News

New Year message from Samuel Kurtz MS

Published

2 months ago

December 31, 2025

AS NEW year begins, there is often talk of change — a new routine, a new job, or even a new home. Politically, however, 2026 does represent a year of genuine change for Wales. Before looking ahead, it is important to reflect honestly on the year just gone and on what 2025 has meant for our communities.

For many families and businesses across Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and beyond, 2025 has not been an easy year. The final bank in south Pembrokeshire closed its doors, prompting my campaign for a local banking hub to ensure face-to-face services remain available for residents in Pembroke Dock, Pembroke, surrounding villages and further afield. Access to basic services like banking matters deeply in rural areas, and it is an issue I will continue to press.

We have also seen unemployment rise, alongside increases in taxes and business rates. Too many local businesses have been forced to close. While some new enterprises have opened, too often the balance has gone the wrong way. This has had a real and visible impact on our high streets, and on families who rely on local jobs and services.

Rural communities have faced particular pressures. Farm protests over proposed changes to inheritance tax reflected deep concern about the future of family farms. While it was welcome to see long-overdue changes announced just before Christmas, the uncertainty experienced by farming families throughout the year should not be underestimated.

At the same time, constituents have continued to raise concerns about access to healthcare, from GP and dental appointments through to hospital services — issues that remain a constant worry for many.

Yet 2025 has not been without its positives. There has been sustained and important championing of the Haven Waterway and the industries that depend upon it, underlining its strategic and economic importance not just locally, but nationally.

My campaign for improved road safety along the A477 has continued, following success at the Nash Fingerpost junction. Work has now been carried out at the Red Roses junction, and speed surveys have been committed to at Milton. Long-overdue investment in Tenby Railway Station has also been welcomed, with work now underway.

We have also seen communities come together to support local causes, protect vital services and stand up for what matters to them. These efforts often go unrecognised, but they make a real difference.

The resilience of our communities never ceases to amaze me. Across our corner of Wales, hard-working people put their shoulder to the wheel every day. There are community-minded individuals going the extra mile for causes close to their hearts, and a quiet determination to leave a better future for the next generation than the one we inherited. That spirit is something worth protecting and nurturing.

It is for these reasons that serving as a Member of the Senedd has been such an honour. Every piece of casework, every email, phone call or conversation on the street carries with it a responsibility to listen and to act. Being Pembrokeshire born and bred, I never forget who I am working for, or the trust that has been placed in me.

Having spent much of my youth playing sport — rugby, football and cricket — I learned early that success is rarely about individual glory. It comes from showing up consistently, being dependable, working as part of a team and treating both teammates and opponents with respect. Those same values guide me as a Member of the Senedd. Representing people properly means being present, being accessible and being willing to do the hard work, often away from the spotlight, because that is how trust is earned.

Looking ahead, there are reasons for cautious optimism. While challenges remain, the year ahead offers an opportunity to learn from experience and to focus on practical solutions that reflect the realities of life in our communities. I remain determined to continue working hard on behalf of constituents, engaging constructively, showing up and making the case for better outcomes for west Wales.

And to return to where I began — with change — in May 2026, voters will take part in the Senedd election. I will be standing as a Welsh Conservative candidate for the new Ceredigion Penfro seat, which encompasses the whole of Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire. I am delighted to be standing alongside my good friend Paul Davies MS. With six seats to be elected in our area, both Paul and I are working hard to earn the confidence of voters once again and to continue representing you.

Change also means an expanded Senedd, with 96 members rather than the 60 we currently have, and a new voting system. While I do not agree with these changes, they are happening, and we must put our best foot forward.

Over the coming months, we look forward to spending even more time on the doorstep, speaking directly with residents about the issues that matter most to them. You elect us, and it is your trust that allows us to represent you — a trust that is never taken for granted.

I hope the Christmas period has allowed time to relax, reflect and enjoy being with family and friends. As we turn a new page on a new calendar, I wish everyone across our communities a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year.

