Politics
Kinnock ‘should apologise’ for Powell comments
THE LEADER of the Welsh Conservatives has called upon the man who last led Labour in 1992 to apologise for ‘appalling’ comments about Eurosceptics.
Andrew RT Davies was referring to comments made by Neil Kinnock, in which he claimed that the former Labour leader likened the ‘isolationist’ approach adopted by some Conservatives to ‘Enoch Powell winning the argument from the grave.’
Mr Kinnock was talking to the BBC about his own change of heart on the European Union – having gone from supporting the ‘no’ campaign 40 years ago to serving as vice President of the European Commission. He added that this did not apply to all Conservatives ‘far from it, but there is an activist element, a zealous element and ideological element almost that’s pulled that party in the other direction.”
The reference was to Enoch Powell, the former Conservative Shadow Defence Secretary who was sacked by Ted Heath in 1968 following his infamous ‘rivers of blood’ speech.
Mr Davies said that there should be “a sensible, balanced and rational” debate over Britain’s membership of the European Union – at the appropriate time.
However, he warned that scaremongering on either side would not only undermine the campaign – it risked further overshadowing the Assembly elections in May.
Mr Davies, said: “Lord Kinnock should apologise for these appalling comments; it’s this kind of arrogance towards dissenting views which has placed our future in the EU in the balance.
“To equate moderate Euroscepticism with the offensive views of Enoch Powell is yet more evidence of the Labour Party’s scaremongering on the issue of our EU membership.
“It’s also incredibly rich for Labour politicians to bemoan what they see as extremist views, particularly when their Leader has expressed public sympathy for the IRA, and freely admits that he wants to hand the Falkland Islands to Argentina.
“Across Wales, the public’s appetite for a referendum on the EU is clear, but the debate should be sensible, balanced, and based on a rational case for leaving or staying.
“Not only do Lord Kinnock’s views unfairly stigmatise ordinary hardworking people, they undermine the very campaign he is supporting.
“Welsh Conservatives respect that a range of opinions on EU membership exist across our country.
“Recent polling showed 42 % in favour of leaving the EU, and 40 % in favour of remaining a member – so, at the right time, this is a discussion people want to have.
“Whilst, in the short-term, nothing should deflect from the upcoming Assembly election, I welcome that, thanks to the Conservative Party, people across Wales will now get to have that debate and make an informed, free choice.”
In the interview, Lord Kinnock said: “On the Right, of course, there are different factors at work. Basically, what we’ve got is an isolationist tendency which has become more substantial, and in a sense, Enoch Powell from his grave has been winning the argument.”
Last November, an aide to Conservative Shadow Economy Minister Will Graham, Daniel Mason, wrote: ‘Enoch Powell gave a speech “rivers of blood”… worth reading today… “Blood on the streets” the ranting of a mad racist or a visionary?’ shortly after the Paris attacks. He was given a written warning by Mr Graham.
News
Fresh questions over fire that ravaged Manorbier school
A senior Pembrokeshire councillor is to be quizzed on what progress has been made in recouping a £200,000 insurance excess paid by the council following the 2022 fire at a Manorbier school.
Manorbier Church in Wales VC School and its adjoining schoolhouse was severely damaged by a fire on October 11, 2022, which broke out in the school roof space.
Pupils and staff were successfully evacuated with no injuries, and a “school from school” was set up in Jameston Village Hall, after a brief period of sanctuary at the nearby Buttyland caravan site.
Pembrokeshire County Council’s insurers have previously said the fire was accidentally started while “hot works” were being carried out by contractors to renew an adjacent flat roof, but, as has previously been stressed, no liability had been accepted to date.
Councillors have previously heard the majority of costs were likely to be met from the council’s insurers, with the caveat of the unknown issue of liability and its effect on the £200,000 insurance excess.
A submitted question, by Councillor Aled Thomas, to be heard at the full council meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council on May 9, will ask Cabinet Member for Education and Welsh Language Cllr Guy Woodham “to update the chamber on what progress the Cabinet have made in recouping the £200,000 insurance excess paid following the devastating non-fault fire at Manorbier school”.
Councillors have previously been told by Cllr Woodham: “The legal issues are not straightforward but will be robustly taken forward.
“At this stage it’s still subject to legal discussion. The excess will be covered by a fund the council holds for insurance excess.”
