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March for Gaza: Pembrokeshire rally against Israeli actions

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SOLIDARITY with Palestine Pembrokeshire and the Stop the War Coalition Pembrokeshire have announced a significant protest set to take place this Saturday, 29 June. The demonstration, titled ‘March for Gaza: End the Genocide, Stop Arming Israel,’ will begin at 1 PM in Castle Square, Haverfordwest. The event is supported by several regional groups, including the Ceredigion Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Carmarthen Palestine Solidarity Group, Swansea Palestine, FBU Wales, and PCS Wales.

In a powerful statement, Solidarity with Palestine Pembrokeshire has highlighted the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The group cited data from the United Nations, revealing that approximately 40,000 Palestinians have been killed, including over 9,500 women and 14,500 children. The group emphasised the severity of these figures, noting the dire situation facing the people of Gaza.

The statement detailed recent attacks, including the massacre of 274 Palestinians, with at least 64 children among the victims, in the Nuseirat refugee camp on 8 June. Furthermore, an Israeli airstrike on an UNWRA aid centre resulted in the deaths of eight individuals two days ago, followed by another airstrike in Gaza City that killed dozens yesterday.

Solidarity with Palestine Pembrokeshire criticised the lack of media coverage on these atrocities, pointing out that recent headlines have been dominated by the Tory betting scandal and other election news. The group accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israeli Defence Force of committing war crimes, including the deliberate starvation of the Gaza population, crimes recognised by both the International Court of Justice and the United Nations.

The statement also condemned Western support for Israel, highlighting financial and political backing that enables the ongoing violence. Locally, the group pointed to the Dyfed Pension Fund, which has invested over £64 million in Israel, and the presence of Barclays bank, a supporter of Israel, at Pembrokeshire County Council’s County Hall.

The protest organisers were particularly critical of Stephen Crabb, MP for Preseli Pembrokeshire and Chair of the Conservative Friends of Israel. Crabb has made multiple trips to Israel and received £23,000 in donations from the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In response to Crabb’s claim that his support for Israel is based on values of liberalism, tolerance, democracy, and freedom, the group questioned how these values align with what they describe as Israel’s 76-year campaign of ethnic cleansing against the Palestinian people.

As residents of Pembrokeshire, the organisers expressed their shame at being represented by Crabb and expressed hope that he will be voted out of office in the upcoming election on 4 July, allowing them to continue their fight for justice for Palestine.

The ‘March for Gaza’ protest will begin at 1 PM on Saturday, 29 June, in Castle Square, Haverfordwest. The organisers invite all supporters of Palestinian rights and justice to join them in their call to end the violence and bring attention to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

 

Crime

Milford Haven disturbance sees two women arrested

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TWO WOMEN were arrested following a disturbance at the Mount Estate in Milford Haven on Saturday night (May 9).

The Herald understands the arrests followed an altercation involving four people.

Video circulating on social media shows two women lying face down on the ground outside while handcuffed and restrained by police officers.

In the footage, officers can be heard telling one woman that she is being arrested on suspicion of assaulting police.

Both women were then taken away, each flanked by officers.

Other women can be seen speaking to those detained while they remain on the ground.

The Herald has contacted Dyfed-Powys Police for further details, including confirmation of the number of arrests, the nature of the incident, and whether anyone was injured.

 

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Wales enters new political era after historic Senedd election

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WALES has entered a new political era after voters delivered the biggest political upheaval since devolution.

Plaid Cymru emerged as the largest party in the Senedd, Reform UK surged into second place, and Welsh Labour was reduced to its worst result since the creation of Welsh devolution in 1999.

The result ends Labour’s long dominance of Welsh politics and leaves Cardiff Bay facing weeks of negotiations over who will form the next Welsh Government.

Labour dominance ends

For the first time since the Senedd was created, Labour is no longer the largest party in Wales.

The party fell to just nine seats in the expanded 96-member chamber, a result which has sent shockwaves through Welsh politics.

First Minister Eluned Morgan also lost her own seat in Ceredigion Penfro before announcing that she would stand down as Welsh Labour leader.

The scale of the defeat reflects deep public frustration over the NHS, public services, the cost of living, and the perception that Welsh Labour had run out of energy after decades in power.

Ken Skates has now been appointed interim Welsh Labour leader as the party begins what is likely to be a long and painful rebuilding process.

Plaid’s historic breakthrough

Plaid Cymru finished as the largest party with 43 seats, a landmark result for Rhun ap Iorwerth and his party.

