News

Badger and the Europeans

Published

11 years ago

March 5, 2015

badger84image BADGER, as befits a homebody, does not agree with abroad. Not because Badger dislikes foreigners, but because he likes where he is just fine. In fact, Badger has seldom ventured to what used to be called “the Continongt” by people who had studied French — or at least read one of Elizabeth David’s recipe books. Badger went to France many moons ago to discover that it smelled disconcertingly of wee and stale sweat everywhere he went.

He went to The Netherlands (to play rugby, of all things) and discovered through bitter (or, rather, lager) experience that livers have their limits. Other than those experiences, Badger has preferred the attractions of the United Kingdom. Apart from Edinburgh, that is. Badger was aghast to find that Edinburgh was disconcertingly even fuller of angry Scottish people than Pembroke Dock. Badger’s hot tip for recognising a true Scot (other than their accent) is to note that the greater the praise a Scot heaps on virtues of their home nation, the less likely they are to have recently been there.

Badger’s curiosity about “abroad” has been recently captured by the unfolding spectacle of the European elections: on the televisual entertainment doo-dad that sits in the corner casting its baleful gleam, in the newspapers, and by the generous delivery to his door of free toilet tissue bearing David Cameron’s face. Readers, it’s a dirty job, but someone has to do it. Keenly interested in matters political, Badger enjoyed the comedy of the campaign. He was particularly amused by its star turn, Nigel Farage, who appears to be the political equivalent of a dancing dog act on one of Simon Cowell’s no-talent talent shows: a novelty, whose routine appeals superficially but does not bear up to too close scrutiny.

It was delightful to see Nige being dragged away by UK1P’s press officer Patrick O’Flynn, from a gaffe-littered interview. if it didn’t say enough for Nige’s political nous that he managed to be taken by surprise by so many of his policies live on air, the revelation that his press officer worked for the Daily Express must surely call his wider judgement into question. That the English newspapers have been big on UKIP is hardly surprising: owned by trans-Atlantic corporations, tax-dodging family trusts and overseas investment vehicles, national newspaper proprietors are the enemies of the type of regulation and tax enforcement threatened by a closer European union.

Now, after the votes have been counted and the seats allocated, Labour and Conservative politicians are apparently trying to work out how to deal with “the UK1P threat”. They may as well try to nail jelly to a wall. Such are the vagaries of the British electoral system, what can be said of UKIP with certainty is that the votes it takes away from the main parties will serve only to keep one or the other of them in power in Westminster. For all its vaunted success, UK!P captured the votes of fewer than 10% of electors last Thursday. Let’s look at some policies UK1P espoused at the last general election: things we can all rally around, readers. Remember, these are REAL policies espoused by a REAL party at a REAL election. It wanted your votes then and wants them next year, too.
• “UKIP will encourage a return to proper dress for major hotels, restaurants and theatres — smarter dress is part of Britishness, although it is also a British virtue to encourage innovation in fashion.”

• “UKIP will return London’s Circle line to a circle?’
• “UKIP will encourage a return to the glamour, grace and style of the railway companies of the past through its railway policies. UKIP seeks a return to Tullman’ trains where justified, with appropriate branding such as ‘Great Western Railway’, one of the most successful British brands ever.”

To be fair to Nige, he has now disowned those policies and has limited his public pronouncements to less contentious matters such as:

• The gap in pay between men and women is just ‘the way the world works” because of biology. He also said motherhood was “a lifestyle choice”;
• Germans make better neighbours than Romanians (try telling that to the Polish);
• He feels discomfort that people speak languages other than English in public (Da lawn diolch, Nige!).
UKTP can be mocked as a nostalgia trip back to a time when the world was fresh; when the map of the globe was reassuringly largely pink in colour; when everyone could rally round and “chant two world wars and one world cup! Doo-dah! Doo-Dah!” without fear of offending Nick Clegg. UKIP has stepped into the vacuum left by the main parties’ urge to cluster like moths around the flame of the so-called “middle ground”. It has espoused a populist nostalgic appeal to “traditional” values and “traditional” attitudes.

And, readers, nothing could be more traditional than British xenophobia: a phenomenon so remarkable it was considered noteworthy by our European neighbours in the fifteenth century (along with drunkenness and sexual profligacy, by the way — plus ca change…). The large national parties have become divorced from the mass of the people; their leaders are airbrushed professional machine politicians who do not so much make policy pronouncements as strike a pose.

Having stopped being real people with real flaws, national political leaders are now a class apart, kept separate from the mass of humanity lest they express opinions. Where image is all, content is absent. Cameron, Clegg and Milliband could have been stamped out using cookie cutters, so woven from the same cloth are they. Any of them could easily be the leaders of Anyparty in Anyland. Whatever his flaws are – and there appear to be many, readers – the same cannot be said of the UK!? leader.

Education

Ysgol Henry Tudor reassures parents over Sikh ceremonial kirpan

Published

10 hours ago

March 26, 2026

Tom Sinclair

School says religious item worn by pupil is secured, symbolic and non-functional

YSGOL HENRY TUDOR has moved to reassure parents after confirming that a pupil is wearing a ceremonial kirpan as part of their Sikh faith.

The development comes after around a dozen parents with children at the school contacted The Herald expressing concern about the situation. The Herald has contacted the local authority for comment.

In a letter sent to parents on Wednesday (Mar 25), the school explained that a Sikh family had recently joined the school community, and that the pupil is an Amritdhari Sikh — meaning they are required to wear certain articles of faith.

One of these is the kirpan, a small ceremonial blade which holds deep religious significance within Sikhism.

The school stressed that in this case the kirpan is “small, sheathed and secured,” and cannot be unsheathed. It added that the item is worn purely as a symbol of faith and “not as a functional item.”

