News
Liz Truss confirmed as the new Prime Minister

LIZ TRUSS was confirmed as the new leader of the Conservative Party on Monday, September 5.
The widely-tipped victory saw Ms Truss capture 80,000 out of 140,000 votes from Conservative members.
Her margin of victory, 57% to 43%, is comfortable but nowhere near the levels suggested earlier in the campaign.
In her first speech, she claimed she would fulfil the pledges made in the Party’s 2019 election manifesto and praised her predecessor, the disgraced Boris Johnson, for getting Brexit done.
“Leave cannot name one country we would get a better trade deal with if we left the EU.”
At least Liz Truss’s six-year-old prediction about the benefits of Brexit came true.
It also highlights her remarkable capacity to rewrite her past and her fellow Conservatives’ collective amnesia about her.
Liz Truss comes from a comfortable middle-class background.
Her father is an emeritus professor of pure mathematics at the University of Leeds, while her mother was a nurse, teacher, and member of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament.
Liz Truss describes her parents as “to the left of Labour.”
She attended the highly-rated Roundhay School in one of Leeds’s more pleasant suburbs. She went to Oxford University to study Politics, Philosophy, and Economics.
She graduated in 1996.
During her time at University, she became President of its Liberal Democrat Society and, in 1994, spoke in favour of the monarchy’s abolition at the Party’s national conference and supported the legalisation of cannabis.
After graduating in 1996, she joined the Conservative Party and promoted the value of mathematics teaching to all students in full-time education.
After entering Parliament in 2010, in 2012, she became a junior minister in David Cameron’s government.
After making an impact in her role in the Department of Education, she got a big promotion to the position of Environment Secretary. In that role, she accepted climate change was happening and promoted the end of pesticides that harmed bee populations.
She reversed her positions within a year, backing the lifting of a ban on such pesticides and ending subsidies supporting the extension of solar energy.
During the Referendum campaign of 2016, she was an ardent Remainer, saying: “I am backing remain as I believe it is in Britain’s economic interest and means we can focus on vital economic and social reform at home.”
She also said: “After the 2016 Referendum, she underwent a dramatic conversion to become an ardent Brexiteer – again blown by the prevailing wind in a direction that would further her career ambitions.”
As a disastrous Justice Secretary, she undermined the independence of the judiciary and oversaw a large increase in violence in prisons.
As a reward, she was shunted to the position of Chief Secretary to the Treasury. After backing Boris Johnson in 2019, she became International Trade Secretary. During that time, she signed trade agreements with the UK’s trading partners on strikingly worse terms than the UK had during its EU membership. She also became the UK’s chief negotiator with the EU and rapidly ran those negotiations into the sand.
From radical Liberal Democrat to right-wing Conservative; from ardent Remainer to enthusiastic Brexiteer; the only constants in Liz Truss’s political views have been her views on individual liberty and the pursuit of career advancement.
A strong supporter of David Cameron; a stalwart of Theresa May’s cabinet; a fervent early adopter of the Boris Johnson cult; Liz Truss will be the UK’s fourth Prime Minister in six years and the third in a row who has risen to the post without facing a General Election.
Her inbox would be extraordinarily challenging, even for someone widely regarded as almost as intellectually negligible and facile as her predecessor.
Liz Truss doesn’t have time to build a brand or establish her authority.
She must hit the ground running with fresh ideas to tackle the UK’s massive economic challenges, the fallout from a shambolic Brexit deal agreed by her predecessor, the cost-of-living crisis, the energy crisis, spiralling inflation, the possibility of a recession, Russia’s war in Ukraine, and delivering all the promises on tax cuts she made during the leadership campaign.
Most importantly, she must signal a clear break with the sleaze, patronage, and low standards of public life that forced Boris Johnson and compelled almost his entire ministerial team to quit when the stench of scandal became too much for them.
Against that background, survival to 2024 and beyond will be a massive achievement.
POLITICAL VOICES FROM WALES ON NEW PM
Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies MS said: “I am delighted that Liz has been elected party leader and will be our next Prime Minister, especially having backed her during the contest.
“Throughout her political career and this contest, we have seen someone with the tenacity, ideas, and stoicism required to lead the Conservatives into the next election and the country through a difficult period.
“There is a lot of work to be getting on with, especially in tackling the cost-of-living crisis, and I look forward to seeing Liz’s ideas put into action to alleviate the struggle millions are facing.
“It is now time to unite behind our new leader, and further build on our record of delivering for Wales and the wider United Kingdom.”
Predictably, Labour in Wales are not happy.
Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens told this newspaper: “Liz Truss has her fingerprints all over the crime scene of the past 12 years of Tory failure. She reliably parroted Boris Johnson’s lies and voted for the 15 tax rises the Tories have imposed in the last two years. At every turn, she’s shown people she can’t be trusted.
“Households right across Wales needed action from the Tory Government to tackle their cost of living catastrophe months ago. Nearly nine weeks on from the start of her leadership campaign, Truss still has no plan and no ideas to address the crisis people and businesses are dealing with.”
Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire MS Samuel Kurtz has congratulated the country’s next Prime Minister
Commenting on the news, Samuel Kurtz MS told The Herald: “Congratulations to Liz Truss for securing this victory. Whilst I supported Rishi Sunak, the Conservative Party has always had a wealth of talented individuals, and Liz is certainly one.
“The Party must now come together behind our new PM.
“We have some real challenges ahead of us – both abroad and at home – which the incoming Prime Minister must get to grips with. I have faith that Liz Truss has the ability to support the public as we navigate the oncoming winter.
“As we move forward, my priority is ensuring that the communities I represent get the assistance and support they need as we enter these challenging months ahead.
“I’ll be working with my colleagues in Westminster to ensure that support reaches every household in West Wales.”
Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds MS said: “Under Liz Truss we are set to see more of the chaos that we saw under Boris Johnson. From failing to deal with the cost-of-living emergency, to letting small and medium businesses face the winter alone, to failing to deal with the climate crisis, the Conservatives have shown they don’t care, have no plan and have failed our country.
“The Conservatives may have changed leader, but after twelve years in power at Westminster the Conservatives have shown they are out of ideas, out of energy and out of touch.
“First the government needs to urgently scrap October’s energy price rise to avoid a social catastrophe for families and pensioners this winter. Then we need a general election, to get the Conservatives out of power and deliver the real change Wales needs.”
Business
RM Training and Security Solutions Ltd: Securing Pembrokeshire’s future

