News

Labour leader receives hero’s welcome in Haverfordwest

Published

6 years ago

December 10, 2019

AROUND 1000 people waited patiently in a drizzly and cold Castle Square for the Labour Leader’s visit to Haverfordwest. Despite being around an hour late, the crowd remained cheerful – listening to music from the stage, and speeches from various local contributors.

Just before Jeremy Corbyn took to the stage, Labour’s Preseli Pembrokeshire candidate, Phillipa Thompson addressed the crowd.
She is hoping to gain the the 300 odd extra votes she missed out on in 2017 to get elected.
The candidate addressed the crowd: “Good evening Haverfordwest!”
The crowd cheered loudly; Mrs Thompson went continued: “I’m delighted to be here alongside our leader of the Labour Party, Jeremy Corbyn. And Jeremy, the first time I met you was when you spoke to a group of us from the foreign office about working in parliament. And you spoke passionately about the shortage of housing in your constituency of Islington North. And if I remember rightly your first question as prime minister when you became leader of the opposition was about housing. So, I have the good fortune to have the opportunity later this week to be elected to represent the constituents of Preseli Pembrokeshire with just as much passion and just as much care as Jeremy has represented his constituents, and would now represent all of us for this country.

“Pembrokeshire is a fantastic place to live, and a fantastic place to visit. However, many of our young people in particular leave to find work. I would like see people Have more opportunities here in Pembrokeshire so that they have more choice. So, I hope Jeremy not to see you here only at election time but to welcome you back here again as Prime Minister.
Working together we can all make labour’s ambitious plans a reality for everyone in our country. With change coming right along the M4 and carrying on to this far-western edge of Wales.
I say on behalf of all of us here: Croeso i’r Sir Benfro – welcome to Pembrokeshire, Jeremy Corbyn!”

It was the moment the crowd had been waiting for.
Jeremy Corbyn took to the stage: “Good evening Haverfordwest… good evening Preseli Pembrokeshire!”
“Are you going to win it for Labour on Thursday? Is Phillipa going to be your next MP?
“This election is going to be about justice for people all over Britain.
“Last night you saw in the debate that was going on – you saw that the Prime Minister represents a party that is created and funded by billionaires.
“You saw that the only solution to his problems is a trade deal with the United States, which will put the NHS at risk of American companies taking it over.
“You can see what they are doing in this election campaign.
“A party for billionaires, funded by billionaires for the in equality of this country.
“Well, is it right that in the fifth richest country in the world there are five million children living in poverty? That over Christmas more than 100,000 children will know the security of a safe home in which to live? That thousands of people will be sleeping rough over Christmas in parks and tents, stations and bus stations, and all other places – they just try and find somewhere to survive. And all the while that gap between the richest and the poorest has just got wider, and wider, and wider.
“In 2010, the Tories and Liberal Democrats got together and formed a coalition government and decided to make the political choice – and it was a political choice – of austerity. They used it to cut local government spending in England – to cut the budget of the government of Wales.
“They used it to freeze benefits, to freeze public sector wages, to introduce Universal Credit – and to create – quite deliberately – poverty in the lives of very many millions of people.
“Most working-class families have a spending power of between 20 and 25% less than ten years ago. Small wonder that all over the country in Wales, England and Scotland, high streets are struggling to survive. Shops struggling to survive because of that loss of spending power. And so, we cannot go on like this as a country. We cannot go on with this degree of inequality and the levels of stress it creates in society. The growth of mental health stress and the mental health crisis. The growth of debt. Personal debt, household debt and student debt all over the UK. Surely to goodness we need to do things differently.
“And when the United Nations – yes, the United Nations – sends a special rapporteur to Britain you must ask yourself the question: Hang on a minute, we’re supposed to be a rich country. “We’re supposed to have a welfare state. We’re supposed to be a country which reaches out to everyone, and that report says that the 1940’s contract between the people and the government that says nobody should be in destitution has been “cast aside” and replaced in their words by “a cold and uncaring ethos”

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Farming

Plaid urged to move faster on farming reforms amid subsidy concerns

Published

39 minutes ago

May 25, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Welsh Conservatives accuse Plaid Cymru of failing farmers as ministers call for patience over changes to agricultural support

CONCERNS over the pace of farming reforms in Wales have intensified after the Welsh Conservatives accused the Welsh Government of failing to act quickly enough on promised changes to agricultural subsidy schemes.

The criticism comes after Welsh Government Rural Resilience and Sustainability Minister, Llyr Gruffydd, urged farmers to be patient as major changes to support payments continue to be developed.

Speaking to ITV Wales, Mr Gruffydd acknowledged that “change is difficult” as the government seeks to reshape agricultural support across rural Wales. The comments come at a time of growing unease among parts of the farming community over the future of post-Brexit subsidy arrangements and concerns about financial pressures facing farms.

