News

Milford Haven: Plaid Leader speaking at public meeting this week

Published

8 years ago

June 19, 2018

PLAID CYMRU Leader Leanne Wood is visiting Milford Haven to set out a radical agenda for ensuring that ‘decisions affecting Wales are made in Wales’ through a programme of democratisation and empowerment.

Leanne will be speaking at a public meeting in the Pill Social Centre, Cellar Hill, Milford Haven, on Thursday (Jun 21) at 6.30pm, to outline these ideas and hear from people in the area about their aspirations for Pembrokeshire and Wales.

The wide-ranging pamphlet, with ideas ranging from education to enterprise to democratic reform, emphasises giving people a greater say over the matters that affect them and their communities. Leanne Wood says it’s vital to re-engage individuals with politics and challenge the despair that has dominated in light of a decade of cuts and the vote to leave the EU.

The Plaid Cymru Leader states that the Tories and Labour present a false choice between top-down, increasingly regressive right-wing politics, and the latter’s London-centric agenda with its stubborn refusal to yield power from Westminster or Cardiff.

The public meeting will be the local launch of the pamphlet as Leanne Wood embarks on a tour of Wales hosting public meetings to discuss the ideas contained in the pamphlet and engage with people on a grassroots level.

Leanne Wood said: “I want people throughout Wales to consider how we can lift up our country by taking responsibility for our own affairs and our own lives, and on how we can start a debate in Wales about ending our dependence on others.

“I have analysed the challenges facing our country: challenges from within the UK, challenges that following the Brexit vote, not least the risk an extreme Tory Brexit poses to Welsh jobs and services, as well as the challenges we face from global developments.

“Decisions about Wales should be made in Wales. Self-determination means that we should choose which powers we want to share with other countries or with Europe.

Yet neither an intensification of neoliberalism, nor the resurrection of British state socialism will provide the solutions that are needed to solve our economic challenges and turn Wales around.

“Both visions offered by the two largest Westminster parties marginalise our specific needs as a nation.

“We need to get out there and show people how the core weakness of Labour’s paternalistic, centralising socialism is its democratic deficit. It will neither enable people to own their own resources nor run them democratically. It won’t empower people because it doesn’t trust people.

“We should look at locating new institutions outside where they are concentrated already, as Plaid Cymru has advocated for the new transport authority, football museum, national development bank, and other bodies. We want to see more powers devolved within Wales to ensure places like Pembrokeshire see the benefits.

“It means ensuring that the poorest areas of the country can benefit from a sustainable regional approach to economic development.

“This is about levelling up and treating geographic inequality as a problem to be tackled in the same way as other inequalities.

“For my party, it means we would legislate to ensure that legal safeguards were in place to fairly share public investment across the country, leaving no community behind.

“I also want to see a minimum set of social rights for all, such as to life-long learning, a decent home, a high standard of health care and a clean environment.

“Other principles here include using public money for public good; maximising people’s participation in democracy; co-operating as individuals instead of competing with one another; and learning from our history to look forward with hope, instead of backwards with nostalgia.

“People want a radical political voice that represents all parts of Wales and that’s what Plaid Cymru can provide.”

This comes after Ms Wood saying that she will stand down as leader of Plaid Cymru after the 2021 election if she is not First Minister.

Ms Wood has not been challenged as leader since her election in 2012, but it is understood that there is disquiet among Plaid AMs over her performance.

News

Welsh peace campaigner removed from court during Palestine protest case

Published

3 minutes ago

February 4, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Concerns raised over use of terrorism laws against silent sign-holders as Welsh activist among those ejected from London hearings

A WELSH peace campaigner was among several protesters removed from court by security staff this week as plea hearings continued for people charged under terrorism legislation for holding pro-Palestine signs.

Angie Zelter, aged 74, from Knucklas, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London on Monday as part of mass proceedings linked to the Government’s ban on Palestine Action.

Campaigners say hundreds of people across the UK – including some in Wales – have been charged under Section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000 after quietly holding handwritten signs reading: “I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action.”

Zelter, a long-time anti-war activist and founder of Trident Ploughshares, attempted to read a prepared statement criticising the prosecutions before being escorted from the courtroom, according to supporters.

She told the court she did not accept being labelled a terrorist for what she described as peaceful protest and opposition to the war in Gaza.

Outside the building, fellow campaigners said she had sought to argue that international law and freedom of expression should protect non-violent dissent.

Also removed from the hearing was Tim Crosland, co-founder of Defend Our Juries, who said he had tried to raise legal objections to the charges before being asked to leave.

Arrests nationwide

Organisers of the “Lift The Ban” campaign claim nearly 3,000 people have been arrested across Britain since late 2025 for taking part in silent vigils, with several hundred now facing prosecution. The offences carry a maximum sentence of six months in prison.

The group argues the legislation is being used to criminalise peaceful protest. It is calling on the Government to lift the ban on Palestine Action and to change its stance on military cooperation with Israel.

