News

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

Published

6 months 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.”

Local Government

Catapult attacks suspected after wildlife deaths at Pembroke Mill Pond

Published

2 hours ago

July 14, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Wildlife Crime Officers are investigating after the town council said around five animals showed signs of deliberate injury

WILDLIFE found dead around Pembroke Mill Pond may have been deliberately targeted with a catapult, Pembroke Town Council has said.

The statement follows earlier reporting by The Pembrokeshire Herald after residents raised concerns about several dead birds, including ducks, discovered around the Mill Pond and nearby Ferry Lane.

Photographs shared on social media prompted calls for an investigation, with some residents questioning whether the deaths could be connected to algae visible on the pond or a deterioration in water quality.

However, the town council has now said its representatives visited the area and recovered some of the dead wildlife.

According to the council, around five different animals appeared to have suffered injuries consistent with being intentionally targeted using a catapult.

The findings have been passed to Wildlife Crime Officers, who are understood to be investigating. The cause of the deaths has not yet been independently confirmed and will remain a matter for the police investigation.

Pembroke Town Council said: “This is an extremely distressing and cruel act against wildlife.”

The council also sought to reassure residents that it did not believe the deaths were connected to the condition of the pond.

It said Aqua Clear had been employed for the past seven years to manage algae growth and control the spread of reeds.

According to the council, the programme has reduced algae levels by approximately 45 per cent, while the water quality continues to be monitored and remains in good condition.

The council added: “We are aware that there has been speculation on social media suggesting that the deaths may be linked to the water quality or algae currently present in the pond. We would like to reassure residents that this is not the case.”

Pembroke Mill Pond is one of the town’s best-known beauty spots and supports a wide variety of birds and other wildlife.

The council said it strongly condemned all forms of cruelty and urged anyone who had witnessed suspicious behaviour around the pond, or who had information that could assist the investigation, to report it immediately.

Information can be provided anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

The council thanked residents for raising the alarm and for their continued concern for the pond and the animals living there.

The Herald’s earlier report recorded residents’ concerns about dead birds around the Mill Pond and Ferry Lane. The latest statement confirms that the council believes the visible algae was not responsible and that injuries found on approximately five animals pointed towards suspected deliberate attacks.

Crime

Police issue counterfeit £20 warning ahead of Royal Welsh Show

Published

4 hours ago

July 14, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Businesses and members of the public across the Dyfed-Powys area are being urged to check banknotes carefully after fake currency was reported in Builth Wells

DYFED-POWYS POLICE has issued a warning after receiving an increased number of reports of counterfeit £20 notes being circulated in the Builth Wells area.

Although the reports have so far centred on the town, the warning is relevant to businesses and residents across the force area, particularly with thousands of visitors expected to travel to Powys for the Royal Welsh Show.

Police are urging shopkeepers, hospitality businesses, market traders, taxi drivers and members of the public to examine any £20 notes they receive.

A genuine Bank of England polymer £20 note contains several security features. When the note is tilted from side to side, the word “twenty” inside the oval hologram should change to “pounds”.

The holographic section should also appear multicoloured when moved. Genuine polymer notes have a smooth, slightly glossy texture, with raised printing on areas including the words “Bank of England”.

Signs that a note could be counterfeit include the word “twenty” failing to change when the note is tilted, the holographic section remaining silver and the note having an unusual texture or thickness.

On some fake notes, the holographic patch may also appear out of alignment because it has been glued into place.

Police are also warning people to look out for so-called “prop notes”, which may have the words “prop” or “copy” printed on them.

In some cases, these words are covered with a foil sticker intended to resemble the security hologram on a genuine banknote. Police said these notes are still considered counterfeit under UK law, even when the wording remains visible.

Anyone who suspects they have received a counterfeit note should avoid attempting to spend it and should report the matter to police.

Possessing or knowingly using counterfeit currency is a serious criminal offence which can carry a prison sentence of up to ten years and an unlimited fine.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dyfed-Powys Police online, email [email protected] or call 101.

People who are deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired can text the non-emergency number on 07811 311 908.

Information can also be provided anonymously to Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111.

Community

Steam car set to star at Pembroke Dock classic vehicle show

Published

4 hours ago

July 14, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Classic and vintage vehicles will gather at Hancock’s Yard this Saturday for a free family event

A RARE steam-powered car will be among the star attractions when classic and vintage vehicles gather in Pembroke Dock this weekend.

The Classic and Vintage Car Show takes place at the West Wales Maritime Heritage Society’s historic boatyard at Hancock’s Yard, Front Street, on Saturday, July 18.

Running from 11:00am until 4:00pm, the event will give visitors the chance to admire a varied collection of carefully preserved vehicles and speak to the owners who keep them on the road.

Organiser Peter Kraus said there was particular excitement surrounding one highly unusual exhibit.

“We even have a steam car coming,” he said.

Steam cars were among the earliest mechanically powered road vehicles, using a boiler and steam engine rather than the petrol or diesel engines found in most classic cars.

The show will offer motoring enthusiasts a chance to take a closer look at vehicles from different periods of road transport history, while providing an enjoyable day out for families and visitors to Pembroke Dock.

The event is being held within the West Wales Maritime Heritage Society’s working boatyard, where volunteers preserve the area’s maritime history.

Visitors will also be able to explore the society’s museum, restoration workshops and collection of historic vessels and maritime artefacts.

Admission and parking are free, although donations to support the work of the volunteer-run society are welcomed.

The Classic and Vintage Car Show takes place at Hancock’s Yard, Front Street, Pembroke Dock, SA72 6JY, from 11:00am until 4:00pm on Saturday, July 18.