News

Delyth Evans: Business and young people a priority

Published

11 years ago

February 23, 2015

As part of a series of interviews with local parliamentary candidates standing at the general election in May, Deputy Editor Jon Coles spoke to
Delyth Evans, Labour candidate for South Pembrokeshire and West Carmarthenshire.

42 DIMOND STREET at 2pm, Pembroke Dock was the appointment. And I was late. Having abandoned the idea of Fish Week, the council had instead elected to host the International Festival of Road Works across Pembrokeshire.

Through the door of the campaign office, which used to be a shop, and there are some bare tables a few chairs and Delyth Evans on the phone trying to find out where I am. Quick introductions and apologies are in order. Time is a precious commodity for an election candidate and she has places to be.

The purpose of the interview is to find out more about the person who wants to unseat incumbent Conservative Simon Hart. Bearing in mind the time constraints, we move briskly to business.

“I was brought up in Carmarthenshire.” Delyth opens: “I was a journalist who worked for the BBC and HTV for ten years. When I felt I could no longer be politically neutral in my job, I left to join the Labour Party. I was very lucky to work for John Smith when he was Labour leader. I was John’s speechwriter for two years, he was a very good man, who died very suddenly. I left politics before returning to sit in the Welsh Assembly during its first term. I had very young children and it was tough combining a political career with being a parent. After the Assembly, I worked for a charity focussing on helping women from difficult backgrounds access employment and other services.”

The challenges facing a candidate – any candidate – in the current climate are well-known and we asked Delyth Evans her view about them: “The main challenge is that people think politicians are the same. There is a cynicism about politics and disengagement by the electorate. The biggest challenge for politicians is dispelling the notion that we are all the same. Someone said to me recently that politicians never seem to have had any work experience outside politics. I would say that I certainly have a lot of work experience and a broader life experience upon which to draw.”

Looking at Carmarthenshire West and South Pembrokeshire, Delyth was clear as to the task that would face a new member: “For this constituency, the major challenge is the regional economy. I am convinced that what is needed is a government that is prepared to intervene to help businesses. The market alone, which is the current government’s approach, cannot and will not work. There are different choices the government could make that would make a positive difference to their lives.”

On local businesses and issues that affect them Delyth Evans had spoken with them about their priorities: “I spend a lot of time talking to local businesses and try to find out what local businesses need from government to help them grow. As an MP, my role will be to support and help businesses get the best deal from government.”

On the European issue, Delyth is eager to make a clear statement about the importance of Europe to local businesses: “Europe – and our future trading relationship with Europe – is often raised with me. Businesses are clear about the importance of European markets to them. The Tories are, in my view, playing fast and loose on the issue. Businesses need certainty and, for their own reasons, the Conservatives are creating uncertainty.”

On her personal priorities, she expresses a similarly clear viewpoint: “Young people are a priority. It’s about helping them find opportunities in their own areas without moving away. It’s about things like apprenticeships, training, housing – on which Labour has very good proposals: it is important that young people’s voices are heard and that they are engaged in the political process and on political issues. One of the things I am very keen on is to get young people to vote and to participate. It is not just about getting them to vote for me, but to vote.”

On the thorny issue of voting, the measure of the challenge is not lost on her: “Most of the people I speak to tell me they haven’t made up their mind about how they are going to vote. An awful lot of people have an open mind and are waiting to be persuaded. My job, if you like, is to persuade them to vote for me. I’ve been the Labour candidate here for over a year. It has become a lot easier to engage with people on the issues as the election has drawn nearer. People are now focussed on May’s election.”

As for what would come after a possible Labour victory, she told The Herald: “The main challenge a Labour government would face would be how to get real growth back into the economy. Austerity is making harder for new businesses to succeed and for the economy to grow. That is why we cannot afford another five years of a Conservative government. In Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire the focus needs to be on encouraging high skilled jobs in new technologies. Labour is talking about creating a regional investment bank to support new businesses. For young people it is very much getting those apprenticeships and training opportunities. Labour is looking at vocational training equivalent to A Level and beyond. It is vital the building blocks are in place to help us capitalise on economic growth and be ready for the future.”

The difficult ground in the constituency was not shirked: “The issues that come up most often are jobs and health. That’s what comes up on the doorstep. People do not like it when English politicians, like David Cameron, run down the NHS and the NHS in Wales. Any other party in power in Wales would have had to make similar, if not the same, decisions about the health service in Wales as those decisions were based on clinical guidance. I agree with the idea that part of the problem is the failure of the Health Board to communicate properly about its strategy. I spoke with Bernadine Rees, the Chair of the Health Board this morning, and we discussed that point. I know that the Board is currently holding a series of public engagement events across the area and that the feedback being generated from those is being taken on board in terms of how the Board can better communicate. There was always going to be huge opposition to services being moved and I completely understand that. What we need to know now is that there will not be continuous revolution; that Withybush’s future is secure; that the right model is in place for the future. There is a job to be done to reassure people about that.”

Read part two of this interview in next week’s edition of The Herald.

News

Local Conservatives launch campaign with pledge to protect local health services

Published

20 minutes ago

April 2, 2026

Tom Sinclair

THE WELSH CONSERVATIVE team has officially launched its campaign for the new Ceredigion Penfro constituency, pledging to protect vital local health services including Withybush Hospital and Bronglais Hospital.

Leading the campaign are current Senedd Members Paul Davies and Samuel Kurtz, who were joined by members of the Welsh Conservative team and fellow Ceredigion Penfro candidates Claire George, Brian Murphy, Jill Evans and Claire Jones.