However, ministers have defended the proscription, saying the organisation has been linked to criminal damage and disruption at sites connected to defence manufacturing.

Welsh perspective

While most hearings are taking place in London, campaigners say demonstrators in Wales have also taken part in sign-holding protests.

Civil liberties advocates have warned that applying terrorism laws to non-violent protest risks setting a troubling precedent.

For many in mid Wales, the sight of a pensioner from rural Powys being removed from a courtroom has sharpened debate over where the line lies between legitimate protest and criminality.

Further hearings are scheduled in the coming weeks, with more defendants from across the UK expected to appear.

Finance

Barclays raises mortgage rates by up to 0.15% in fresh blow to borrowers

Published

7 minutes ago

February 4, 2026

Tom Sinclair

HOMEOWNERS and buyers have been dealt another setback after Barclays became the latest high street lender to increase mortgage rates, pushing up fixed deals by as much as 0.15%.

The move follows similar rises from HSBC and Nationwide Building Society, signalling a broader shift across the market after months of gradually falling prices.

Barclays confirmed that residential purchase and remortgage products will both increase.

Among the changes, its five-year fixed remortgage deal at 60% loan-to-value (LTV) rises from 4.00% to 4.15%. The product requires a minimum £50,000 loan and allows borrowing up to £2 million.

Purchase-only deals are also affected. A five-year fixed rate at 60% LTV with an £899 fee climbs from 3.79% to 3.90%, while a two-year fixed deal increases from 3.77% to 3.85%.

Industry experts say the rises reflect growing funding costs and cooling expectations of imminent interest rate cuts.

Jonathan Alvarez Herrera, mortgage consultant at Ayla Mortgages said: “Barclays’ decision to increase mortgage rates is a clear sign that the recent downward momentum in pricing has stalled. Borrowers had been seeing improvements in recent months, but this repricing shows lenders are reacting to higher costs and changing market expectations.

“Barclays is not acting alone. HSBC and Nationwide have already moved, which suggests this is a market-wide correction rather than an isolated decision.

“With swap rates edging higher, lenders are rebuilding margins. Markets also expect the Bank of England to remain cautious, meaning rate cuts could be slower than previously hoped.”

Mortgage brokers pointed to rising SONIA swap rates and inflation ticking up to 3.4% in December, from 3.2% the month before, as key drivers behind the increases.

The changes may frustrate buyers hoping that 2026 would bring cheaper borrowing costs, particularly first-time purchasers and households coming off fixed deals agreed during the low-rate period.

With several major lenders now moving in the same direction, brokers warn others could follow if funding costs remain elevated.

News

Paris in February made easy with special direct Air France flights from Cardiff

Published

8 hours ago

February 4, 2026

Tom Sinclair

TRAVELLING to Paris has never been simpler for Welsh holidaymakers, with Air France launching a series of special direct weekend services from Cardiff Airport to the French capital this month.

The limited-period flights offer a convenient, non-stop journey of under two hours to Paris, giving passengers more time to enjoy the city’s culture, cuisine and famous landmarks without the hassle of connections or long road transfers to other UK airports.

Timed perfectly for winter city breaks and Valentine’s getaways, the services run between February 13 and February 16, making them ideal for long weekends.

February is widely considered one of the best times to visit the French capital, with fewer crowds and a relaxed, romantic atmosphere. Visitors can explore world-famous attractions including the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe and Notre-Dame Cathedral, browse galleries at the Louvre and Musée d’Orsay, or simply enjoy cafés, bistros and Michelin-starred dining across the city.

With Valentine’s Day falling during the operating period, the flights offer couples an easy escape for scenic walks along the Seine, memorable meals and classic Parisian experiences.

Jon Bridge, CEO of Cardiff Airport, said: “We’re delighted to offer direct flights to such a vibrant city for Valentine’s weekend. Cardiff Airport is expanding its reach, giving customers an easy, friendly travel experience and fantastic options. We’ve listened to passenger demand and are excited to make this opportunity possible, with more to come from Cardiff.”

Seats are available now via airfrance.co.uk and through travel agents. As availability is limited, early booking is recommended.

Flight schedule

Cardiff (CWL) to Paris (CDG)

• Feb 13 – AF4149 – 6:20pm → 8:50pm
• Feb 14 – AF4149 – 3:20pm → 5:50pm
• Feb 15 – AF4149 – 9:20am → 11:50am
• Feb 15 – AF4151 – 9:00pm → 11:30pm
• Feb 16 – AF4149 – 9:20am → 11:50am
• Feb 16 – AF4151 – 5:50pm → 8:20pm

Paris (CDG) to Cardiff (CWL)

• Feb 13 – AF4148 – 5:00pm → 5:30pm
• Feb 14 – AF4148 – 2:00pm → 2:30pm
• Feb 15 – AF4148 – 8:00am → 8:30am
• Feb 15 – AF4150 – 7:40pm → 8:10pm
• Feb 16 – AF4148 – 8:00am → 8:30am
• Feb 16 – AF4150 – 4:30pm → 5:00pm