News
Welsh council leaders call for ‘fair and respectful’ local election campaigns
COUNCIL leaders in Pembrokeshire and across Wales have called on all councillors and candidates at May’s local elections to “commit to a fair and respectful election campaign.”
It comes as they said an increasing number of councillors and candidates are “being subjected to abuse, threats and intimidation.”
A joint statement issued by the leaders of Wales’ 22 councils states: “We are all too familiar with the abuse we see in our inboxes, on our social media feeds or see and hear on our streets or, worse, at our homes.
“Politics should focus on facts and respectful debate about differences of policy or priorities, not insults or intolerance, misinformation or misogyny, discrimination or division.
“We are committed to attracting more diverse people to consider standing for election.
“We need to reassure and support those candidates who are newer to democratic life, those who are conscious they are in the minority or have already experienced discrimination.
“The council elections are about people who just want to contribute and who want to make a positive difference to our communities.
“Unfortunately, we are seeing an increasing number of councillors and candidates being subjected to abuse, threats and intimidation.
“As well as being totally unacceptable, this behaviour undermines the principles of free speech, democratic engagement and debate.
“We therefore endeavour to treat everyone with courtesy, kindness and respect and, as leaders, we stand together to call for an end to abuse, intimidation and harassment of any kind.
“This is particularly relevant as we enter the key period in the run up to the local government elections in May.”
They have pledged to “participate in a fair election campaign which is based on positive campaigning and merit, rather than personal attacks and smears against individuals.”
They said: “We encourage all elected members and candidates in the forthcoming election to do the same.
“In addition, we will publicly ‘call out’ any such inappropriate behaviour and take a zero-tolerance approach to abuse.
“We all have the right to carry out our civic duties without fear of being attacked or abused.”
Collectively they warn that “any inappropriate behaviour, whether that be verbal, physical or in writing on social media, is totally unacceptable and action will be taken if deemed necessary.”
Both 16 and 17-year-olds across Wales will have the chance to vote for the first time this year in the council elections.
The local elections for councils and for town and community councils are being held on Thursday, 5 May.
Anyone aged 16 and over will be able to cast their vote for who they want to represent them as their local councillor.
It is the first council election to have taken place since 2017.
You can register to vote online by visiting gov.uk/register-to-vote. You will need your National Insurance number, and it only takes a few minutes.
A FAMILY has been left with nothing after a devastating house fire tore through their home in Tregunnor on Monday (Apr 7).
The blaze destroyed everything inside the house, leaving the homeowner, his children, and their family dog with only the clothes on their backs. Thankfully, no injuries were reported, but the emotional impact of losing their home and belongings has been described as “immeasurable.”
In the wake of the tragedy, a GoFundMe page has been launched by the homeowner’s nephew, Kian Evans, in an effort to help the family rebuild their lives. The fundraiser, titled “Tregunnor House Fire,” has so far raised £40 from two donors, with hopes that more support will follow.
Mr Evans praised the emergency services for their swift response and thanked the local community for their messages of support and solidarity.
He wrote: “They have lost everything, from furniture to cherished memories. The goal is to help them get back on their feet after such a traumatic experience. Every little helps.”
The family now face the daunting task of starting over, but thanks to the generosity of those around them, they are not facing it alone.
To donate to the fundraiser, visit: gofundme.com/f/tregunnor-house-fire
Photo caption:
The fire which destroyed a family home in Tregunnor (Pic: Herald).
A BROAD HAVEN man has pleaded guilty to stalking and to breaching his bail conditions on two occasions. He has denied a separate charge of criminal damage and is due to be sentenced later this month.
Thomas Jones, aged 34, of Croft Road, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Apr 7), where he was dealt with for multiple offences involving the same female complainant.
Jones admitted stalking Ms Knight between December 5, 2024, and January 22, 2025, in Milford Haven. The court heard that he visited her address several times, sent over 100 calls and messages in a short period in December, and left both a parcel and an envelope containing a spa voucher.
He initially denied the stalking charge, but changed his plea to guilty on March 17. The offence falls under Section 2A of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.
Jones has denied a charge of criminal damage alleged to have occurred on July 21, 2024, when he is accused of damaging a door, radiator, cat litter tray and scratch post belonging to Ms Knight. He pleaded not guilty to this allegation on January 24.
The court also heard that Jones was arrested twice in March for breaches of bail. On March 22, he missed a curfew condition by returning home five hours late. The following day, on March 23, he allegedly contacted Ms Knight directly, in breach of an order prohibiting contact. He admitted both breaches, though those matters were formally recorded as having been dealt with at an earlier hearing.
The magistrates’ bench was chaired by Mrs C Kendrick, sitting with Mrs A Taylor-Jones and Mrs J Morris. Dennis Davies appeared for the Crown Prosecution Service, and Jones was represented by Fenn Richards.
Jones has been remanded on conditional bail until his next hearing on April 22, 2025, at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court. Bail conditions include:
- Not to contact Tessa Knight directly or indirectly, except via an approved device for child contact purposes,
- Not to enter Milford Haven,
- To reside and sleep each night at 38 Croft Road, Broad Haven.
A pre-sentence report is being prepared ahead of the hearing.
A PEMBROKE DOCK man has pleaded guilty to assault and criminal damage during a domestic incident last year.
Sam Wilkins, aged 42, of Bethel Road, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Apr 7), where he admitted charges of assault by beating and causing criminal damage.
The offences took place on November 7, 2024, in Pembrokeshire. Wilkins was accused of assaulting a woman and damaging a coat valued at £60.
He also admitted breaching bail conditions on March 18, 2025, after contacting an individual he had been ordered not to communicate with.
The bench, chaired by Mrs C Kendrick, sitting with Mrs A Taylor-Jones and Mrs J Morris, remanded Wilkins on conditional bail until April 15, 2025, when he is due to return to court for sentencing.
Bail conditions include:
No contact, directly or indirectly, with named individuals involved in the case,
Not to enter a specified address in Kilgetty,
Child contact to be arranged via a third party only,
Full compliance with probation requirements for a pre-sentence report.
Wilkins was represented by Jess Hill, and the prosecution was led by Dennis Davies of CPS Wales (South West).
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