Politics

Morgan’s big speech a tired rehash of old hits

Published

11 months ago

May 8, 2025

ELUNED MORGAN’s big speech aimed to rally the faithful ahead of next year’s Senedd election and reach out to those Labour voters alienated by the Labour government in Westminster. Artful leaks beforehand claimed she would “call out Keir Starmer”, criticise Westminster’s welfare reforms, “put country before party”, and invite voters to join her on the “Welsh red way”.

LABOUR’S SUPPORT CRATERS

Instead, it was desperate stuff, revealing the depths of Labour’s desperation in Wales. Labour’s share of the Welsh vote in last July’s General Election fell, and the edges of that vote are vulnerable. Reform UK has surged in opinion polls, which suggest that Nigel Farage’s policy-free limited company is taking votes from Labour in Wales at a rate even higher than it is stealing them from the Welsh Conservatives.

On the evening Baroness Morgan delivered her rallying call, a Barn Cymru/ITV poll revealed Labour’s support in Wales had fallen to an all-time low of 18% of those surveyed.

The opportunity existed for Baroness Morgan to do the unthinkable and set out once and for all how she would strike out from Keir Starmer’s unpopular Westminster government, stand up to it in the interest of Wales, and produce real changes in its approach to benefit Welsh voters.

Then reality intervened.

OLD LINES RE-USED

Even with devolution and the much-vaunted “partnership in power” at either end of the M4, the First Minister’s influence on Labour’s direction at the UK level is virtually non-existent.

Carefully leaked excerpts from her speech and remarks the First Minister made to a meeting of Labour’s Welsh constituency MPs stand revealed as the efforts of a struggling First Minister and an exhausted government to cling to power in Cardiff Bay.

Her message offered nothing concrete that was new, and nothing new that was concrete. Instead, Baroness Morgan leaned heavily on old Labour rhetoric that has echoed through decades of Welsh political life.

She framed Reform UK as a growing threat to Wales. She urged voters not to “gamble with our future” by backing Reform or Plaid Cymru, warning that a split on the left could open the door to right-wing populism.

She did not seem to understand that the new electoral system Labour and Plaid Cymru imposed on Wales for 2026 reduced the scope for tactical voting and did away with the possibility of split votes, where you could vote for a candidate on the constituency list and a party on the regional one.

That no longer exists. A vote cast will be a vote for a party and not an individual. A vote for Plaid Cymru, Labour, Reform UK, the Welsh Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats, or the Green Party is a vote for that party alone.

“YOU’LL NEVER TAKE OUR WIND!”

Even her efforts to connect present-day grievances with long-standing injustices came across as faintly ridiculous.

“We saw them take our coal,” Eluned Morgan said in her Braveheart moment.”We saw them take our water. We will not let them take our wind”.

Worse, her next line unwittingly referenced fictional Prime Minister Jim Hacker’s efforts to save the British sausage from EU food standards: “Not this time. Not on my watch.” At least she avoided saying “here I stand, I can do no other.”

The problem with Baroness Morgan’s approach is that it doesn’t allow her to address, or even acknowledge, the sources of voters’ dissatisfaction with Labour’s record in the Welsh Government.

According to the First Minister, “The Welsh NHS is not a failing system in need of rescue. It’s a public service that works.”

Pull the other one, it’s got bells on. It’s worth remembering that the Welsh Government denies the existence of a crisis in the Welsh NHS, despite doctors, nurses, clinicians, and reviews commissioned by it highlighting its extent.

And, because Eluned Morgan cannot acknowledge that voters might have some reason to be unhappy, it is hard for her to explain how she intends to address their concerns. Instead of addressing voters’ concerns, she spoke to the faithful as though voters were incidental to democracy.

THE POLICY VACUUM

Vacuous phrases, such as “Time for change isn’t just a slogan. It’s a demand,” added nothing to her message. She might come to reflect that “time for change” after being in power for a quarter of a century is precisely the sloganeering Labour in Wales might want to avoid.

Again, the First Minister spoke to the metropolitan media and the magic circle bounded by the Cardiff Ring Road, saying, “This is our Wales. Not a Wales of division or decline—but of solidarity, fairness and progress.”

Tell that to farmers, steel workers, the tourist industry, or the defence firms that the Welsh Government prevents from seeking funding from the Development Bank of Wales. Try saying it to the growing number of children who grow up in poverty in Wales and their parents, whose experience is almost identical to their own.

Political opponents and analysts were quick to point out that Morgan’s speech repeated themes long used by her Labour predecessors, from Rhodri Morgan’s “clear red water” to Carwyn Jones’ defiant calls for fairness from Westminster.

THE SAME OLD SONG

“The problem isn’t the message—it’s that we’ve heard it all before,” one Labour insider told The Herald. “Solidarity, NHS, devolution, anti-Tory sentiment—it’s the same script we’ve used since 1999.”

