News

Campaign planned to unseat Stephen Crabb MP

Published

7 years ago

October 5, 2017

POLITICAL activists from Pembrokeshire and across Wales are gathering ahead of an event which they say will be unprecedented day of political action against Stephen Crabb MP.

Guardian writer and television personality Owen Jones is currently making preparations to stage the event called Unseat Stephen Crabb.

Organisers have that that the event is a day of mass doorstep canvassing and a major rally demonstration in Haverfordwest’s Castle Square at 3pm on Saturday, October 14.

The event is part of the wider campaign to unseat eight prominent Conservative MPs with narrow majorities, including Boris Johnson, Iain Duncan Smith and Amber Rudd. Former leadership hopeful Stephen Crabb’s 314 vote lead in Preseli Pembrokeshire looks set for a major challenge by a wave of concerted post-election activism this autumn, the campaign has said.

Organised by Labour campaign group Momentum, the day is billed to kick off with a canvassing training session led by Jones in Pembrokeshire College, followed by a wide-ranging door-to-door campaign across Haverfordwest, a headline rally in Castle Square at which attendance from Momentum across Wales and Bristol, the People’s Assembly against Austerity and left activists from several parties is expected, and concludes with a comedy and variety night in the Merlin Theatre organised by the Pembrokeshire People’s Assembly group at 6.30 pm.

Following on from a cross-party meeting of the People’s Assembly last month at which high-level representatives from Labour, the Green Party, Plaid Cymru, the Liberal Democrats and Momentum came to an unprecedented agreement to cooperate directly in campaigning against the Conservative incumbent on the basis of a rejection of the government’s economic austerity program, the day’s events form part of a marked transition from previously passive post-electoral campaign policy to several parties, most notably Labour under Jeremy Corbyn, remaining in ‘permanent campaign mode’ indefinitely.

Speakers at the rally expected to be in attendance include Owen Jones; Stop the War Coalition co-founder Chris Nineham; Wales Green Party Leader Grenville Ham; Sue Pasternak of Women against State Pension Inequality; Karen Passmore of Disabled People against Cuts; Mark Evans of UNISON; local anti-bedroom tax and social justice campaigner Paul Rutherford; Swansea-based performers Poets on the Hill; and more.

Stevie Jones, local Momentum organiser, told The Herald: “A rally in Haverfordwest of this kind of magnitude feels like a new category of event entirely for the town, and the enthusiasm we have been getting on the street from the public has been even more amazing than I anticipated.

“It is capturing imagination at an incredible rate, and the mood on the ground in responses we’ve had to it really seem to point to constituents’ thoughts moving to reflect on how poorly the Tories have represented the concerns, needs and ambitions of Preseli Pembrokeshire versus how so many mainstream media outlets fail to examine their record with much real critical scrutiny at all—as well as how something so substantially better is on offer from Labour this time around.”

Dr Louise Tarbuck, Campaign Coordinator for Labour Party Solva and St Davids Branch, said: “The Momentum-Owen Jones rally in Haverfordwest is a really positive way to connect with the people of Pembrokeshire.

“Pembrokeshire is ready for change. The June 2017 reduction of Stephen Crabb’s large majority to just 314 showed people are ready for Labour to bring jobs, homes, investment and real hope to everyone, not just a few.”

“We came so close to unseating Stephen Crabb in the general election, thanks to the dedication and hard work of Labour Party supporters across the county. October 14 will be a great, historic day.”

Jim Scott, convenor of the local People’s Assembly branch, said: “We have been working towards this moment here in Pembrokeshire for many years; it is fantastic that it is all finally coming together.

“October 14 is going to be the most significant and important political demonstration that Pembrokeshire has ever seen.”

Community

Tractor run lights up Pembrokeshire and raises funds for charity

Published

1 day ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE PEMBROKESHIRE ILLUMINATED TRACTOR RUN took place today (Dec 21), raising funds for two vital charities: the Catrin Vaughan Foundation and Wales Air Ambulance.

Starting at Clarbeston Road AFC at 6:00pm, the brightly lit convoy of nearly 200 tractors made its way through Withybush Hospital and Haverfordwest High Street before finishing at the Pembrokeshire County Showground.

The annual event has become a highlight of the festive calendar, drawing large crowds to witness the spectacle of tractors adorned with colourful lights and decorations.

Funds raised from the event will support the Catrin Vaughan Foundation, which provides crucial assistance to families facing hardship, and the Wales Air Ambulance, delivering life-saving emergency medical care across the region.

Organisers praised the dedication of local farmers and volunteers, whose commitment ensures the event’s continued success year after year.

(Image: Nia Marshall/Facebook)

Business

Ferry Terminal ‘extremely busy’ due to ongoing Holyhead closure

Published

2 days ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKE DOCK Ferry Terminal has been experiencing significant congestion today as ferry services remain under immense pressure following the closure of Holyhead Port earlier this month.

The disruption, caused by storm damage, has rerouted ferry traffic through Pembrokeshire, leading to long queues and crowded facilities at the terminal.

The Herald can confirm that it has been very busy today with cars, lorries, and foot passengers queuing in large numbers. Staff are working tirelessly to manage the influx, directing vehicles and assisting passengers as they prepare to board the heavily booked ferries.

A spokesperson for the Port of Milford Haven said: “We are working closely with ferry operators and local authorities to ensure traffic flows as smoothly as possible, but the sheer volume of vehicles is causing unavoidable delays.”

Travelers are being urged to arrive early for their sailings and to remain patient as the terminal operates at full capacity.

Both Stena Line and Irish Ferries have increased capacity on their Pembrokeshire routes, deploying larger vessels, including the Stena Adventurer and the MV James Joyce, to handle the surge in demand.

From our position at the terminal, our photographer has captured photos showing long lines of vehicles, groups of foot passengers carrying luggage, and port staff coordinating efforts to ease congestion.

Authorities are advising non-essential travelers to consider rescheduling their journeys where possible and to monitor updates from ferry operators closely.

(Photos: Martin Cavaney/Herald)

Community

Festive celebrations at St Davids Cathedral this weekend

Published

2 days ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

ST DAVIDS Cathedral is set to host two special events on Sunday (Dec 22), offering a blend of joyful participation and traditional carol singing to mark the Christmas season.

In the morning, families are invited to the Scratch Nativity at 11:00am. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed as wise men, angels, sheep, or shepherds and take part in an unrehearsed retelling of the Christmas story. Canon Leigh described the event as: “Complete, wonderful chaos for an hour… but with some poignant, thought-provoking moments to centre ourselves on the real meaning of Christmas.”

Later in the evening, the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols by Candlelight will take place at 7:00pm, featuring the Cathedral Choir. The event, steeped in tradition, will see the cathedral bathed in candlelight as carols and scripture readings fill the historic space.

Doors will open at 5:45pm for those seeking unreserved seating, and a large turnout is expected for this beloved Christmas celebration.