The reforms centre on replacing previous support systems with a new approach intended to balance food production, environmental sustainability and rural resilience. However, some farmers and unions have warned that uncertainty over payments and policy changes risks damaging confidence in the sector.

Reacting to the minister’s remarks, Welsh Conservative Shadow Farming Minister, Andrew RT Davies, said Plaid Cymru was not moving quickly enough to deliver on commitments made to Welsh farmers.

Mr Davies said: “Change is not difficult – contrary to Plaid Cymru separatists’ claims.

“If the will is there, there’s no reason reforms can’t be implemented immediately.

“Plaid Cymru separatists must fulfil their promises to Welsh farmers now.”

The comments reflect wider political tensions over the direction of farming policy in Wales, with opposition parties arguing that delays and uncertainty are creating anxiety for agricultural businesses already facing rising costs and economic pressures.

Farming remains a major part of the Welsh economy, particularly in rural counties such as Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion, where many communities rely heavily on agriculture and associated industries.

The Welsh Government has previously said changes to support schemes are aimed at creating a more sustainable long-term future for farming, though ministers have acknowledged the transition period will take time and may prove challenging for some in the industry.

The debate over subsidy reform is likely to remain a key political battleground as the government finalises details of its future support model and seeks to reassure farmers concerned about their livelihoods.

Community

Milford paddling pool could close after rowdy adults seen throwing glass bottles

Published

47 minutes ago

May 25, 2026

Tom Sinclair

MILFORD HAVEN TOWN COUNCIL has warned that the town’s paddling pool could be drained and closed if anti-social behaviour continues.

The warning follows an incident today in which rowdy adults were reportedly drinking alcohol from glass bottles inside the pool enclosure and throwing a glass bottle around.

The council also said people were seen smoking cannabis just outside the gate.

In a statement, Milford Haven Town Council said the behaviour was “highly dangerous, irresponsible and inconsiderate” and “cannot and will not be tolerated”.

The council warned: “If this sort of behaviour continues we will have no choice but to consider draining and closing the pool.”

The paddling pool is run voluntarily by a dedicated group of councillors for the benefit of local families and visitors.

The council is now urging people to act responsibly so the facility can remain open and be enjoyed safely by everyone.

Business

WestJet’s first Toronto flight lands at Cardiff Airport

Published

51 minutes ago

May 25, 2026

Tom Sinclair

New seasonal service restores direct link between Wales and Canada after nearly 20 years

CARDIFF AIRPORT has welcomed the first WestJet flight from Toronto, marking the return of a direct air link between Wales and Canada for the first time in almost 20 years.

The inaugural service from Toronto Pearson International Airport landed at Cardiff on Saturday (May 23), officially launching a new transatlantic route between South Wales and North America.

Passengers on the first arrival were greeted with a traditional water cannon salute, while Penarth choir Criw Canu welcomed the crew and customers with Welsh songs at the aircraft steps.

The new route will operate four times a week using WestJet’s Boeing 737-8 MAX aircraft. Cardiff Airport said the service would open up new opportunities for tourism, business, investment and cultural links between Wales and Canada.

Toronto Pearson is also a major hub, offering onward connections to more than 100 destinations across Canada and the United States, including Calgary, Halifax, Vancouver and Florida.

Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy, Adam Price MS, attended the launch alongside guests including Vale of Glamorgan Council leader Cllr Lis Burnett, Lord-Lieutenant of South Glamorgan Morfudd Meredith, Ontario’s Agent-General in London Sophia Arvanitis, Visit Wales and aviation industry partners.

Mr Price said: “WestJet’s inaugural flight from Cardiff to Toronto is a powerful signal to the world that our nation is open for business.

“Direct transatlantic connectivity like this is exactly what Welsh businesses need to reach new markets, attract investment and grow and it reinforces our ambition to make Wales one of the best-connected economies in the UK.

“Cardiff Airport is a vital piece of our economic infrastructure, and today’s milestone is something to celebrate.”

Jon Bridge, Chief Executive Officer of Cardiff Airport, described the launch as a landmark moment for the airport and for Wales.

He said: “The arrival of WestJet’s direct service gives customers easier access to Toronto and onward destinations across North America. It firmly strengthens Cardiff Airport’s position as the international gateway for Wales.

“We are proud to welcome WestJet and excited about the long-term potential of this partnership.”

Chris White-DeVries, WestJet Senior Manager Hub Strategy and Airport Affairs, said the route was an important addition to the airline’s transatlantic network.

He said: “WestJet’s new seasonal offering makes it easier for more people to discover everything South Wales and Canada have to offer, while staying closely connected to friends, family and business opportunities.

“Cardiff plays an important role in our growing transatlantic network, and we are proud to offer our guests from Wales more convenient access to Canada.”

The Cardiff to Toronto service departs Cardiff at 11:35am on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Toronto to Cardiff flights depart at 10:10pm on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.