News

Smaller parties seek to be heard in Senedd election

Published

31 seconds ago

April 25, 2026

Gwlad and the Heritage Party are among the lesser-known names on the Ceredigion Penfro ballot

SMALLER political parties are hoping to break through in Ceredigion Penfro as voters prepare for Wales’ first Senedd election under the new voting system.

While much of the campaign has focused on Labour, Plaid Cymru, the Conservatives, Reform UK, the Liberal Democrats and the Greens, the ballot paper also includes two lesser-known parties with very different messages: Gwlad – Wales Can Be Better and the Heritage Party – Keep Our Countryside Green.

Both are standing in the new Ceredigion Penfro constituency, which covers Ceredigion and much of Pembrokeshire. The election takes place on Thursday, May 7, with polling stations open from 7:00am to 10:00pm.

Under the new system, the Senedd will increase from 60 to 96 Members. Wales has been divided into 16 larger constituencies, with each electing six Members of the Senedd through a closed-list proportional voting system.

That means voters will cast one vote for a party list or independent candidate, rather than the previous system of choosing both a constituency MS and a regional list.

In Ceredigion Penfro, the official notice of poll lists Gwyn Wigley Evans as the Gwlad candidate and Elizabeth Davies as the Heritage Party candidate.

Gwlad

Gwlad describes itself as a Welsh nationalist party, but says its immediate focus is on rebuilding the Welsh economy, strengthening rural communities and improving public services.

The party argues that Wales needs practical policies on farming, business, tourism, transport and health, rather than what it sees as the usual arguments between the larger parties.

In Ceredigion Penfro, Gwlad is represented by Gwyn Wigley Evans, a Ceredigion county councillor and party leader. He has said the party is not made up of “career political old hands” and argues that its candidates bring real-world experience from outside the political establishment.

Gwlad’s pitch is strongly rural. The party has spoken against onshore wind turbines, pylons and what it describes as the industrialisation of the Welsh countryside. It says it supports renewable energy, but favours offshore wind, wave, tidal and solar energy on buildings rather than on agricultural land.

On farming, Gwlad says it wants stronger support for Welsh food production, more processing of food in Wales and greater promotion of “Brand Cymru”. It also calls for a dedicated Welsh ministry covering agriculture, fisheries and food.

The party wants the default 20mph speed limit scrapped, with local councils given more control over speed limits in their own areas.

On health, Gwlad says it supports universal healthcare free at the point of use, but wants more local clinics, stronger primary care and better access to minor injury services, particularly in rural communities.

On education, the party backs smaller local primary schools, more discipline in classrooms, stronger vocational training and a greater emphasis on Welsh history, culture and language.

The Heritage Party

The Heritage Party is standing in all 16 Welsh Senedd constituencies. Its Ceredigion Penfro candidate is Elizabeth Davies.

The party is socially conservative, strongly unionist and highly critical of devolution. Its wider platform includes abolishing the Senedd, opposing net zero policies, protecting the countryside, cutting taxes and restoring what it describes as traditional British values.

The party says it wants to affirm British culture with Christian principles and protect historic buildings, rural communities and agricultural land.

On farming and the countryside, the Heritage Party says farmers should be supported to produce food. It opposes wind turbines, solar arrays on green land and battery energy storage systems, arguing that such developments damage rural landscapes and food security.

On education, the party opposes the current Relationships and Sexuality Education curriculum and supports faith schools, apprenticeships and home education.

One of its Welsh candidates, Kimberley Isherwood, is known for her involvement in the legal challenge against the Welsh Government’s introduction of mandatory Relationships and Sexuality Education without a parental right of withdrawal.

That judicial review was dismissed by the High Court in December 2022, with the court finding in favour of Welsh Ministers.

The Heritage Party also backs restoring 30mph as the default urban speed limit, scrapping the TV licence, leaving the European Convention on Human Rights, abolishing inheritance tax and reducing immigration.