Reassurance over safety

The letter made clear that appropriate steps have been taken to ensure the situation is managed safely and in line with safeguarding responsibilities and UK law.

School leaders said they remain committed to respecting the religious beliefs of all pupils while maintaining a safe environment, adding that the matter will continue to be monitored “sensitively and appropriately.”

In some settings, schools may agree adjustments to how a kirpan is worn — such as ensuring it is very small, secured, or sealed — so that religious requirements are respected while maintaining safety.

Understanding the kirpan

The kirpan is one of the five articles of faith — known as the Five Ks — observed by initiated Sikhs. It symbolises a duty to stand up against injustice and to protect others.

Under UK law, Sikhs are permitted to carry a kirpan for religious reasons. In schools, these are typically very small, kept in a sheath, and often secured so they cannot be drawn.

Across the UK, many schools have policies in place to accommodate the wearing of the kirpan while ensuring appropriate safeguards are followed.

Promoting inclusion

The school’s letter reflects a wider approach across education settings in Wales and the UK, where inclusivity and respect for different faiths are balanced with clear safety measures.

No incidents relating to the matter have been reported.

Crime

Teen jailed after starting fire while others slept

Published

15 hours ago

March 26, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Fire set in shared home left sleeping residents at risk and caused £130,000 damage

A TEENAGER who started a fire in his bedroom while other residents slept has been jailed for four years.

Jack Gornall, aged 18, of no fixed abode, was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court after admitting a series of offences including arson, threats with a knife, assault, and sending malicious communications.

The court heard that in the early hours of Sunday (Nov 17), Gornall deliberately started a fire inside his room at a shared property on Mansel Street, Carmarthen.

He then barricaded the door before climbing out of a first-floor window, leaving others inside the building at risk.

One resident was asleep at the time and had to be rescued by police. Two officers were later treated for smoke inhalation after tackling the incident before firefighters brought the blaze under control.

The fire caused extensive damage to the property, estimated at around £130,000.

Prosecutor Dean Pulling told the court that Gornall had earlier gone out to buy cigarettes and a lighter, and had carried out internet searches relating to accelerants in the days leading up to the fire.

The court also heard details of other offences.

In October 2024, Gornall repeatedly contacted his sister after being blocked, including calling her child’s phone. When she answered, he became abusive and threatened to report her to social services.

On another occasion in January 2025, he approached a car in Llandysul and produced a kitchen knife, waving it at occupants through an open window. The driver sped away and alerted police.

He also admitted stealing alcohol from a supermarket in Carmarthen, during which he became aggressive and assaulted a member of staff.

Gornall pleaded guilty to all offences at an early stage.

Judge Catherine Richards sentenced him to four years’ detention in a Young Offender Institution.

Climate

Port Talbot confirmed as ‘cornerstone’ of wind industry — questions remain for Milford Haven

Published

15 hours ago

March 26, 2026

Tom Sinclair

New government-backed deal with ABP reinforces Port Talbot’s central role in Celtic Sea wind plans

PORT TALBOT has been firmly established as the “cornerstone” of the UK’s floating offshore wind ambitions in the Celtic Sea, following a major agreement between the UK Government and Associated British Ports.

The deal confirms government support for the development of large-scale port infrastructure at Port Talbot, enabling manufacturing, assembly and deployment of floating wind turbines for gigawatt-scale projects.

The announcement strengthens Port Talbot’s position as the primary industrial hub for the emerging sector.

Henrik L. Pedersen, Chief Executive of Associated British Ports, said the development would “establish the port as a cornerstone of the Celtic Sea floating offshore wind industry.”

Clear role for Port Talbot

The agreement, subject to final regulatory approval, will support the delivery of major offshore wind projects awarded through the latest Celtic Sea leasing round.

Government ministers visiting the site described the development as a key step in building the UK’s clean energy future.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said the project would help Wales “storm ahead in floating offshore wind,” supporting thousands of jobs and driving economic growth.

Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens added that the investment would “further cement Port Talbot as a hub of the industries of the future.”

Milford Haven still waiting for detail

The latest announcement comes just days after questions were raised about Milford Haven’s role within the wider Celtic Freeport.

While Port Talbot’s position as a manufacturing and assembly hub is now clearly defined, there has still been no detailed breakdown of what activity will be based in Pembrokeshire.

Industry figures continue to point to Milford Haven’s strengths in operations, maintenance, logistics and servicing of offshore wind projects.

However, no formal commitments have yet been made.

Industry backing grows

Developers involved in Celtic Sea wind projects welcomed the progress at Port Talbot, describing it as essential infrastructure for delivering future schemes.

Ocean Winds said strengthening port infrastructure was “essential” to ensuring regional ports can support the rollout of offshore wind.

The Crown Estate also described the move as a key step towards unlocking the economic potential of the Celtic Sea, which could create thousands of jobs across Wales and beyond.

Growing pressure for answers

With Port Talbot now firmly positioned at the centre of construction and deployment, attention is likely to turn to how other ports—including Milford Haven—fit into the wider strategy.

For Pembrokeshire, the question remains unchanged:

As billions of pounds flow into the Celtic Sea over the coming decade, will Milford Haven secure a defined share of that investment—or continue to wait for clarity?

Pictured above:

From left to right: Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, Rebecca Evans; David Rees MS for Aberavon; Minister for Energy Consumers, Martin McCluskey; Secretary of State Jo Stevens; Ashley Curnow, Divisional Port Manager (ABP); Julian Walker, Chief Commercial Officer and Regional Director (ABP), Mike Goddard, Head of Programme, Future Port Talbot (ABP)