Welsh Conservative MS Darren Millar called the speech “a last-ditch, desperate attempt to save the Labour Party’s bacon,” adding: “Labour has broken the Welsh NHS, broken our education system, and broken our economy.”

Despite a clear effort to contrast Labour’s values with those of Reform—portrayed as “cynical”, “dishonest”, and “dangerous”—Morgan offered few fresh policies. Instead, she cited well-known Labour achievements like free prescriptions and school meals, and highlighted past battles with Westminster over steel, coal, and infrastructure.

Even Morgan’s call for “mutual respect” with a UK Labour government sounded like a rerun of speeches by former First Ministers, all of whom have, at one time or another, promised to “stand up for Wales” against London.

There was also pointed criticism of UK Labour welfare proposals, with Morgan insisting: “We will call it out if UK Labour get it wrong for Wales.” However, it remained unclear whether this marked a meaningful policy divergence or pre-election positioning.

“I can’t get a GP appointment, my son’s school is underfunded, and our train line is a joke,” said Julie Morgan, a retail worker in Pembrokeshire (no relation). “I’ve voted Labour all my life, but I honestly don’t know what they stand for anymore.”

And the problem for Eluned Morgan is that, nebulous aspirations and slogans apart, she couldn’t explain that either.

News

Council unveils plans for new state-of-the-art secondary school in Milford Haven

Published

11 hours ago

March 19, 2026

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL has revealed plans for a new state-of-the-art school in Milford Haven, promising modern, inspiring learning spaces for children and young people across the community.

A newly released video accompanying the announcement features the First Minister, the local authority’s Deputy Leader, the Cabinet Member for Education and the headteacher, outlining what the development will deliver. The plans include specialist teaching areas, improved accessibility, and high-quality outdoor learning and play spaces.

The project places a strong emphasis on sustainability, incorporating energy-efficient features and modern building standards designed to reduce environmental impact while delivering long-term value.

The scheme forms part of a Strategic Outline Case approval. Any final funding commitment will depend on the project successfully progressing through the full business case process.

Cllr Guy Woodham, Cabinet Member for Education, said: “This project represents a major investment in our children’s future. The new school will offer a safe, modern and inclusive environment where pupils can thrive, and we are delighted to share this vision with the community as we move towards the next stage of this exciting process.”

First Minister Eluned Morgan added: “This is fantastic news for pupils, parents, teachers and the whole community. Modern learning environments can make a real difference to pupils and staff alike. The Welsh Government has shown its commitment to new schools in Pembrokeshire as part of our wider programme of improving schools and colleges across Wales.”

Speaking on behalf of staff, pupils and governors, Deputy Headteacher Daryl John said the school community was excited by the plans.

He said: “Milford Haven School recently welcomed a visit from the First Minister, along with the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Education, to mark initial progress on proposals for a new, aspirational school building.

“The development will provide inspirational learning and teaching spaces, offering high-quality, ambitious and equitable opportunities for all pupils. It aims to support our young people to thrive, develop their talents and grow into confident, successful individuals, supported by dedicated staff and the wider school community.”

Stephen Thomas, Headteacher at Milford Haven Primary School, said the project had been long awaited.

He said: “This new school building has been long awaited, and I know how much it will mean to our children, staff and the community as a whole in Milford Haven.

“For many years, our community has hoped for facilities that truly reflect the potential, pride and ambition of our children, and now that vision is becoming a reality.

“This is more than just a new building. It is a statement of belief in our young people and in the future of Milford Haven. It will provide modern, high-quality learning environments, improved spaces for wellbeing and inclusion, and facilities that will open up wider opportunities for our pupils and families.

“As Headteacher, I feel incredibly proud and grateful to see this investment in our community. Our children deserve the very best, and this new school will help us continue raising aspirations, strengthening community links and ensuring every child can thrive.”

The council will now begin a period of consultation and engagement with pupils, staff, parents and local residents to ensure the new school reflects the needs and ambitions of the whole community.

News

Welsh steel communities at heart of tariff debate as unions warn strategy still lacking

Published

12 hours ago

March 19, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Port Talbot jobs and future of UK steel industry in focus despite government move to curb cheap imports

WELSH steelworkers could be among the biggest beneficiaries of new UK tariffs on imported steel — but unions have warned that without a long-term plan, the industry will continue to face uncertainty.

The UK Government has confirmed it will strengthen its tariff regime from June to prevent the dumping of cheap foreign steel on the domestic market, a move welcomed by trade union Unite.

However, the union says the decision highlights a wider problem — a reactive approach that has left critical industries like steel “lurching from crisis to crisis.”

The issue is particularly significant for Wales, where the steel industry remains a cornerstone of the economy, with communities such as Port Talbot heavily reliant on the sector for jobs and investment.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Unite welcomes the strengthening of the UK’s tariff regime to prevent the dumping of cheap foreign steel onto the domestic market from June.