A wider choice

Neither Gwlad nor the Heritage Party has the profile or campaign machinery of the larger political parties, but the new voting system may give smaller parties greater visibility than in previous Senedd elections.

Gwlad is pitching itself as a Welsh nationalist alternative focused on the economy, farming, public services and rural communities.

The Heritage Party is appealing to voters who want a socially conservative, pro-Union and anti-net zero alternative.

With six seats available in Ceredigion Penfro, smaller parties will be hoping that voters who feel ignored by the political mainstream are prepared to look further down the ballot paper.

Community

Freshwater West memorial honours crews lost in wartime tragedy

Published

1 hour ago

April 25, 2026

Tom Sinclair

VETERANS, standard bearers and civic representatives gathered at Freshwater West on Saturday (Apr 25) for a moving service of remembrance for the men lost in one of Pembrokeshire’s worst wartime maritime disasters.

The annual memorial service remembered the crews of HM Landing Craft Gun (Large) 15 and 16, and members of HMS Rosemary, who died after the vessels were overwhelmed in heavy seas off the Pembrokeshire coast in April 1943.

A total of 79 Royal Navy and Royal Marine personnel lost their lives in the tragedy, which unfolded on April 25 and 26, 1943.

The two landing craft had been travelling from Belfast to Falmouth when they ran into severe weather off Freshwater West. Their flat-bottomed design made them vulnerable in rough seas, and both vessels were eventually lost.

HMS Rosemary, a fishery protection vessel, went to the aid of the stricken craft, but six of her crew also drowned when a rescue boat capsized during the attempt to save others.

On Saturday, standards were carried to the memorial above the beach, where clergy led prayers and wreaths were laid in honour of the fallen.

The ceremony was attended by veterans, members of the Royal Marines Association, standard bearers, civic dignitaries and members of the public.

The names of those who died are recorded on the memorial at Freshwater West, overlooking the sea where the disaster took place more than eight decades ago.

Those attending stood in silence as the Last Post was sounded, with standards lowered in tribute to the men who never returned.

The service served as a reminder of the sacrifice made by wartime sailors and marines, as well as the bravery of those who gave their lives trying to rescue others.

Photos: Martin Cavaney

Entertainment

Llandeilo Lit Fest returns for 10th year with packed bilingual programme

Published

2 hours ago

April 25, 2026

Tom Sinclair

AUTHORS, poets, playwrights, storytellers, artists and musicians will head to Carmarthenshire this weekend as Llandeilo Literature Festival returns for its 10th year.

The festival, which began as a small book fair in 2016, has grown into one of south Wales’ leading literary events.

This year’s event runs from Friday, April 24, to Sunday, April 26, with a wide-ranging programme of talks, poetry readings, live performances, workshops and family activities across the town.

The festival celebrates Welsh and English language literature, culture and the arts, with organisers saying the programme offers something for devoted readers, families, writers and anyone interested in stories, creativity and performance.

BILINGUAL FESTIVAL

Llandeilo Lit Fest is one of the few festivals in Wales to fully embrace bilingual programming.

More than half of the events are held in Welsh, with translation available at adult sessions to make the programme accessible to wider audiences.

Subjects across the weekend include sport, politics, poetry, the environment, Welsh history, protest, walking, wild running, children’s literature, LGBTQ+ stories and creative writing.

Featured writers appearing this year include Fflur Dafydd, Gillian Clarke, Carwyn Graves, Menna Elfyn, Iola Ynyr and Jay Griffiths.

Sessions will be chaired by leading cultural figures including Owen Sheers, National Poet of Wales Hanan Issa, Manon Steffan Ros, Rhodri Gomer, Hanna Hopwood and Adam Price.

Herald editor Tom Sinclair will also chair Nigel Graddo’s talk at Hengwrt, Carmarthen Street, on Sunday, April 26, at 2:00pm.

