News

Greens clash with Reform UK over future of Wales and the Senedd

Published

7 months ago

September 6, 2025

THE NEW leader of the Green Party has accused Reform UK of holding Wales in “contempt” as both parties gear up for what could be the most unpredictable Senedd election in history.

Zack Polanski, confirmed this week as the Greens’ new leader, visited Wales and told supporters that Nigel Farage’s party was “treating Wales as nothing more than a stepping stone to Downing Street.” He said Reform’s refusal to appoint a Welsh leader showed “their contempt for this country,” adding: “Voters literally have no idea who their pick for First Minister would be for next year’s crucial Senedd elections.”

The Greens believe they have a chance of winning their first seat in Caerdydd Penarth. Polanski outlined his party’s vision to introduce rent controls, bring water into public ownership, and lower bills through renewable energy. “Where they offer division, Greens offer actual solutions to people’s concerns,” he said.

Farage’s vision for Wales

Nigel Farage has made Wales central to his campaign strategy, promising to bring back heavy industry and tackle economic decline. At an event in Port Talbot, he called for the reopening of coal mines to fuel Welsh blast furnaces. “Our belief is that—for what uses coal still has—we should produce our own coal… Many will take these jobs, even though mining is dangerous,” he said.

Farage has also promised to establish regional technical colleges in Wales to train young people in trades such as welding, plumbing, electrical work and robotics. He tied this to what he described as Labour’s long failure to deliver for Wales, pointing to a £10,000 gap in GDP per person compared with the UK average.

On the campaign trail in Caerphilly, Reform UK highlighted failures in the NHS and pledged to cut “wasteful spending” in Cardiff Bay, as well as questioning Welsh Labour’s 20mph speed limit.

Calls to scrap the Senedd

At Reform UK’s party conference in Birmingham this week, Laura Anne Jones MS, the party’s only member in the Senedd, suggested that abolition of the Welsh Parliament could be on the table.

“We need to try and make the Senedd work for the people of Wales, but if it doesn’t we need to question whether the Senedd is really adding value,” she told delegates. Speaking afterwards, she added: “As a party we are not ruling anything out. If it gets to a point where even we cannot make it work for Wales, then we have to question why it’s there.”

Her comments mark one of the strongest signals yet that Reform could campaign to scrap the Senedd altogether, a policy likely to polarise Welsh voters.

Changing political landscape

With the Senedd set to expand from 60 to 96 seats under a new voting system, both the Greens and Reform sense an opportunity to break into Welsh politics. A YouGov poll in May suggested Plaid Cymru leading with 30 per cent, Reform close behind on 25 per cent, and Labour slumping to 18 per cent.

The clash between the Greens and Reform highlights the wider realignment in Wales. The Greens are appealing to younger and urban voters with policies on housing and the environment, while Reform is targeting disillusioned communities with promises of industrial revival and constitutional shake-ups.

The next Senedd election is scheduled to take place by May 7, 2026.

Crime

Broad Haven man remanded in custody over sexual harm prevention order breach

Published

10 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Court Reporter

Defendant admitted using Xbox without informing police as required under court order

ANTHONY COOMBES, aged 26, of Sand Banks, Broad Haven, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Mar 20) charged with breaching a sexual harm prevention order.

The court heard that between February 26 and March 19, 2026, at Haverfordwest, Coombes repeatedly breached the order by using an Xbox device without informing police within three days, as required.

The offences relate to a sexual harm prevention order imposed at Swansea Crown Court on October 20, 2021.

Coombes indicated guilty pleas to the offences at the first hearing.

Magistrates committed the case to Swansea Crown Court for sentence.

He was remanded in custody ahead of the next hearing, which is due to take place at 9:00am on Friday, April 3, at Swansea Crown Court.

The court refused bail on the grounds that he was likely to offend, citing the nature and seriousness of the offences and his previous record and character.

A pre-sentence report was ordered.

News

Man arrested after suspected drugs-related death in Haverfordwest

Published

10 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Police say death not suspicious as 46-year-old arrested over alleged Class A drug supply

A MAN has died following a medical emergency at a property in Haverfordwest, police have confirmed.

Emergency services were called at 3:18pm on Wednesday (March 18) after a report of a medical incident.

A man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the man’s next of kin have been informed and are being supported by officers.

The death is not being treated as suspicious at this time.

However, police confirmed that a man, aged 46, was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.

He has since been released under investigation while enquiries continue.

No further details about the deceased have been formally released.

Crime

Illegal dog breeders ordered to pay over £129,000 after council probe

Published

11 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

FOUR people from Mynyddygarreg, Kidwelly, have been ordered to pay more than £129,000 following a successful prosecution for illegal dog breeding.

At Swansea Crown Court on Tuesday (Mar 10), before His Honour Judge Thomas KC, Stacey May June Edwards, Peter John Edwards, Sian Eleri Thomas and David Malcolm James Thomas, all of Sea Breeze, Mynyddygarreg, pleaded guilty to offences under the Breeding of Dogs (Wales) Regulations 2014.

The court imposed confiscation orders totalling £129,873.41 under the Proceeds of Crime Act across the four defendants. They were also ordered to pay £8,000 in costs, while each defendant received a £2,000 fine.

The investigation began in April 2021 after Carmarthenshire County Council’s Animal Health team received an enquiry from Peter Edwards about obtaining a dog breeding licence. Although licensing guidance was provided and a partial application was submitted in February 2022, this was later withdrawn.

In March 2024, the council received a complaint that puppies were being advertised for sale without the required licence. Officers subsequently contacted online advertising platforms and issued data requests to assess the scale of activity.

Analysis of records from Pets4Homes, Freeads and Gumtree revealed multiple litters being advertised by members of the same household.

Correspondence under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act confirmed that up to 25 dogs were kept at the property, including between 16 and 19 breeding females.

While some defendants claimed joint ownership of the dogs, others attempted to minimise their involvement.

The Herald understands that numerous puppy advertisements were posted between July 2020 and April 2025, demonstrating a sustained pattern of unlicensed breeding.

Carmarthenshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Decarbonisation and Sustainability, Cllr Aled Vaughan Owen, said: “This case demonstrates the council’s firm stance against unlicensed and illegal dog breeding.

“These regulations are in place to protect animal welfare and ensure that breeding activities are subject to proper oversight. The scale of activity uncovered at this property was entirely unacceptable, and we welcome the court’s decision to issue significant confiscation orders under POCA.”

He added: “We urge anyone with concerns about illegal dog breeding to report it. Our Animal Health officers will continue to investigate thoroughly and take action against those who disregard the law.”

Residents are reminded that anyone breeding and selling dogs must comply with licensing regulations designed to protect both animal welfare and consumers.