“But this last minute situation is just another reminder that the reactive approach to UK steel that sees it lurch from crisis to crisis needs to be overhauled.”

She added: “Ministers must introduce a long-term strategy that secures the future of the industry, which is vital to the UK’s economy and national security, without delay.”

The Herald understands that concerns remain across the Welsh steel sector about the pace and direction of change, particularly following the transition away from traditional blast furnace steelmaking at Port Talbot.

Unions and industry figures have repeatedly warned that the shift towards electric arc furnaces, while more environmentally sustainable, could reduce the UK’s ability to produce so-called “virgin steel” — a key material for major infrastructure and defence projects.

Unite has called on the government to go further by legislating to ensure that all major UK infrastructure developments use domestically produced steel.

The proposal would have clear implications for Wales, potentially boosting demand for steel produced at Welsh sites and helping to safeguard jobs.

Unite regional secretary Peter Hughes said: “The steel strategy must be a first step in backing the UK steel industry and steelworkers.

“Steel is a foundation industry and is critical to the success of our economy. The government must also back the production of virgin green steel as we can’t simply rely on electric arc furnaces to produce all the steel we need.”

The debate comes at a crucial time for Welsh steelmaking, with significant public investment already committed to supporting the industry’s transition to greener production methods.

While ministers have framed the tariffs as a necessary step to protect domestic producers, critics argue that without a comprehensive industrial strategy, the measures risk being a short-term fix.

For communities in south Wales, the stakes remain high. Steel is not only a major employer but a defining part of the region’s identity — and decisions made in Westminster will have lasting consequences on the ground.

As global competition intensifies and energy costs remain volatile, pressure is mounting on the UK Government to move beyond emergency interventions and set out a clear, long-term vision for the future of steel — one that secures both jobs and production capacity in Wales.

Local Government

Pembrokeshire parking charge increases backed by Cabinet

Published

21 hours ago

March 19, 2026

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

PARKING charge increases in Pembrokeshire, which include part of Tenby’s multi-storey and the new Haverfordwest interchange moving to a 24-hour charging model, have been backed by senior councillors.

At the March meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet, members were asked to back a number of amendments to the current Pembrokeshire County Council parking charges.

For parking permits the changes proposed, to take effect from April 1, were: Y Penfro, parking across any long stay car park all year, from £240 a year to £300; The Puffin, which allows non-vehicle specific parking in a specific named car park all year round, from £180 to £240; Coastal, a transferable permit to allow a vehicle to park in specific seasonal car parks, up from £120 season to £160; Parking Permit Passport, a weekly permit transferable across all long stay car parks, from £35 to £40 a week.

These changes are expected to net an extra £25,000 a year.

At the Haverfordwest Interchange, changes, moving from a 9am-7pm charging to 24 hours, include the first hour now being free, with additional charges to the current rates of 10 hrs at £3.50 and 24 hrs at £4.50, along with a new dedicated motorcycle bay charge of £1 per 24 hours.

At Tenby multi-storey, to take effect from May 1, the proposal is to introduce 24 hours charging on floors 1–3. The ground floor would remain as charging between 9am and 7pm, this floor is short stay only, maximum stay two hours.

The main additional summer charges are: 10 hours £6, 24 hours £10, and weekly £50, up from the current £30; winter rates see 10 hours £3, 24 hours £5, and weekly £25, the latter up from £15.

From March 2027, Tenby Harbour Resident Permits see no cost changes, but a maximum of two vehicle registrations allowed, but a Tenby Harbour visitors permit will be introduced at a cost of £60 per vehicle.

These would be via a Variation Order which involves consultation. It is proposed to bring back any comments to Cabinet prior to implementing.

In Haverfordwest, a new four-hour charge, at £3, for Perrots Road is proposed alongside the current one and two-hour stay charges.

The town’s Hole in the Wall Car park is proposed to be revoked.

Two sites at Gelliswick Seafront currently have no enforceable parking restrictions. Due to recurring issues including overnight camping, it is proposed to introduce: Gelliswick Seafront – free parking, and Gelliswick – free parking.

Many of these changes will be require variation orders.

Other general cincreases proposed included: on street resident permit, £46 a year (to £48); on street visitor permit £52.50 (£60); compound £200 a week (£250); charity £50 (£65) free if all funds to charity; events, on a sliding scale dependent on the percentage capacity of the car park used from less than 50 per cent £100 (£150), 50-75 per cent £175 (£225) and over 75 per cent £225 (£275).

Members backed the changes, also agreeing to undertake a full review of parking services operations to include parking charges, charging periods, seasonal charges, license opportunities, in line with full cost recovery, with a report back to Cabinet in June 2027 – any changes to be implemented from September 2027.