At the launch, held outside Withybush Hospital, the team set out its vision for improving healthcare provision across west Wales. The campaign will focus on protecting and strengthening services at Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest and Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth, both seen as essential lifelines for rural communities in Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion.

Paul Davies said: “Residents across Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion deserve access to high-quality healthcare close to home. We have consistently stood up for Withybush Hospital and will always fight to defend it. Any attempt to downgrade services is simply unacceptable.”

Samuel Kurtz added: “Labour has overseen the downgrading of local health services, while Plaid has enabled it by propping up Labour budgets in the Senedd. Reform has been silent on cuts to Withybush and Bronglais hospitals. Only Paul, myself and the Welsh Conservatives are standing up for our local health services, from Withybush and Bronglais to GP and dental access.”

The Welsh Conservatives said their campaign would focus on protecting and improving services at both hospitals, cutting waiting times, improving access to GPs and dentists, securing fairer healthcare funding for rural areas, and ensuring local voices are heard in decisions about health provision.

They said rural healthcare needs tailored solutions and long-term investment, rather than further centralisation of services away from local communities.

Paul Davies added: “This campaign is rooted in the priorities of local people who have trusted us to deliver. We have a strong track record of action, and we will continue to stand up for our hospitals, support local businesses and farmers, and fight for a healthcare system that works for everyone, no matter where they live.

“This election is about making sure west Wales has a strong, experienced voice focused on what really matters – our NHS, our economy and our future.

“After more than two decades of Labour running Wales, too many public services are still falling short, especially in rural areas like ours.”

Mr Kurtz said: “Paul and I have experience, and we have put that experience into practice by working hard for our communities. That experience will matter in a larger Senedd. We are ready to hit the ground running and fight for west Wales, no matter who ends up running the Government.”

The campaign will now continue across the constituency, with candidates meeting residents and listening to their priorities.

Aled Thomas, Chair of the Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion Conservative Federation, said: “With six Senedd Members representing the new constituency under the new voting system, every vote matters, and every vote for the Welsh Conservatives can help return Paul and Sam.

“Both Paul and Sam are well known locally, with years of experience standing up for west Wales. They understand the issues that matter, they are proud to serve, and they have consistently worked hard to get results.”

Photo caption: Welsh Conservative candidates Paul Davies, Samuel Kurtz, Claire George, Brian Murphy, Jill Evans and Claire Jones launched their Ceredigion Penfro Senedd campaign on Wednesday (Apr 2) with a pledge to protect local health services.

News

Police search for distressed man in Pennar ends safely

Published

1 hour ago

April 2, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Concerns for welfare raised in early-hours incident near Bentlass Terrace

POLICE were called to Pennar in the early hours of Sunday (Mar 29) after concerns were raised for the welfare of a man near Bentlass Terrace.

Dyfed-Powys Police said officers received a call at around 2:45am reporting concerns for the individual’s safety.

A search was carried out in the area and the man was later located before being taken to hospital.

The incident is understood to have happened near the garages at Bentlass Terrace, with witnesses reporting a police presence in the area between around 3:00am and 5:00am.

The force has not released further details about the circumstances, but confirmed the matter was treated as a welfare concern rather than a criminal incident.

A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police told The Herald: “Dyfed-Powys Police received a call reporting concerns for the welfare of an individual at around 2.45am on Sunday, March 29.

“A search was conducted for the man, who was located and taken to hospital.”

The Herald understands officers acted quickly after the report was made, and the man was found alive and given medical assistance.

Crime

Driver spared jail after crash killed young couple

Published

2 hours ago

April 2, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A PEMBROKE DOCK driver who caused the deaths of a young couple in a road crash has been given a suspended prison sentence.

Alexander MacCallum, aged 28, of Llanreath, Pembroke Dock, was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court to 16 months in prison, suspended for 12 months. He was also banned from driving for 18 months.

MacCallum had previously admitted two counts of causing death by careless driving when he appeared before the same court on 9 February.

The case related to a fatal two-vehicle collision on the A477 near Llanddowror at about 3:50pm on 13 June 2024.

The court heard that MacCallum was driving a Jaguar XKR when he lost control in wet conditions, crossed the carriageway and collided with a Ford Fiesta being driven by Adam Muskett, aged 27. His partner, Katie Worrell, aged 25, was a passenger in the car.

Mr Muskett died at the scene. Ms Worrell was taken to hospital with catastrophic injuries but died later the same day.

In a joint family statement, relatives of the couple said: “We would like to thank the emergency services who attended that fateful day and the people who stopped to help Katie and Adam. We are forever grateful to them.

“We recognise the sentence of the court, but there is no sentence that will ever bring our children and siblings back. We appreciate the work of Dyfed-Powys Police and the Crown Prosecution Service to secure a conviction.

“Adam and Katie’s deaths were unnecessary. Had the defendant not driven his car in the manner that he did, they would still be with us.

“We now wish for privacy after what has been a long and difficult journey to the conclusion of this prosecution.

“We urge everyone to consider the manner and speed in which they drive their vehicles.”

PC Lucy Brookes, from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “Following the tragic deaths of Adam and Katie, a full investigation into the collision was launched, and after consideration of the evidence it was deemed that MacCallum’s manner of driving was inappropriate for the very poor weather conditions.

“He was charged through a postal requisition in November 2025 and has now been sentenced.

“This has been a lengthy investigation into an incident which claimed the lives of two young people. While nothing can undo the loss of Adam and Katie, it is hoped that today’s sentence goes some way to providing justice for their loved ones, who have shown incredible strength throughout this process. Our thoughts very much remain with them.”