He said that, if liability was found or accepted, the council would “pursue for the full maximum claim of the costs associated with the fire”.
Crime
Dafydd Llywelyn retains his post as our local commissioner
THE result of the election for the Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Commissioner election has been declared.
Plaid’s Dafydd Llywelyn retains his role as commissioner. He has held the role since 2016.
The result of the election is as follows:
- Justin Mark Griffiths (Lib Dem) 7,719
- Ian Harrison 19,134 (Con)
- Dafydd Llywelyn 31,323 (Plaid)
- Philippa Thompson (Lab) 18,353
Before the election, Dafydd Llywelyn promised: “As your current Commissioner, operational, front-line policing has, and always will come before party politics. I have a strong track record of delivering on my promises and of listening to the communities of Dyfed Powys. I am proud of what I have achieved since 2016, but there is still so much to do.
“I am an approachable individual and I believe in listening to all members of the community in order to shape a successful police force.
“Since 2016, I have increased resources whilst also retaining the lowest council tax levels in Wales. During that time, we’ve seen:
150 more Police Officers;
- 150 more Police Staff;
- A CCTV system that is monitored 24/7 by police staff;
- A dedicated rural crime team;
- A focus on county lines drug dealing to target organised crime;
- Investment in Youth Offending Teams to divert young people away from crime;
- A new Offender Diversionary Scheme to reduce re-offending.
If re – elected:
- I will safeguard Neighbourhood Policing resources retaining a visible local policing presence;
- I will invest in the Communications Centre to ensure an accessible service;
- I will continue to put the victim at the heart of the service and develop a truly victim led service;
- I will work with operational staff to keep local police stations open;
- I will invest in a new and refreshed School Police programme to deliver early intervention and preventative work;
- I will prioritise working in partnership with organisations and agencies to safeguard the most vulnerable in society.
“Your safety is my top priority. I want to ensure that the Dyfed Powys Police Force remains one of the safest places to live in Wales and England.”
News
Pembroke Power Station hydrogen fuel production hopes rise
A public consultation on plans to develop a green hydrogen production facility next to Pembroke Power Station has been launched by energy company RWE Generation UK.
The technology uses the electrolysis of water to split into its constituent elements, hydrogen for fuel and power, and oxygen.
RWE, in its consultation, says: “RWE is progressing proposals to develop a green hydrogen production facility on RWE’s land adjacent to the existing Pembroke Power Station and has launched a statutory pre-application consultation to inform stakeholders and the community.
“RWE values the input of the local community and feedback will be used to inform the plans. RWE Pembroke Green Hydrogen will facilitate the generation of green hydrogen. Green hydrogen is produced from water, using energy obtained from renewable sources.
“The hydrogen can then be used to decarbonise local industrial activities in South Wales, by displacing their current fossil fuel usage. The facility would be located on RWE’s site to the west of Pembroke Power Station and would benefit from being well-screened from local communities, while being accessed via the current power station access road.”
It adds: “It is expected that hydrogen generated by this facility for use in local industry would directly result in the reduction of approximately 93,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions each year, helping to secure a more sustainable future for South Wales’ long-standing industrial heritage. This CO2 saving is the equivalent of removing 18,600 cars from the road each year.”
The 23.7ha development site proposed comprises of a 4ha main electrolyser area, a 1.5km hydrogen gas pipeline corridor, an electrical connection to a high voltage transformer all located to the west of Pembroke Power Station, and an area for connections into the Pembroke Power Station and a cable corridor for connection into the National Grid Substation.
The consultation documents say: “The proposed development is a green hydrogen electrolysis plant that will consume circa 100-110MW of electricity to produce around 2 te/hr green hydrogen gas for third-party uses unrelated to Pembroke Power Station. Including the balance of plant, the total energy consumption for the proposed development will be approximately 140MW.
“The consequent reduction in use of fossil fuels due to substitution by green hydrogen gas, and avoided greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, is a beneficial operational effect of the proposed development.”
It says development of the project is expected to take 24 months, and subject to as-yet unsubmitted full plans’ approval, could be built by early 2027.
The consultation runs to May 20.
A hydrogen fuel plant facility was given the backing of county planners last October, at the former Puma Energy site in Milford Haven.
H2 Energy Ecosystem UK Limited sought permission for the erection of an electrolysis hydrogen generation facility, and associated storage facilities and works at the Amoco Road site.
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