IN AN INDUSTRY where reliability, professionalism, and experience are paramount, RM Training and Security Solutions Ltd has emerged as a leading provider of security services and training across Wales. Founded in November 2021 by Company Director Ryan Mayne and Kerry Mcreynolds, they were joined by General Manager Mathew Davies in 2022, the company has grown into a trusted name in the security sector, offering high-quality training programs, security staffing, and event protection.
Now, with a team of around 300 employees, RM Training is poised to expand its operations in Pembrokeshire and beyond, ensuring businesses, event organisers, and hospitality venues have access to qualified security personnel in a sector where demand is at an all-time high.
From high-risk security to building a future in Pembrokeshire

For Ryan Mayne, the security industry is not just a business—it’s a lifelong career shaped by real-world experience in high-risk environments. With over two decades in top-tier security roles, Ryan has worked in some of the UK’s largest clubs, corporate settings, and high-profile protection services, dealing with situations that were often tense, unpredictable, and dangerous.
“When I think back to some of the things I saw and some of the incidents I had to deal with, it scares me,” Ryan reflects.
But his life changed during the COVID-19 pandemic when the Home Office deployed him to Pembrokeshire to help manage refugee and asylum seeker security operations. It was here that he fell in love with the county, leading to a decision that would shape both his personal and professional future.
“I was deployed to a site near Tenby, and it didn’t take me long to realise just how fantastic Pembrokeshire is,” Ryan explains. “I knew this was the place where I wanted to build something new.”
That decision was cemented by his relationship with Tenby native Kerry McReynolds, who he is due to marry in September.
“We knew Pembrokeshire was the place where we wanted to bring up our children,” Ryan says. “So it made sense to set up the company here too.”
While Ryan handles the strategic direction and business growth, Kerry plays a pivotal role in the company’s success, managing client relations, staff retention, and back-office operations, all while raising their two-year-old son, Archie.
“She’s the driving force,” Ryan says. “None of this would be possible without her.”

