News

Starmer sets out vision for ‘Wales reborn’ at Labour’s Llandudno conference

Published

10 months ago

June 28, 2025

PM promises £5bn uplift, green steel, and ‘defence dividend’ as Labour draws battle lines with Reform and Plaid

KEIR STARMER delivered a speech heavy with symbolism and policy at Welsh Labour’s 2025 conference today—framing his government as the architects of a new era in Wales, while attacking the populist right and Welsh nationalism as threats to the country’s future.

Addressing delegates at Venue Cymru in Llandudno, the Prime Minister promised a “brighter future for Wales”, outlining a programme of investment and reform he said was already reshaping the country less than a year after Labour swept the General Election.

“That’s your victory, Conference,” Starmer told members. “A Wales back in the service of working people. And we’re only just getting started.”

With a confident delivery backed by visually striking footage from the event, Starmer’s speech marks a significant moment for Welsh Labour—not just in rhetoric but in resources.

£5 billion and a “Labour Spending Review”

At the heart of the speech was a commitment to £22.5 billion annually for Wales over the next three years—a significant uplift in block grant funding. Starmer claimed this equates to:

£5 billion in additional funds,
16,500 new jobs,
Two new Freeports (Celtic Sea and Anglesey),
Investment zones in Wrexham, Flintshire, Newport, and Cardiff,
£445 million for railway upgrades, including five new stations,
£200 million+ annually for local growth funds.

This, Starmer said, was a clear difference from the previous Conservative government:

“A Labour Spending Review, by a Labour Government, making Labour choices.”

In political terms, Starmer is directly contrasting Labour’s fiscal policy with both the austerity of the past and the radical tax-cutting agenda promoted by Reform UK.

Steel, security, and sovereignty

One of the most significant announcements was a firm recommitment to Port Talbot’s green steel transition, including an £80 million transition board and future support through the National Wealth Fund. Starmer contrasted this with Nigel Farage’s recent visit to the site, accusing him of:

“Pretending he’s got a plan to reopen a blast furnace… He’s got no idea what he’s talking about.”

He warned that Reform’s proposals would cancel the electric arc furnace project due to begin within weeks and “throw away 5,000 jobs.”

Alongside green steel, Starmer introduced the idea of a “defence dividend” for Wales. He pledged:

Investment in 6,000 existing defence jobs in Wales,
Skilled job creation through technology upgrades,
The largest military pay rise in 20 years,
Upgrades to 800 military homes,
Veterans to be given priority for social housing.

This forms part of a broader strategic message: Labour can deliver security—military, economic and social—where others cannot.

Welfare, work, and difficult choices

Starmer also addressed the UK’s welfare system, calling it “broken” and “failing people every day.” He rejected Conservative-style cuts but promised reform that encourages people into work:

“We cannot take away the safety net that vulnerable people rely on – and we won’t. But we also can’t let it become a snare.”

He outlined:

Millions in mental health support,
NHS reform to tackle waiting lists,
Council house-building programmes,
Enhanced worker rights, including the end of fire-and-rehire.

This part of the speech sought to reclaim the narrative on welfare and productivity—long a political weakness for Labour—by offering a moral case for reform alongside fairness.

Fighting Reform and Plaid: “Backwards or forwards?”

Starmer reserved some of his sharpest words for Nigel Farage and Reform UK, mocking the party’s economic plans and casting Farage as a self-serving populist:

“A wolf in Wall Street clothing… Reform doesn’t create jobs. They throw them away.”

He warned of a “backroom stitch-up” between Reform, the Conservatives and Plaid Cymru that could plunge Wales back into “chaos and division,” referencing Plaid’s commitment to independence without a roadmap to reunify Wales economically or socially.

This sets up the battleground for 2026’s Senedd election: Labour will frame itself as the only party with national competence, moral clarity, and local delivery.

