News

First Minister’s summer listening tour branded a ‘PR stunt’ by Plaid Cymru

Published

2 years ago

September 10, 2024

THE WELSH GOVERNMENT has been forced to defend First Minister Eluned Morgan’s summer “listening tour”, following accusations from Plaid Cymru that the initiative was merely a public relations exercise.

Ms Morgan, who took office as Wales’ First Minister in August, has stated that her summer was spent engaging with voters across the country, gathering insights into their concerns. She claims that these discussions will play a crucial role in shaping the government’s priorities for the coming year.

However, the Welsh Government has come under fire from Plaid Cymru, which has questioned the substance of the listening exercise. Opposition figures have criticised the lack of clarity regarding the aims and objectives of the tour, as well as how its outcomes will be evaluated.

The government’s response to these criticisms has been vague, with a spokesperson stating that the First Minister’s conversations with the public will inform the priorities to be announced at the start of the Senedd term.

‘No measurable outcomes’

During her appearance on the BBC’s Newscast podcast last week, Ms Morgan emphasised the importance of connecting with the public, saying she had spent the summer “getting out, listening to what people have to say all over Wales, getting a really unfiltered view of what they think we should be doing”.

She acknowledged that the implementation of 20mph speed limits had been raised as a contentious issue during her discussions. “Part of the problem of being in power for so long as Labour has in Wales – 25 years governing Wales – is how do you reinvent yourself while you’re in office?” she reflected. “For me, the important thing is to make sure that you reflect on the priorities of the public.”

Despite the First Minister’s efforts to present the tour as an opportunity to hear from the electorate, Plaid Cymru’s Rhun ap Iorwerth has expressed scepticism. In August, he submitted a written question asking for details on the objectives of the exercise, how it would be evaluated, and how the data would be collected. Ms Morgan declined to answer directly, instead referring him to an earlier response given to Conservative member Sam Rowlands, in which she simply reiterated her intention to listen to the concerns of Welsh citizens.

Mr ap Iorwerth did not hold back in his criticism: “Much like many Labour Welsh Government ambitions, the First Minister’s ‘listening exercise’ has no measurable outcomes or evaluation process. It has proved to be little more than a PR stunt to try and curry favour with the public after months of Labour infighting.”

“What was really required this summer was a government getting to work to address the significant challenges facing our economy and public services,” he added.

Opposition questions the tour’s credibility

Videos shared by the Welsh Government on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) show Ms Morgan engaging with communities in Ebbw Vale, Merthyr Tydfil, and parts of North Wales. Welsh Labour also launched an online questionnaire to gather further feedback.

However, opposition parties, including Plaid Cymru, have voiced concerns about the lack of structure and transparency surrounding the tour. Nation.Cymru reported that there were no scheduled events for the tour, further raising questions about its legitimacy.

The Welsh Government has dismissed these concerns, maintaining that the First Minister’s informal engagements were intended to offer a platform for spontaneous and unfiltered conversations with the public.

A government spokesperson said: “Throughout the summer, the First Minister has visited communities across Wales to listen to local people talking about their hopes and concerns. It has also given people the chance to speak directly to the First Minister and offer their spontaneous opinions about what really matters to them.”

They added: “The First Minister was keen that the conversations were not orchestrated, and they will be used to help her set the Welsh Government’s priorities, which will be announced at the start of the new Senedd term.”

New cabinet expected soon

Ms Morgan became First Minister following the resignation of Vaughan Gething, who recently announced that he would step down from the Senedd in 2026. He has also stated that he will not seek a ministerial position under Ms Morgan’s leadership. The First Minister is expected to unveil her full cabinet shortly.

As the Senedd prepares to reconvene, the effectiveness of Ms Morgan’s summer listening exercise will come under increasing scrutiny, with many eager to see if the concerns voiced by the public will translate into concrete government action.

Climate

Blue sea creatures wash up on Welsh beaches including Tenby

Published

9 minutes ago

June 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

VISITORS to Welsh beaches have been warned not to touch unusual blue sea creatures which have washed ashore along parts of the coastline.

Hundreds of velella velella, commonly known as by-the-wind sailors, have been reported on beaches in Anglesey, Gwynedd and Tenby.

The small, bright blue marine creatures are free-floating hydrozoans and are related to Portuguese man o’ war, sea anemones and corals.

They get their name from a small sail-like structure on their body, which catches the wind and carries them across the surface of the sea.

One was spotted on Tenby South Beach on Tuesday (Jun 16), where beachgoer Maxine Allinson described it as “fantastic” and “like a crystal”.

Marine experts say the creatures are often seen after changes in currents or stormy weather, which can push large numbers ashore at the same time.

Although they are much smaller and less dangerous than Portuguese man o’ war, they do have stinging cells.

Their sting is usually mild, but people are being advised not to pick them up, especially as contact with the face, lips or sensitive skin could cause pain or tingling.

Experts also warn that the stinging cells can remain active even after the creatures appear to be dead on the beach.

The advice is to admire them from a safe distance and leave them where they are.

Caption: Maxine Allinson spotted a velella velella on Tenby South beach Tuesday

Local Government

Mayor to hold drop-in session for Haverfordwest residents

Published

15 minutes ago

June 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

HAVERFORDWEST residents will have the chance to raise ideas, concerns and local issues directly with the town’s mayor this week.

Cllr Randell Izaiah Thomas-Turner will hold a Talk to Your Mayor session on Thursday, from 12:00pm until 2:00pm.

The initiative is aimed at giving residents an opportunity to speak directly with the mayor about matters affecting the town and wider community.

Cllr Thomas-Turner said communication and engagement were “vital”, adding that the session was about listening to local people, working together, and ensuring every voice had the opportunity to be heard.

Anyone wishing to book an appointment is asked to contact the Haverfordwest Town Council town clerk.

The mayor said: “Together, we can continue building a stronger and more connected community. Together we can make Haverfordwest the best in the west.”

News

Senedd rejects Reform call to end Welsh Government international spending

Published

2 hours ago

June 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

THE SENEDD has rejected a Reform UK motion calling for an end to all Welsh Government international spending, after a heated debate which saw several Members walk out of the chamber.

The motion, tabled by Reform MS Llŷr Powell, was defeated by 48 votes to 37 on Wednesday (Jun 17).

An amended motion, backing Wales’ reputation as an “internationalist, tolerant and outward-looking nation”, was then passed by the same margin.

The debate followed warnings from Hub Cymru Africa and other campaigners that ending international spending would damage Wales’ global reputation and undermine projects linking Welsh communities with partners overseas.

Reform argued that Welsh Government money should be focused on domestic pressures, including the NHS, schools, transport and the cost of living.

Welsh Conservative leader Darren Millar backed the Reform motion, saying foreign relations and international development were matters for the UK Government rather than Cardiff Bay.

But Plaid Cymru and Welsh Government speakers rejected that argument, saying Wales’ international work supported trade, public services, education, health partnerships and the country’s reputation abroad.

The debate became heated after comments by Reform MS Joe Martin, who criticised overseas schemes including beekeeping and tree-planting projects in Uganda.

Several MSs left the Siambr during his contribution, with the Llywydd later urging Members to reflect on the tone of the debate.

Hub Cymru Africa had said before the vote that Wales’ international solidarity budget represented a tiny fraction of overall spending and helped deliver work in public health, climate action, women’s empowerment and sustainable development.

The organisation said the vote was an opportunity for the Senedd to reaffirm Wales’ place in the world.