When it comes to ensuring the smooth operation of a security business, General Manager Mathew Davies is the man who makes it happen. With a background in both military and civilian security, Mathew brings a wealth of experience, discipline, and leadership to RM Training and Security Solutions Ltd, making him a key figure in its rapid growth and ongoing success.
Since joining forces with Company Director Ryan Mayne, Mathew has played a pivotal role in overseeing the company’s day-to-day operations, staff training, and client relationships, helping RM Training establish itself as one of the leading security providers in Pembrokeshire and South Wales.
Mathew’s journey into the security industry was forged through years of hands-on experience in demanding environments. His military background instilled a strong sense of discipline, leadership, and strategic thinking, all of which have proven invaluable in his role at RM Training.
After transitioning into civilian security, Mathew quickly climbed the ranks, demonstrating a deep understanding of risk management, personnel coordination, and high-pressure decision-making. These skills now form the backbone of RM Training’s success, ensuring that every security operation runs seamlessly.
Empowering Pembrokeshire’s Workforce with security training
One of RM Training and Security Solutions Ltd’s primary objectives is to provide local people with a structured pathway into the security industry.
The company offers over 140 online and practical courses, covering a wide spectrum of security roles including: Door supervision for pubs, clubs, and licensed venues
Corporate security for offices and commercial spaces
Retail security for shopping centres and stores
Event and festival security
Site and property security
A core focus is Security Industry Authority (SIA) accredited training, ensuring trainees receive recognised qualifications required to work in the sector.
Their newly established office in Port Talbot is also playing a key role in retraining workers affected by the Tata Steel job losses, helping individuals transition into security careers following redundancy.
“Our goal is not just to train people but to give them career progression opportunities,” Ryan explains. “This industry is about keeping people safe, and that starts with having well-trained professionals.”
Expanding security services across Wales

Beyond training, RM Training and Security Solutions Ltd provides security services for a wide range of businesses. The company currently supports: Bars, pubs, and nightclubs struggling to find licensed and reliable door staff
Retail and corporate businesses in need of on-site security operatives
Festivals and major events requiring crowd management teams
Close protection and private security clients
With over 200 events already booked for 2024, RM Training is becoming the go-to security provider for major gatherings across South Wales.
But for General Manager Mathew Davies, ensuring quality and reliability is just as important as expansion.
“He’s the one who makes sure the staff are doing what they’re supposed to be doing, while offering them all the support they need,” says Ryan. “Mathew works 24/7 to ensure our high standards never slip.”
The company now aims to secure additional security contracts across Pembrokeshire, addressing a major shortage of trained security personnel in the region.
“The reality is that there simply aren’t enough trained security professionals in Pembrokeshire,” Ryan explains. “Businesses struggle to find reliable door staff and event security. We’re here to fix that.”
The future for RM Training & Security Solutions Ltd
As RM Training and Security Solutions Ltd continues its growth trajectory, the company remains committed to: Expanding its presence in Pembrokeshire and South Wales
Training the next generation of security professionals
Providing reliable security solutions to businesses and event organisers
Raising awareness of the industry’s importance in safeguarding communities
With a dedicated team, strong leadership, and a clear vision, RM Training is not just building a security business—it’s building a safer Pembrokeshire.
For more information, visit:
www.rmtrainingandsecuritysolutionsltd.co.uk
[email protected]
01834 526418
Business
Welsh food and drink strengthen Welsh and Japanese ties

A DELEGATION of Welsh companies have recently visited Japan, as the industry continues to target opening new markets for its food and drink products.
Foodex Japan is Asia’s largest food and drink exhibition, with the Welsh Government supporting the presence of a number of producers under the Cymru/Wales banner.
The visit comes against a backdrop of wider events being held as part of ‘Wales and Japan 2025’, which is a year-long campaign by the Welsh Government to stimulate new economic and cultural partnerships between the two nations, with the aim of bringing long-lasting benefits to both countries.

