News

Will Keir Starmer still be Prime Minister in 12 months? He thinks so

Published

2 days ago

January 4, 2026

SIR KEIR STARMER has said he expects to still be Prime Minister this time next year, dismissing speculation about his leadership after a difficult first year in office marked by weak polling and sluggish economic growth.

In his first interview of 2026, the Labour leader told the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg that frequent changes of leadership were not in the “national interest”, arguing that political instability was one of the main reasons voters rejected the Conservatives at the last general election.

“Under the last government, we saw constant chopping and changing of leadership and teams,” he said. “It caused utter chaos, and it’s one of the reasons the Tories were booted out so effectively.

“Nobody wants to go back to that. It’s not in our national interest.”

Sir Keir said he had no intention of presiding over similar instability, adding: “We know what happens when you go down that chaotic path, and I’m not going to take us back there.

“I will be sitting in this seat by 2027, and if this long-form interview works, we can try it again in January next year as well.”

The Prime Minister said he was elected with a five-year mandate to change the country and would ultimately be judged at the next election on whether his Government had delivered on the issues that matter most to voters.

“I know I’ll be judged when we get to the next election on whether I’ve delivered on the key things people care about,” he said.

The interview followed Sir Keir’s New Year message, in which he acknowledged that life remains “harder than it should be” for many people across the UK, but said the coming year would begin to bring a “sense of hope”.

He said the Government would “stay the course” in its efforts to improve public services and address the cost-of-living pressures facing households, warning that “renewal is not an overnight job” and that many of the challenges facing the country were “decades in the making”.

“In 2026, the choices we’ve made will mean more people begin to feel positive change in their bills, their communities and their health service,” he said.

Sir Keir was last interviewed by Ms Kuenssberg in September, when he asked for “space to get on and do what we need to do”, warning that Labour faced a growing challenge from Reform UK.

A Reform UK spokesperson responded to the latest comments by saying the next election would be a choice “between continued managed decline under Labour or a new path of change under Reform that prioritises the British people”.

“Britain has suffered enough under Tory and Labour mismanagement,” the spokesperson said. “Britain needs Reform.”

Crime

Motorist given interim ban after crash leaves passenger with serious neck injury

Published

2 hours ago

January 6, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

Victim tells court collision ended her career and caused lasting trauma

A 75-YEAR-OLD motorist has been given an interim driving ban after driving into the path of an oncoming vehicle near the entrance to the Mayfield Driving Range in Freystrop.

Anthony Davey was driving his Skoda Fabia into the entrance of the Mayfield Golf Centre on the afternoon of Saturday (Mar 9) when he collided with a Hyundai, in which Katy Anderson was a front-seat passenger.

As a result of the impact, Ms Anderson suffered a fractured neck bone, requiring extensive hospital treatment and ultimately leading to the loss of her career.

“It was a clear, sunny day and both vehicles were extensively damaged,” Crown Prosecutor Nia James told District Judge Mark Layton at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.

“Following the collision, the defendant could be heard saying: ‘I didn’t see you.’”

A victim impact statement was read to the court in which Ms Anderson described the physical, emotional and financial consequences of the crash.

“The hospital process was long, and when I discharged myself I was placed in a hard neck brace for 14 weeks and was unable to bathe, wash myself, or do anything alone,” she said.

“I am a single parent to two children under the age of 18, and this has been unbelievably difficult.

“I couldn’t watch my sons play football or continue my work as a support worker. I had to rely on sick pay and was unable to return to the job I had done for over 20 years, which has now led to unemployment. This has caused me great depression.”

Davey, of Milner Cottage, Herbrandston, pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by careless and inconsiderate driving.

Sentencing was adjourned until Tuesday (Jan 28) to allow probation reports to be prepared. Davey was released on unconditional bail, with an interim driving disqualification imposed.

Crime

Prolific shoplifter jailed after stealing nearly £300 of goods from Cardigan store

Published

2 hours ago

January 6, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

District judge says custody was only option due to persistent offending

A PROLIFIC north Pembrokeshire shoplifter has been jailed after stealing almost £300 worth of goods from a B&M store in Cardigan.

Andrew O’Connell, 38, was seen entering the store on Sunday (Jan 5) before leaving carrying two large carrier bags.

“Both bags were full of items, including groceries and electrical goods,” Crown Prosecutor Nia James told District Judge Mark Layton at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.

O’Connell walked along Aberystwyth Road before being arrested by police at the bus stop adjacent to the Tesco store.

O’Connell pleaded guilty to the B&M theft and to stealing a van containing two dogs from John Street car park in Carmarthen in June 2024.

“The van was owned by Richard Bramley, who was a stallholder at the street market adjacent to Marks and Spencer in Carmarthen,” Ms James said.

“He had left his two dogs inside the van, along with stock for his plant stall, and the vehicle was unlocked. When he returned a short time later, the van had gone.

“He was emotionally distressed and particularly concerned about the whereabouts of the dogs.”

Street CCTV footage traced the vehicle, which was later recovered by police. The court was told that nothing had been stolen from the van and both dogs were returned to their owner unharmed.

O’Connell was represented by solicitor Alan Lewis.

“Money was tight after Christmas, so he went to B&M and took the items,” Mr Lewis said. “All of the goods were later recovered.”

Mr Lewis told the court that O’Connell’s offending began around three years ago following the death of his mother.

“This affected him deeply,” he said. “Around the same time, he separated from his partner, and that is when drug and alcohol misuse began, which he is now trying to address.

“Prior to this, he was supervising adults at a care farm, so this represents a significant fall from grace. It is very sad.”

However, probation officer Julie Norman said repeated attempts to support O’Connell had been ignored.

Sentencing him to eight weeks in custody, District Judge Layton said O’Connell’s record left the court with no alternative.

“Your pattern of offending shows you are constantly going into shops and stealing,” he said. “There is no slowdown in your behaviour, so the only option is custody.”

O’Connell was also ordered to pay a £154 surcharge and £85 in costs.

Crime

Pembrokeshire man to stand trial over knives found at Withybush Hospital

Published

2 hours ago

January 6, 2026

Sarah-Jane Absalom

Defendant denies possessing two bladed articles inside hospital

A PEMBROKESHIRE man is to stand trial after allegedly being found in possession of two bladed articles while inside Withybush General Hospital.

Sion Williams, 50, is accused of entering the hospital on December 13 while carrying a hunting knife and a lock knife.

Williams, of Saint Stephens, The Croft, Tenby, appeared before District Judge Mark Layton at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week, where he denied both charges.

The case has been listed for trial on Feb 4, and Williams was released on unconditional bail.