News
Voters could get power to recall Senedd members under new bill
VOTERS in Wales could soon have the power to remove Senedd members between elections under a new draft accountability bill published by the Welsh Government.
Julie James, the Counsel General and Welsh Government’s chief legal adviser, announced the publication of the draft Member Accountability Bill in a written statement on Monday (Oct 6).
The proposals would allow voters to decide whether to “remove or retain” a sitting politician through a “recall poll”. If a member were removed, the seat would be filled by the next person on the party list — unless there were no more candidates, or the recalled member was an independent.
Under the draft bill, a recall poll could be triggered in two situations:
Conviction: If a politician is convicted of an offence and sentenced to imprisonment, including a suspended sentence.
Misconduct: If the Senedd votes to hold a poll following a standards committee recommendation after a finding of serious misconduct.
Before a recall for misconduct can take place, the standards committee must first publish “recall guidance” setting out the process in more detail.
To succeed, a simple majority of those voting in the recall poll must vote to remove the member. There would be no minimum turnout requirement.
Stronger standards rules
The draft bill, published following similar reforms in Westminster and Scotland, would not automatically come into effect. Welsh ministers would later set the start date for the new powers.
It also proposes strengthening the Senedd’s standards of conduct system. The standards committee — made up of politicians — would become a permanent, legal requirement for every Senedd, and for the first time, independent “lay members” could sit on the committee.
Douglas Bain, the Senedd’s standards commissioner, would also be given new “own-initiative” powers to launch investigations without waiting for complaints.
In addition, the bill would place a legal duty on Welsh ministers to prohibit false statements during election campaigns, aiming to curb deliberate political deception.
Ms James said the draft legislation was still open to amendment before its formal introduction to the Senedd later this autumn.
Crime
Two arrested after high-value shoplifting incident in Kilgetty
TWO men have been arrested on suspicion of shoplifting following a rapid police response to a reported high-value theft at a supermarket in Kilgetty.
Dyfed-Powys Police said officers were called to the Co-op store at around 3.35pm on Wednesday (Jan 28), after a report that a large quantity of alcohol and other items had been stolen.
Using information provided by the caller, Roads Policing Unit officers worked closely with control room staff to identify a vehicle believed to be involved. Several patrol cars were deployed, and the vehicle was located a short time later travelling east.
Police said the safety of all those involved was treated as a priority, with specialist Tactical Pursuit and Containment (TPAC) advice obtained while officers maintained constant observation of the vehicle.
The car was brought to a safe stop on a back road approaching Hendy, involving three Roads Policing Unit vehicles. No injuries or damage were reported.
Following roadside checks, two men — aged 67 and 46 — were arrested on suspicion of theft from a shop.
Both remain in police custody while enquiries continue.
Police said the swift response helped prevent further offending and demonstrated the effectiveness of specialist roads policing officers acting on real-time intelligence.
Climate
Breaking down barriers between finance and industry in offshore renewables sector
EARLIER this week, Marine Energy Wales brought together senior representatives from national and devolved finance institutions with developers, ports and supply-chain companies operating across Wales’ offshore renewable energy sector for a dedicated finance roundtable in Pembroke Dock. Attendance was limited to premium MEW members to allow for frank, focused discussion.
The session was intentionally designed to be different.
Rather than relying on formal presentations or sales pitches, the roundtable created a facilitated, closed-door space for open dialogue. Finance organisations were able to explain clearly how they operate, what types of projects they can support, and where constraints still exist. Industry participants, in turn, set out the real-world challenges they are facing across tidal energy, floating offshore wind, port infrastructure and supply-chain development.
What emerged was more than information sharing—it was a clearer, shared understanding of how decisions are made on both sides.
From siloed conversations to shared problem-solving
A consistent theme from the discussion was that significant public and institutional finance is now available to support clean energy projects. However, navigating that landscape remains complex, particularly for early-stage developments, smaller supply-chain businesses and emerging technologies.
By bringing the right people into the room at the same time, the roundtable helped to:
- demystify how different finance bodies assess risk, scale and project readiness
- highlight where policy ambition, market signals and investment criteria are not yet aligned
- identify opportunities where better sequencing and coordination of funding could unlock progress
- establish direct relationships that will support follow-up conversations beyond the room
The discussion also surfaced where gaps remain. In particular, the need for clearer market signals and more tailored support for tidal stream and other early-stage marine technologies was repeatedly raised. These are challenges that are difficult to address in isolation, but far more productive to tackle collectively.
The value of convening
For Marine Energy Wales, the roundtable reinforced the importance of our role as a neutral convener for the sector.
Members consistently tell us that access to finance is one of the most significant barriers to progress—not only in terms of capital availability, but in understanding how to engage effectively with funders. At the same time, finance organisations are keen to deepen their understanding of project development timelines, technology risk and the scale of Welsh supply-chain ambition.
Creating space for those conversations is where real value is added.
This is not about Marine Energy Wales brokering individual deals. It is about building shared understanding, reducing friction, and helping to align finance, policy and industry around credible pathways to delivery.
What comes next
This roundtable was not a one-off.
Marine Energy Wales is committed to continuing this work, developing structured and trusted forums where finance, industry and government can engage early, openly and constructively. As Wales moves from ambition to delivery in offshore wind and tidal energy, these relationships and conversations will be critical to ensuring projects are investable, deliverable and anchored in Welsh economic benefit.
We will continue to work with our members and partners to identify priority issues, convene the right voices, and help turn opportunity into tangible outcomes on the ground.
Business
Eight-year prison sentence after vehicle stop uncovers drugs worth over £150,000
A ROUTINE vehicle stop by roads policing officers has led to an eight-year prison sentence after more than £150,000 worth of illegal drugs were discovered in a car in Pembrokeshire.
On Friday, January 2, officers from the Roads Policing Unit stopped a grey Seat Ateca on Hoyland Road, Pembroke. The vehicle was being driven by 43-year-old Dean Evans.
During the stop, Evans told officers they would find “stuff” in the car. He and the vehicle were subsequently searched under the Misuse of Drugs Act.
A search of the boot uncovered a cardboard box containing a one-kilogram block of cocaine and ten half-kilogram packages of herbal cannabis. The street value of the drugs was estimated to be well in excess of £150,000.
Evans was arrested at the scene on suspicion of possession with intent to supply controlled drugs. He was later charged with possession with intent to supply Class A and Class B drugs.
The 43-year-old pleaded guilty at Swansea Magistrates’ Court on Saturday, January 3.
On Thursday, January 28, Evans was sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court to eight years’ imprisonment for possession with intent to supply cocaine and cannabis.
DC Jones, from Dyfed-Powys Police’s Serious Organised Crime Unit, said: “Tackling the supply of illegal drugs is a priority for Dyfed-Powys Police, and the misery that illegal drugs bring to local communities will not be tolerated.
“We welcome the sentence passed to Dean Evans, given the large quantity of harmful drugs he was caught trafficking into Pembrokeshire.
“This sentence should serve as a stark warning to anyone tempted to become involved in the illegal drugs trade in Dyfed and Powys.”
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