It is the closest Plaid has ever come to forming a government in Wales, and gives the party the clear first opportunity to try to lead the next Welsh Government.

However, Plaid fell short of the 49 seats needed for an outright majority.

That means Rhun ap Iorwerth must now decide whether to seek a formal coalition, a confidence-and-supply arrangement, or attempt to govern as a minority administration.

The party campaigned strongly on the NHS, childcare, housing, rural Wales and economic renewal. It must now show that it can move from opposition into government and turn those promises into delivery.

Rhun ap Iorwerth after the election result was announced

Reform becomes major force

The other major story of the election was the dramatic rise of Reform UK.

The party won 34 seats, becoming the second-largest group in the Senedd and reshaping the political map across Wales.

Reform made major gains in former Labour heartlands, particularly in areas where voters have become disillusioned with Cardiff Bay politics and traditional party loyalties.

Dan Thomas, Reform Leader in Wales, after being elected (Image: BBC)

Its success means the next Senedd will be noisier, more confrontational, and far less predictable than before.

Reform will now have a large platform from which to challenge Plaid Cymru, Welsh Labour and the Conservatives on public services, immigration, the economy, and the future direction of Wales.

Dan Thomas, Reform Leader in Wales, talks to the BBC about Reforms impressive ‘trajectory’ into Wales

Smaller parties gain ground

The Conservatives were reduced to seven seats, leaving them much diminished after years of trying to present themselves as the main alternative to Labour.

The Wales Green Party won two seats, giving the party its first real foothold in the Senedd.

The Welsh Liberal Democrats won one seat, ensuring they remain represented in Cardiff Bay.

The new electoral system, which expanded the Senedd from 60 to 96 members and introduced 16 larger constituencies electing six MSs each, helped create a far more proportional result.

It has also produced a chamber in which smaller parties and tactical negotiations will matter more than ever.

Former First Minister Eluned Morgan arrives at the count in Ceredigion, accompanies by Labour candidate Cllr Marc Tierney

What happens next?

The key issue now is who can command enough support to govern.

Plaid Cymru, as the largest party, will be expected to lead the process of forming an administration.

But without a majority, every major vote will matter. Budgets, major laws, confidence votes and key policy decisions will all require careful negotiation.

A formal deal with another party may prove difficult. A minority Plaid government is possible, but it would need support from other MSs to survive.

That means the next few weeks could be decisive for the future of Wales.

A changed country

This was more than a bad night for Labour or a breakthrough for Plaid and Reform.

It was a clear sign that Welsh politics has changed.

Old loyalties have weakened. Voters who once backed the same party for generations have shown they are prepared to move. The next Senedd will be more divided, more unpredictable, and more difficult to control.

For Wales, the message is stark.

The Labour era is over. Plaid Cymru now has its greatest opportunity yet. Reform UK has arrived as a major force. And whoever forms the next Welsh Government will have to prove quickly that change means more than a different set of faces in Cardiff Bay.

 

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Haverfordwest Castle redevelopment on track for 2028 reopening

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Major project will create new visitor attraction, events space, museum and improved town links

HAVERFORDWEST Castle is on course to reopen in 2028 following a major redevelopment project aimed at transforming the historic site into a high-quality visitor attraction.

County Councillor Thomas Tudor, who represents the Castle Ward in Haverfordwest, recently visited the site to see the progress being made.

He said: “As County Councillor for the Castle Ward in Haverfordwest, it was lovely to visit the Haverfordwest Castle Redevelopment Project and see the progress that has been achieved.

“I am very much looking forward to the Castle reopening in 2028.”

The project will see the mediaeval castle conserved for future generations, while the Inner Bailey has been landscaped so it can host events for up to 500 people.

These could include concerts, plays, craft fairs, Christmas markets and other community events.

The wider castle grounds are also being improved, with new interpretation explaining the history of the site, as well as family-friendly activities.

The building which houses Haverfordwest Museum, the Governor’s House, is being conserved, while the museum exhibition inside will be completely refurbished and modernised.

The former gaol building will also be transformed into a visitor attraction telling the story of Pembrokeshire’s past and future in an interactive and family-friendly way.

The attraction will include a café, shop, community spaces and exhibition areas.

Work is also taking place to improve the physical route between the castle and the town centre at Castle Back, with better signage planned to help visitors find the castle and navigate Haverfordwest more easily.

The castle is expected to reopen in 2028.

 

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