WALES has become the first nation in the UK to trial automatic voter registration, as four local authorities launch a new pilot scheme aimed at increasing democratic participation.

The groundbreaking project, unveiled this week, seeks to make voting more accessible and inclusive by reducing the barriers to registration.

Carmarthenshire and Powys will create a replica of the local government register using existing council-held data. This approach will help determine which data sources are most effective at identifying eligible voters without altering the official electoral roll.

Gwynedd, Newport, and Powys will go further by identifying and verifying potential electors directly from council data before adding them to the actual register. In Gwynedd, the pilot also includes targeted outreach to engage communities traditionally underrepresented in elections.

First Minister Eluned Morgan said the pilot reflected the Welsh Government’s commitment to democratic inclusion.

“Whilst we see other countries try to discourage electoral participation for political gain, we in Wales want to see as many people engaged in our democracy as possible,” she said.

“When I first became First Minister last year, I said accountability and delivery would be the watchwords of my government. We’re getting on with delivering on the areas that matter most to the people of Wales, and with these pilots, more people can hold elected officials accountable for what we’re doing.”

Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government, Jayne Bryant MS, added:

“Other parties talk the talk on democratic participation, but it is Welsh Labour that is leading the way on strengthening our democracy – bringing in votes for 16- and 17-year-olds, and now automatic voter registration pilots.

“Would any other party be happy to stand up to scrutiny like this?”

Roch postmaster among those still seeking compensation

THE POST OFFICE has spent more than £600 million of public money continuing to use the discredited Horizon IT system—despite accepting more than a decade ago that it needed replacing.

New documents reveal that then Prime Minister Tony Blair and senior Labour ministers were warned as far back as 1999 about serious flaws in the original £548 million deal with Fujitsu. A Treasury memo at the time flagged that the Post Office would not own the core computer code, leaving them locked into the supplier and vulnerable to spiralling costs. Officials warned Fujitsu could use the situation to “drive a costly settlement.”

Since then, the total spent on Horizon contracts has reached £2.5 billion, including £600 million spent since 2012 when the Post Office first admitted it needed to move on from the system. Replacement efforts have repeatedly failed, with a £40 million IBM project abandoned in 2016 and another attempt scrapped in 2022.

The latest replacement project—an internal system called New Branch IT (NBIT)—has run into delays and ballooning costs, with estimates now topping £1 billion. Despite past failings, the Post Office and Fujitsu are expected to remain in partnership until at least 2030.

The scandal surrounding Horizon continues to grow, following the wrongful prosecution of over 900 sub-postmasters. Although private prosecutions based on Horizon data were halted in 2015, campaigners say the damage done is still being felt by victims across the UK—including here in Pembrokeshire.

One of them is Tim Brentnall, who was just 22 when he and his parents bought the Roch Post Office. In 2010, he was prosecuted after a £22,500 shortfall appeared in the accounts—despite doing nothing wrong. Advised to plead guilty, he received an 18-month suspended sentence and 200 hours of community service. His conviction was quashed in 2021.

Earlier this year, Brentnall told the BBC he was “in disbelief” after being offered less than 17% of the compensation he had claimed. The offer came with a 50-page letter rejecting much of his legal and forensic case, and over 15,000 documents to sift through. He is now re-submitting the claim.

“There are people far older than me who should be enjoying their lives now,” he said. “Instead, they’re still fighting. People are dying without seeing justice. It’s not right.”

The Post Office says it is “fundamentally changing” as an organisation and has paid out more than £768 million to over 5,100 people affected by the Horizon scandal. However, many victims and campaigners say the compensation process remains slow, unfair, and deeply distressing.

Postal minister Gareth Thomas recently confirmed a further £276.9 million in government funding for the Post Office, including £136 million for future IT projects. He said the continued use of Horizon reflected “past underinvestment” and that postmasters needed better tools going forward.

A spokesperson for Tony Blair said the former PM took concerns over the Horizon contract seriously at the time and acted on independent advice. “It is now clear the Horizon product was seriously flawed. Mr Blair has deep sympathy for those affected.”

A separate 1999 memo was also sent to then-Chancellor Gordon Brown, but a spokesperson for Mr Brown said he would not have seen it and had no involvement in awarding the contract.

Despite public statements about reform, doubts remain over whether NBIT will ever be delivered—and whether true justice will ever be achieved for those whose lives were torn apart by the Horizon scandal.

WALES’ longstanding relationship with Japan was reaffirmed and deepened this week during a high-profile investor showcase in Tokyo, part of the Welsh Government’s Year of Wales in Japan 2025 celebrations.

The Wales Investor Showcase, hosted by Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning Rebecca Evans, brought together leading Japanese entrepreneurs and companies across a range of sectors, with a focus on fostering long-term trade links and collaborative ventures.

The event centred on strategic areas of mutual interest, including renewable energy, digital innovation, and advanced manufacturing. It marked a significant moment in the decades-old partnership between the two nations, which began with the first wave of Japanese investment into Wales in the 1970s. Today, over 70 Japanese companies operate in Wales.

Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Evans said: “Deep-rooted connections between Wales and Japan have flourished for generations, with trade links thriving over the last 50 years.

“With the world’s economies searching for stability and growth, now is the perfect time to strengthen our ties with Japan. The optimism surrounding our shared ambitions has been truly inspiring.

“The showcase was about forging new connections, building on existing relationships, and exploring opportunities for sustainable, mutual growth that will benefit both nations for the next 50 years and beyond.

“It also highlighted the skills, creativity and world-class innovation that define modern Wales.”

Kazushi Ambe, Senior Adviser of Sony Group, echoed the importance of the relationship:
“The partnership between Wales and Japan, built over more than half a century, reflects deep mutual respect, shared values, and a strong sense of connection.

“In a time of constant change, it is these enduring qualities that continue to unite us. This showcase was a valuable opportunity to strengthen that bond and explore new avenues for collaboration.

“As both sides embrace new challenges and pursue progress, I hope this partnership will continue to evolve and thrive.”

As part of her visit to Japan, the Cabinet Secretary will also host a Wales Day event at the Osaka Expo, promoting Welsh innovation, culture, and trade potential on the global stage.

In addition, the Welsh Government has announced two upcoming trade missions to Japan later this year, aimed at helping Welsh businesses explore export opportunities in one of Asia’s most significant markets.