POLITICS, PROTEST AND CULTURE

Former First Minister Mark Drakeford will be in conversation with Edwina Hart about the centenary of the General Strike and the literature it inspired in Wales.

Wyn Thomas will discuss the history of protest in Wales and the current debate around pylons in the Welsh countryside.

Andrew Green will present a talk on the history of walking in Wales, while Natalie Holborow will be in conversation about wild running with ultra-marathon runner and television presenter Lowri Morgan.

The closing event on Sunday, April 26, will be a talk by rugby player Ifan Phillips, chaired by Rhodri Gomer Davies.

Venues include Hengwrt, also known as The Shire Hall, which will host many of the talks as well as the festival bookshop.

Other venues include Horeb Chapel, Cegin Diod, The Hen Vic, St Teilo’s Church and Llandeilo’s new independent bookshop, Noisy Newt Books.

FAMILY EVENTS

Running alongside the main programme is KidsFest@the LitFest, a children’s festival offering storytelling, workshops and creative activities for families.

Many of the family activities will be free and held at Yr Hen Farchnad.

Aardman Animations will return for the third year with model-making workshops for all ages.

Television presenter and adventurer Will Millard will introduce audiences to real-life fascinating creatures, while Bardd Plant Cymru Siôn Tomos Owen and Children’s Laureate Nicola Davies will host workshops inspired by their latest books.

Adult creative workshops include lino printing, horror writing and textile workshops with the Calico Dress Project at Newton House.

PRIDE AND REPRESENTATION

Organisers say inclusivity is at the heart of the festival, with the programme championing representation and diverse voices.

Pride@LitFest, delivered in partnership with Pride Llandeilo, will celebrate LGBTQ+ stories and perspectives.

Ian H Watkins, of Steps fame, will discuss his new children’s book, while Bafta and Emmy award-winning writer Daf James will be in conversation with author Mike Parker about his life, career and television series Lost Boys and Fairies.

Alongside the literary programme, there will be free music across the weekend at the White Horse, with further performances at Civic Corner and in the courtyard of Pitchfork & Provision.

On Friday, April 24, Llandeilo storyteller Ceri John Phillips will perform an evening of tales with Will Anselm at Cegin Diod, accompanied by Neil Rosser and his Tywi Jazz Quartet.

On Saturday, April 25, the Civic Hall will host an evening of Welsh folk music featuring Elidyr Glyn, Mari Mathias and Lowri Evans.

Tickets and more information are available at llandeilolitfest.org.

News

Haverfordwest Hemp hustings to explore role in Wales’ future economy

Published

3 hours ago

April 25, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Debate at Haverhub to link agriculture, sustainability and Senedd election issues

A UNIQUE political and environmental debate is set to take place in Haverfordwest this weekend, bringing together the worlds of agriculture, sustainability and politics.

The “Hemp Hustings” event will be held at Haverhub on Sunday (Apr 26), with doors opening at 5:30pm.

Organised in partnership with Hemp Cymru, the event aims to explore how hemp production could play a role in Wales’ future economy, particularly in the context of the upcoming Senedd elections.

The organisers say the discussion will examine the crop’s potential across multiple sectors, including construction, agriculture, carbon reduction and rural jobs.

A spokesperson said: “What has hemp got to do with the Welsh economy and Senedd elections? Turns out – a whole lot.”

Hemp, once widely grown in Wales for rope and building materials, is increasingly being revisited as a sustainable crop with modern applications ranging from eco-friendly construction materials to textiles and food products.

The event will provide an opportunity for attendees to hear from speakers and engage in discussion about how policy decisions could influence the growth of the hemp industry in Wales.

It will take place at Haverhub Depot, Quay Street, Haverfordwest, and is open to the public. Entry is free, although a suggested donation of £5 is encouraged, with advance registration available online.

Organisers hope the hustings will spark wider debate about how Wales can balance economic growth with environmental responsibility, particularly in rural communities.