News

Campaign planned to unseat Stephen Crabb MP

Published

8 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

Community gathers to remember Corrina Baker

Published

10 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Lanterns and balloons released in emotional acts of remembrance

FAMILY, friends and members of the local community came together to remember Corrina Baker at a series of moving events held across west Wales this week.

Corrina’s funeral took place on Monday (Dec 15), a month after her death, with a public service held at St Mary’s Church. Mourners lined the route as her coffin was carried on its final journey in an elegant horse-drawn carriage, before a private cremation later took place at Parc Gwyn crematorium in Narberth.

Later that evening, shortly after 6:00pm, friends and relatives gathered at the Quayside in Cardigan for the first of two acts of remembrance to celebrate her life. Lanterns were lit and released into the night sky above the town as some of Corrina’s favourite songs were played.

On Tuesday afternoon (Dec 16), a second tribute was held near the location where Corrina was found. Twenty-one pink balloons — one for each year of her life — were released into a clear blue sky, each carrying personal messages in her memory.

Floral tributes continue to be laid at the Netpool, while a GoFundMe appeal set up in Corrina’s memory has raised more than £2,300. She has been described by those who knew her as “funny and bright”.

Dyfed-Powys Police have confirmed that their investigation into the circumstances surrounding Ms Baker’s death is ongoing. A 29-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of murder has been released on bail while inquiries continue.

(Photos: Stuart Ladd/Herald)

Community

Six untaxed vehicles seized in Milford Haven police operation

Published

11 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Tom Sinclair

SIX untaxed and abandoned vehicles were seized during a joint roads policing operation in Milford Haven on Tuesday morning.

Officers from the Milford Haven Neighbourhood Policing and Prevention Team (NPPT) worked alongside the Pembrokeshire Roads Policing Team as part of targeted enforcement across the town.

In addition to the vehicle seizures, a number of traffic offence reports were issued to drivers during the operation.

Police said the action formed part of ongoing efforts to improve road safety and tackle vehicle-related offences in the Milford Haven area.

Community

Candlelit carol service brings community together in Milford Haven

Published

11 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Tom Sinclair

ST KATHARINE and St Peter’s Church in Milford Haven hosted its annual Candlelit Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, bringing together members of the community for a traditional celebration of Christmas.

The service featured readings from the Mayor of Milford Haven, representatives of the Soroptimists, Milford Haven Amateur Operatic Society, the Headteacher and Head Prefects of Milford Haven School, Milford Haven Town Band, and NCI Wooltack Point.

Music for the evening was provided by organist Seimon Morris, Milford Haven Town Band and the Milford Haven Cluster Band, whose performances added to the atmosphere of the candlelit service.

The Friends of St Katharine and St Peter’s Church thanked all those involved and wished the community a happy Christmas.