Wales has long-standing economic ties with Japan, particularly due to inward investment by Japanese companies into Wales since the 1970s, and is currently home to 70 Japanese companies.
The Welsh delegation at Foodex included a specially made eki stamp at their exhibition stall. Eki stamps are collectible rubber ink stamps found at many train stations in Japan, and are a form of souvenir with designs typically featuring landmarks, mascots, or locally produced goods. As part of the ‘Wales and Japan 2025’ celebrations, Welsh illustrator Jonathan Edwards has created a series of five unique designs which celebrate the culture of the two nations.
Among the Welsh exhibitors at Foodex Japan were Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales (HCC), Aber Falls, Café de Manha, The Lobster Pot and Morning Foods.
HCC also hosted a ‘Celebration of Welsh Lamb’ event in conjunction with Welsh Government at a restaurant in Tokyo, which specialises in lamb. Chef Kazuhiro Kikuchi is a well-known advocate of lamb, having published ‘Tokyo Lamb Story’, and presented a chef’s table of Welsh lamb for buyers and potential customers.
The latest figures on Welsh food and drink exports show that their value has risen by £243m – or 43% – since 2019. Welsh food and drink exports to non-EU countries were worth £202m in 2023, which is an increase of £63m since 2019, with the value of exported goods to Asia and Oceania during 2023 being £46m, a 34% increase from £34m in 2019.
The Welsh Government’s Deputy First Minister with responsibility for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies, said,
“Foodex Japan is always an important event for Welsh food and drink companies, as we continue our push to open new markets and show what we can offer on a global scale.
“It is especially important this year as we celebrate the rich cultural and economic ties between Wales and Japan. It is an opportunity to develop and strengthen our relationships, and I’m sure the companies flying the flag for Wales will be able to build new and meaningful partnerships that are beneficial to both countries.”
A four-day event held at Tokyo Big Sight, Foodex Japan plays host to over 2,500 food and drink companies from more than 60 countries and regions. It is a hub for food and drink buyers from across Asia, as well as Japan, and provides a key opportunity to promote and build on the reputation of Welsh food and drink and connect with new customers across the region.
One of the companies in the delegation is whisky producer, Aber Falls. Talking about the visit, Managing Director Edward Williamson said,
“We’re keen to grow our exports and are really grateful for the support of Welsh Government to be able to attend events such as these.
“Increasingly whisky from Wales has a fantastic story to tell, with a number of distilleries, including ours, securing coveted PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) status. This shows how unique our product is, with a taste that cannot be replicated anywhere else in the world. The chance to raise awareness of this story in such an important whisky market as Japan, and Asia more generally, is fantastic, and we plan to make the most of it.
Another company looking to expand their offering overseas is Anglesey-based The Lobster Pot. With a history of supplying Welsh pot caught lobster dating back to 1946, the company is hopeful that the trip will help open new markets. Julie Hill from The Lobster Pot said,
“Events such as Foodex gives us an opportunity to show what Welsh produce can offer the world.
“We’re able to give our customers a fantastic product, which is quality, sustainably-sourced shellfish. As experienced exporters to Japan, we’re hopeful that the visit will help build on our current relationships, as well as opening new opportunities in the country, and the rest of Asia.”
For more information on how the Welsh Government can assist your business with reaching new markets through trade events visit https://businesswales.gov.wales/foodanddrink/growing-your-business/trade-events
For more information on how the Welsh Government can assist your business with exporting please visit https://businesswales.gov.wales/export/
Crime
Calls to amend payout rules for wrongly convicted

