News

Haverfordwest: Rally to unseat MP takes to streets

Published

7 years ago

October 17, 2017

HUNDREDS of people took to the streets of Haverfordwest on Saturday (Oct 14) as part of a campaign to unseat Preseli Pembrokeshire’s Conservative MP.

Organised by Labour campaign group Momentum, the rally – which was the first such event since the Suffragettes visited in 1908 – featured television personality and author Owen Jones along with politicians and activists.

The event, described as ‘an unprecedented day of action against local Tory MP Stephen Crabb’, followed a cross-party meeting of the People’s Assembly last month, at which senior members of Labour, Plaid Cymru, the Green Party, the Lib Dems and Momentum came to an agreement to cooperate in campaigning directly against the MP.

In June’s snap General Election, Mr Crabb’s majority was cut to 314 from almost 5,000 as the Conservative Party led by Theresa May lost their majority and formed a minority government supported by the DUP.

Subsequently, the Labour Party has remained on an election footing, and Saturday’s rally in Haverfordwest formed part of a wider Momentum-led campaign to unseat eight prominent Tory MPs.

Labour AM Eluned Morgan opened proceedings, stating that without a Labour Government in Westminster, the Welsh Assembly was ‘restricted’.

Ms Morgan criticised Mr Crabb for ‘taking his own constituent to court’ when he was DWP minister. “People here know the name of Stephen Crabb, but not in a good way,” she added, telling the crowd that ‘without Preseli Pembrokeshire, Jeremy Corbyn will not be Prime Minister’.

Branch Secretary of Carmarthenshire Unison Mark Evans said that the workforce across local authorities had been reduced by 20% over the past five years. “This is causing stress levels to rise – it is not unusual for our members to be working four or five jobs to make ends meet,” he added, recommending that local authorities led by Labour and Plaid Cymru should refuse to implement cuts and instead take money from reserves.

Local activist and Head of the People’s Assembly Jim Scott thanked Mr Crabb ‘for getting everyone this active’, while leader of the Green Party in Wales Grenville Ham claimed he had entered politics after being ‘haunted’ by footage of Stephen Crabb dancing.

Other high-profile speakers included Paul Rutherford who successfully took the DWP to the Supreme Court over the bedroom tax, and representatives of Disabled People Against Cuts and Women Against State Pension Inequality, along with Ceredigion’s candidate in 2017 Dinah Mulholland.

However, the star speaker was Owen Jones, who told an audience of over 200 people that ‘if we have an inspiring message we can turn things around’.

“This Tory government, just a few months ago was drunk on its own triumphalism – now look at them, fighting amongst themselves like rats in a sack,” he added, to loud cheers.

Explaining that this was the first such rally in Haverfordwest since 1908, Mr Jones referenced the history of protest movements including the Chartists and the Suffragettes. “We stand on the shoulders of giants,” he said.

It is not clear whether, given that it could be anywhere up to four-and-a-half years until the next general election, what direct impact if any this Momentum-led campaign will have, but it clearly touched a nerve with numerous attenders. One told The Herald that it was ‘great to see people getting off their a***s and doing something’.

The rally was followed by a comedy event in the Merlins Theatre that evening, which featured performers including The Artist Taxi Driver.

Community

Tractor run lights up Pembrokeshire and raises funds for charity

Published

14 hours 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

22 hours 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

22 hours 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.