Praise for Eluned Morgan and post-industrial justice

Starmer praised First Minister Eluned Morgan, calling her “the best person to lead Wales into the future,” and highlighted her lobbying success in securing £118 million for coal tip safety and a fairer mineworkers’ pension scheme.

“We’re doing right by mining communities,” he said. “We’ve righted the historic injustice of mineworkers’ pensions.”

This appeal to Labour’s traditional base—post-industrial, working-class voters in south and north Wales—aims to reconnect with communities that drifted during the Brexit years.

Analysis: Why this speech matters

Starmer’s address was not just a laundry list of policy. It was a clear electoral pitch to:

Disaffected former Labour voters,
Trade unionists,
Younger progressives,
And those fearful of Reform’s rise.

The tone was firm but measured. His attack lines on Farage and Plaid were sharper than usual, signalling that Labour sees a real threat from both directions—nationalism and populism. But he balanced that with optimistic language about jobs, green energy, and opportunity.

Crucially, the message to Wales was not “we hear you”—a common Labour refrain in the past—but “we’ve already delivered, and we will deliver more.”

News

Surfers prepare for sewage protest on with another Broad Haven paddle-out

Published

16 minutes ago

May 3, 2026

Tom Sinclair

CAMPAIGNERS are preparing to take to the water in Pembrokeshire as anger continues to grow over sewage pollution affecting Welsh beaches, rivers and bathing waters.

A large banner placed on the seafront by Surfers Against Sewage calls on people to join a “paddle out” at Broad Haven on Saturday, May 16, at 1:30pm.

The demonstration is part of a wider national campaign by Surfers Against Sewage, which has organised paddle-out protests across the UK to demand tougher action from water companies, regulators and governments over sewage discharges into rivers and coastal waters.

Growing anger

The protest comes after repeated concerns about water quality around the Welsh coast.

The Herald has previously reported pollution alerts affecting beaches including Newport North, Broad Haven, Dale, West Angle, Barafundle, Manorbier, Tenby Castle Beach, Saundersfoot and Pembrey, with warnings issued after storm sewage discharges within the previous 48 hours.

The issue has also affected major events. In September last year, The Herald reported that a sewage warning was issued before the Ironman Wales swim in Tenby, with Surfers Against Sewage alerts in place for Castle Beach, South Beach and Penally after recent discharges in the area.

The swim went ahead, with around 2,700 competitors entering Carmarthen Bay.

Local concern has not been limited to beaches. Only this weekend, The Herald reported that Carmarthen coracle fishermen had raised alarm over suspected sewage pollution entering the River Towy, warning that a centuries-old fishing tradition could be under threat.

Public health fears

Campaigners say sewage pollution is not just an environmental issue, but a public health concern for swimmers, surfers, paddleboarders, anglers and families using beaches and rivers.

The Herald has previously reported that Surfers Against Sewage recorded 1,853 illness cases in 2024 linked to contaminated waters across the UK, with concern also raised about poor water quality at locations including Cardigan Bay, New Quay and the Cleddau estuary.

Political pressure

The issue has become increasingly political in Wales. Last month, The Herald reported calls for tougher action on water quality, including proposals for stronger duties on water companies to prevent sewage discharges into rivers, lakes and the sea.

Surfers Against Sewage says its protests are designed to show that coastal and river communities have had enough of pollution, poor accountability and what campaigners see as years of failure to protect bathing waters.

Organisers say people do not have to enter the water to take part, with supporters also encouraged to gather on land.

Photo caption:

Protest call: A Surfers Against Sewage banner on the Pembrokeshire coast advertising the May 16 paddle-out protest.

News

Plaid Cymru councillor suspended over migration comments

Published

49 minutes ago

May 3, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A LONG-SERVING Gwynedd councillor has been suspended by Plaid Cymru after comments linking migration, housing pressure and the Welsh language.

Cllr Gareth Roberts, who represents Bangor’s Dewi ward, made the remarks during a planning committee debate on an application for 25 homes in Chwilog, on the Llŷn Peninsula.