A PEMBROKESHIRE man who spent five years behind bars for a crime he did not commit has been denied compensation under what legal experts describe as an “inhumane” and “cruel” government policy.
Brian Buckle, who was exonerated of all charges in 2023 after a gruelling legal battle, has spoken of his devastation upon receiving a rejection letter from the Ministry of Justice. The letter acknowledged his innocence but stated that he had failed to prove “beyond a reasonable doubt” that he had not committed the crimes.
The decision has reignited fierce debate over the 2014 law change that places the burden of proof on victims of wrongful conviction, a policy unique to England and Wales. Critics argue that the system is designed to minimise payouts, leaving innocent individuals without financial support to rebuild their lives after years of wrongful imprisonment.
FIVE YEARS BEHIND BARS FOR A CRIME HE DID NOT COMMIT
Mr Buckle was imprisoned in 2017 after being convicted of sexual offences he always denied. His case was finally overturned after a five-year fight that saw his legal team present new witnesses and fresh forensic evidence during a three-week retrial. A jury took just over an hour to return a unanimous “not guilty” verdict.
But despite being completely exonerated, Mr Buckle has been denied compensation for his ordeal. The legal fees required to clear his name totalled nearly £500,000, a sum he was eligible to claim in compensation. However, his application was refused on the grounds that he had not met the “beyond reasonable doubt” standard of proof that he did not commit the crimes — despite the courts ruling that he was innocent.
“I just burst out crying when I read the letter,” said Mr Buckle. “What more do I need to do to prove I’m innocent? I’ve lost five years of my life, my job, my pension. People are absolutely gobsmacked when I tell them I’ve been refused compensation.”
A LAW DESIGNED TO DENY PAYOUTS?
The 2014 law change, introduced by the Conservative-Lib Dem coalition government, shifted the burden onto the wrongly convicted to prove their innocence beyond reasonable doubt. Critics say this effectively “reverses the presumption of innocence” and was introduced to limit government compensation payments.
Since 2016, 93% of applications for miscarriage of justice compensation have been rejected, according to government figures. Leading barrister Stephen Vullo KC, who represented Mr Buckle, has described the system as “almost impossibly high” and “designed to ensure money is not paid out.”
“It’s not by accident, it’s by design,” he said. “It sends a message that the state doesn’t accept responsibility when it gets things wrong.”
The injustice of the current system has been further exposed by the government’s handling of the Post Office Horizon scandal. Unlike individual miscarriage of justice cases, which have been largely ignored, thousands of wrongfully convicted sub-postmasters were awarded compensation only after overwhelming public pressure, following the ITV drama “Mr Bates vs The Post Office.”
“The government’s response is driven by fear of embarrassment,” said Mr Vullo. “The system should be fair so that everybody receives compensation, not just those whose cases attract media attention.”
Legal experts argue that England and Wales must follow Scotland, Northern Ireland, and most of Europe, where wrongful conviction compensation is awarded based on the miscarriage of justice itself, without requiring proof of innocence.
LOCAL MP FIGHTS FOR JUSTICE

Mr Buckle’s case has caught the attention of Ceredigion MP Ben Lake, who has vowed to fight for a change in the law. He is hosting a debate in Westminster to highlight the injustices faced by victims of wrongful conviction.
“I was appalled when I heard Brian’s story,” said Mr Lake. “Miscarriages of justice have always happened and always will. But when the state makes a mistake and an innocent person spends years behind bars, it should ensure they are compensated for that injustice.”
Mr Lake is pushing for the law to be reversed and made retrospective so that people like Mr Buckle can claim the compensation they deserve.
A FAMILY DEVASTATED BY INJUSTICE
The years spent in prison have left Mr Buckle suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and the emotional toll has extended to his family. His daughter Georgia has spoken openly about her own struggles, including suicidal thoughts during her father’s imprisonment.
“I’m definitely not the same person I was before,” said Mr Buckle. “I can’t keep a job because my head is all over the place. Every single night, all I dream about is being in prison or trying to get out.”
He believes an apology and compensation would be a step towards recognising the harm done to him.
“I will take what happened to me to the grave. Money won’t change how I am mentally, but it’s about the principle — the justice system admitting they got it wrong.”
With pressure mounting and a Law Commission review of the compensation system underway, there is growing hope that the law may be overturned. For Mr Buckle and others like him, that change cannot come soon enough.
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