Community

Second Milford Haven webcam launched after 1.3m views and US TV feature

Published

30 minutes ago

February 14, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Twin live feeds from Herald roof now showcase both marina and Milford Haven Waterway

A SECOND live webcam overlooking Milford Haven has gone live from the roof of 11 Hamilton Terrace — home of The Pembrokeshire Herald — expanding the town’s growing global digital footprint.

The original harbour-facing camera, streamed worldwide via EarthCam, has already clocked up more than 1,300,000 views. It even featured on ABC News in the United States, where the Milford Haven view was broadcast live ahead of a national weather forecast.

That first stream — listed on EarthCam as “Wales Waterway” — looks across Milford Marina and the busy lower reaches of the Haven, capturing ferry departures, commercial shipping, leisure craft and the changing light across the Pembrokeshire skyline.

Now, a second camera has been added, offering a complementary perspective further up the Milford Haven Waterway towards the Cleddau.

A global window on Wales’ largest port

The new feed captures daily activity along the largest port in Wales — from the twice-daily Wales–Ireland ferry sailings to petroleum, oil and gas tankers moving more than 60 million tonnes of cargo each year. Thousands of smaller vessels, from yachts to powerboats, also pass through the Waterway annually.

Together, the two cameras provide twin live perspectives of one of the UK’s most strategically significant maritime corridors.

As dawn broke over Milford Haven this morning, the Waterway lay still beneath a clear sky, the first light spilling across rooftops and masts before stretching out over the wide expanse of the Haven.

From the vantage point of Hamilton Terrace, the scene felt both intimate and expansive — a quiet town waking gently while a major working port prepared for another day of movement and industry.

It is moments like these that help explain the worldwide appeal of the EarthCam streams. Viewers tuning in from across the UK, Europe and North America are not simply watching ships pass; they are witnessing the rhythm of tide and trade, the sweep of weather systems, and the subtle beauty of West Wales unfolding in real time.

From dramatic winter steam plumes rising from power station chimneys to calm summer sunsets over the marina, Milford Haven’s live feeds have become a constantly changing digital canvas.

Watch live

Original harbour view (1.3 million+ views):
https://www.earthcam.com/world/uk/wales/?cam=waleswaterway

New up-the-Waterway view:
https://www.earthcam.com/world/uk/wales/?cam=waleswaterway2

The Herald hopes the second camera will prove just as popular — continuing to put Milford Haven on the global map, one sunrise at a time.

News

Welsh rugby faces ticket slump as Six Nations sales stall

Published

15 hours ago

February 14, 2026

Herald Sport

WALES’ Six Nations campaign is facing an unexpected off-field challenge, with thousands of seats still empty for upcoming home fixtures at Cardiff’s 74,000-capacity Principality Stadium.

Figures from the Welsh Rugby Union ticketing platform show significant availability remains for all three remaining championship games in the capital. The shortfall is most noticeable for March’s meeting with Italy, while seats are also still on sale for clashes with France and Scotland.

For a tournament traditionally regarded as the crown jewel of the Welsh sporting calendar, such availability is unusual. Home internationals in Cardiff have long been considered near-guaranteed sell-outs.\

https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/1024/cpsprodpb/3d67/live/400bc7f0-296e-11ef-951f-bfad685c889d.jpg

Grassroots clubs counting the cost

Several community clubs allocated ticket packages are now scrambling to avoid financial losses.

Some club officials have taken to social media to try to shift surplus tickets. Others say they are facing invoices for thousands of pounds despite not selling their full allocations.

One grassroots representative told The Herald that unsold tickets could leave his club thousands of pounds out of pocket — a significant blow for volunteer-run organisations already balancing tight budgets.

Matchday prices range broadly depending on seating category, with some fans questioning whether the cost of attending still represents value for money.

Performance and politics

On-field struggles have coincided with uncertainty off it.