Councillor raised concerns

The committee voted to reject the scheme against officers’ advice after concerns were raised about its possible impact on community cohesion and the Welsh language.

During the meeting, Cllr Roberts said Bangor was “no longer a Welsh-speaking area” and claimed he had seen the city’s Welsh-speaking population decline.

He said: “Certainly, within the last five years, I’ve seen hundreds if not 1,000 more people coming here to live, migrants.”

He also referred to pressure on schools, saying he had been told there were 42 different languages being spoken at his former primary school.

Cllr Roberts argued that housing shortages in Bangor could push demand into surrounding Welsh-speaking communities, including Chwilog.

Party investigation

Plaid Cymru has confirmed that Cllr Roberts’ party membership has been temporarily suspended following a formal complaint.

A party spokesperson said the suspension was a “neutral action” while an investigation is carried out.

Cllr Roberts has also resigned from Plaid Cymru’s group on Cyngor Gwynedd and is now listed as an individual member.

Speaking to BBC Wales, he insisted he was not opposed to migration and said Bangor had always been multicultural.

He said his comments were about housing, integration and the need to help people learn Welsh, rather than criticism of those who had moved to the area.

Community

Whitland street food festival draws thousands for biggest event yet

Published

1 hour ago

May 3, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Record crowds, live music and over 100 traders make bank holiday celebration a major success

THOUSANDS of visitors descended on Whitland on Sunday (May 3) as the Whitland Street Food Festival returned to Parc Dr Owen for what organisers described as its biggest and best event to date.

The annual festival, organised by Together Hendygwyn Gyda’n Gilydd CIC, brought together food traders, performers and community groups from across West Wales, with strong ticket sales suggesting attendance in the thousands.

Record scale and strong turnout

More than 30 street food vendors and over 80 market stalls filled the site, offering everything from Welsh produce and artisan goods to international cuisine, sweet treats and speciality drinks.

A large big-top tent provided covered seating for festivalgoers, while crowds gathered across the field to enjoy live music, entertainment and family attractions throughout the day.

Pre-event figures suggested over 1,300 tickets had already been sold, with some estimates rising closer to 1,800 — continuing the festival’s growth as a major regional attraction.

***Hit attraction: The Queen Hall’s famous cheese stall was at the event***

Music and entertainment headline the day

The event featured a full programme of live performances, culminating in a headline DJ set from BBC Radio 1 DJs Rickie and Melvin.

Local acts also played a central role, with performances from 4th Street, The Western Shires, P’tcheaow, The Home Shores and Just Dylan. Community groups including Ysgol Dyffryn Taf and Whitland & District Male Choir also took to the stage.

Visitors were entertained beyond the music, with live circus shows and interactive activities from Big Top Mania, alongside a popular hot wing challenge.

Family focus and community spirit

The festival placed a strong emphasis on being family-friendly, with a free bouncy castle, inflatable assault course and dedicated toddler area attracting younger visitors.

Across the site, a mix of families, groups and visitors from neighbouring counties created a lively and welcoming atmosphere, with many staying into the evening as entertainment continued.

Pure West Radio broadcast live from the event, interviewing traders, performers and attendees, capturing what many described as a “buzzing” and “fantastic” day.

***The event had a carnival atmosphere (Pic: Pure West Radio)***

Supporting local business and causes

Organisers said the festival was designed to celebrate local food, businesses and community spirit, while supporting independent traders and raising funds or awareness for local causes.

Charity presence on the day included Wales Air Ambulance, which hosted an awareness stand alongside the commercial stalls.

Whitland, a small Carmarthenshire town, has seen the festival grow into a key annual event, drawing visitors from across West Wales and providing a boost to the local economy.

Looking ahead

With strong attendance, a packed programme and widespread community involvement, the 2026 festival is expected to build further momentum for future events.

Organisers are likely to review this year’s success as they look ahead to an even bigger return in 2027.