Wales endured a prolonged losing streak before breaking the run last summer and have not lifted the Six Nations title since 2023. A heavy opening defeat in this year’s championship has done little to restore confidence among supporters.

Away from results, tensions remain over the future structure of the professional regional game, with debate continuing about funding, governance and the long-term direction of Welsh rugby.

Sports economist Calvin Jones said sustained under-capacity crowds would be concerning, noting that international gate receipts form a major part of the sport’s financial model in Wales.

“The stadium is critical to the game’s financial health,” he has previously warned. “If reduced attendances became a trend rather than a one-off, that would raise serious questions.”

WRU confident of late surge

The Welsh Rugby Union insists supporter loyalty remains strong and says sales have accelerated since the tournament began.

Officials point to changing purchasing habits, with more fans buying closer to matchday rather than months in advance.

They remain confident that the atmosphere in Cardiff will remain vibrant when France visit, with hopes that traditional matchday traditions — from the anthem to the post-match celebrations — will continue to draw supporters through the gates.

Lowest crowds?

Historically, Six Nations matches in Cardiff have rarely dipped far below capacity. The lowest attendance in the tournament at the Principality Stadium came against Italy in 2002, while recent fixtures have generally drawn well over 60,000 spectators.

Whether the current dip reflects temporary frustration or a deeper shift in supporter behaviour may become clearer by the end of the championship.

For now, Welsh rugby finds itself fighting for momentum — both on the pitch and in the stands.

Local Government

Hakin byelection set for March following death of Cllr Mike Stoddart

Published

16 hours ago

February 14, 2026

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A BYELECTION for Pembrokeshire County Council’s Hakin ward will take place next month following the death of long-serving councillor Mike Stoddart.

Cllr Stoddart, described as a “fearless campaigner for truth and justice”, passed away on January 4. He had represented Milford Haven’s Hakin ward since first being elected in 2004 and served the community for more than two decades.

His wife, Vivien Stoddart, represents Hubberston on the county council, while his daughter, Tessa Hodgson, represents Lamphey and currently serves as Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care.

Well known for his forthright style, Cllr Stoddart built a reputation for challenging perceived failings and injustices within local government. Before entering politics, he co-founded the Milford Mercury newspaper with his family. In later years, he continued scrutinising council affairs through his widely read Old Grumpy website.

Paying tribute, Pembrokeshire County Council Leader Cllr Jon Harvey said: “Mike was the prime example of what someone in local politics should be – working for and demanding better for his constituents.

“Mike was unashamedly forthright. He would argue his corner with conviction and always with facts on his side.

“He has kept me and many predecessors as leader firmly on our toes. The chamber and Pembrokeshire as a whole will be much poorer for his loss.”

Cllr Jacob Williams, a friend and fellow blogger, described him as leaving “a formidable legacy”.

“I was first elected to the council with Mike in 2012, and he’s been an enormous part of my life ever since. To say he was my mentor wouldn’t do him justice – I couldn’t have wished for a better friend, and I’ll miss him dearly,” he said.

If the Hakin seat is contested, the election will be held on March 17. Nomination papers must be delivered to the Returning Officer at County Hall, Haverfordwest by 4:00pm on February 18.

Applications to register to vote must reach the Electoral Registration Officer by midnight on February 27.

The Hakin contest follows the recent Fishguard North-East byelection, held on February 10 after the death of Cllr Jordan Ryan. That seven-way contest was won by Plaid Cymru candidate Billy Shaw with 253 votes.

Full results were: Caleb Charles Churchill (Welsh Liberal Democrats) 135; Paul Stephen Howe (Welsh Labour) 83; Peter Martin John (Reform UK) 95; Brian Andrew Murphy (Welsh Conservative Party) 69; Teresa Ruth Tannahill (Independent) 79; Adrian John Adrian Tyrrell (Independent) 35; and William Cuthbert Linton Shaw (Plaid Cymru – The Party of Wales) 253.