News

Pembrokeshire Alliance wants a coalition, but leader should go

Published

12 years ago

October 10, 2014

AT A SPECIALLY convened meeting of its governing Executive, the Pembrokeshire Alliance last night rejected Entering into any negotiations which would lead to a coalition with the current governing IPG led by Cllr Jamie Adams. The meeting was called after discussions last week between Cllr Adams and Pembrokeshire Alliance Leader, Cllr Bob Kilmister.

Pembrokeshire Alliance spokesperson, Andrew Lye, commented: “After a long, thoughtful and democratic debate which discussed the current crisis at County Hall, the Alliance’s Executive Committee voted to reject any coalition discussions with the IPG, called for the resignation of Cllr Jamie Adams as Leader of the Council, and called for cross-party discussions to form a Grand Coalition to resolve the huge and mounting problems within the Council.”

Pembrokeshire Alliance Leader, Cllr Bob Kilmister, added: “Our debate shows clearly that decisions made by the Pembrokeshire Alliance are made through an open democratic process. At the same time we are taking a considered and constructive approach on how to take the Council forward. That is why I had discussions last week with Cllr Adams.”

“However, our clear view is that the crisis facing the Council is now so serious that the only way forward is to create a Grand Coalition. This Coalition must elect a new Council Leader who can command the support of both Councillors and the community. There is no other viable way forward, especially in view of further potential defections from the ruling IPG. I am calling on Cllr Adams to put Pembrokeshire first and start the process by standing down as Leader. Time is running out for the Council to deal with its problems. We urgently need a stable and effective Ruling Administration which can tackle the problems and carry out wholescale reform of the way the Council operates. Nothing less will now do.”

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10 Comments

Flashbang

October 10, 2014 at 10:56 am

Sorry Bob but we saw your naked grab for the money last week so I for one still don\’t trust you or your unhinged mate Nutting.
Tomos

October 11, 2014 at 12:19 am

Flashbang – is that you Bryn?

must be, slating off councillors, complaining other ppl are concerned with money
Flashbang

October 11, 2014 at 9:13 am

I’m definitely not that clown BPJ, if I was I would have cleaned out the corrupt and incompetent years ago instead of helping them.
I’m just a humble Pembrokeshire boy who would like to see the corrupt jailed and the county governed by an honest bunch.
kizzy J

October 11, 2014 at 11:11 am

Well I am not Bryn. I am a disabled woman living in Pembrokeshire and brought up here. I don’t trust Bob either. I attended the second meeting of the PA’group’ something I do not do often is leave my house. It was blatant from before we walked in the door and was duped into giving our detail in order to attend the ‘open’ meeting or I could not go in and was charged Â£1 for the venue. I was assured that this was only for safety to know who was in the building ect and would not be put on any data base or mailing list or email list ect ect. During the meeting we then were told what that info was for was we had been singed up as paid up member of the ‘party’ and the £1 was my membership fee…. !!!! That was my first impression and that the Councillors had it all sown up. I had my name removed as a Member of the Pembrokeshire Alliance that night and was treated with disdain for even pointing out that they should have informed me I was Joining a Political Party. I had no manifestation to contract and was duped into it. Bob and his party lost all credibility last week when he had his secret “negotiations” with Jamie Adams. announcing it after the event is not democracy. More so when on their page the people of Pembrokeshire asked questions they were abused and dismissed by Jonathan Nutting and told “YOU ARE WORNG” ect. Several of us. The women were told they were venting and they did not understand. When support for the questions and opinions began to grow Jonathan’s behavior became more bizarre. After 27 people voting against his discriminatory bullying and condescending posts on comments, that did not answer one question, what Bob did was rip down all our, the people of Pembrokeshires questions and opinions, took away our right to reply, removed us from the page and then started another conversation about us without any of us being able to see. Bob Kilminster was making implications that we were IPG on the page to oppose then and that we had hijacked the page on purpose. Jonathan Nutting called me by name saying I Bob was sick of me “giving him a kickin” but I had no right to reply, why? I can assure you I have never Kicked Bob Kilminster and that is a false accusation by Jonathan Nutting. If he meant a verbal “kicking” then why was my and others question and opinions seen as an attack by a Party who say they are here to listen. As one of the others abused by Nutting that night said what is the pint of giving you opinion and getting involved when as soon as you speak on page you are told your opinion is “WRONG”. I was one of those people and luckily other people sent me screen shots of what they were saying about me, as they had stated we should have a right of reply and freedom of speech to voice our opinions and not be slated and have accusations thrown against our character when we had just been removed and all our posts removed. That person said that they were then also removed and their comments removed! Isn’t that censorship? I am not IPG I am just a Pembrokeshire woman voicing her opinion about Bob Kilminsters disgraceful behavior “negotiating” with Jamie in secret. That night their President and Secretary resigned because she was never been kept in the loop and the councilors made all the decisions without any consultation or even informing her from the start.I do not know how all the other people that were treated like myself feel, a few I do as we have talked. However I feel that calling me a IPG member who came on the page to deliberately cause trouble is deformation of my character and besmirching of my good name, done deliberately behind my back immediately after I had been removed. What right has Bob Kilminster got to tarnish my name by implication. He has no evidence because there is no evidence. For 20 years I have barley left my house and the Pembrokeshire Alliance is the first thing I had attended for over a decade. I have never attended IPG meetings nor have I ever had any communication with the IPG or Jamie Adams but I was not allowed a right to reply. That is not democracy that is bullying. 27 people upset by Jonathan Nutting and he is still on the page stating he will answer no more questions as he is misunderstood and someone more capable will do it form now on. No Mr Nutting your not misunderstood your patronizing, condescending and dismissive and the people are telling you that you are just not listening and neither is Bob if he is removing us and keeping you there after so many complaints.I have been asking for a copy of the Pembrokeshire Alliances complaints procedure and the name of the regulator since June this year and they are just ignoring my requests and denying me that right. How do I have my right to reply to these implications. I have asked the President and Bob Kilminster himself. Hayley Wood assured me she had sent them to all the councilors, I have asked for it over 20 times now and have not one reply from anyone. I have asked Bob and he is ignoring me. Why can I not take this through a formal complaints procedure when I have been asking for over 4 months? Where is the Openness, Transparency, Integrity in that stance Bob? I had great hopes for a alliance group in Pembrokeshire to speak up for our concerns and need. The Pembrokeshire Alliance in my opinion was corrupted when the councilors voted themselves elite and turned it into a Party and began Press Ganging members and feathering their nests. Now they are sticking with the IPG there will be little confidence in them as all the comments that have been ripped down disagreed with it and only sportive comments left… you know like they do in china and the like….. !I think the PA has let us the People of Pembrokeshire down badly ….
kizzy J

October 11, 2014 at 11:23 am

Here here FlashBang .. I am wondering how long my comment will be allowed to stay up lol ….
kizzy J

October 11, 2014 at 11:35 am

here here Flashbang
michael williams

October 11, 2014 at 8:28 pm

Kilmister squirming. Not an edifying sight. He has just seen his Deputy Leaders salary drifting away,poor dab. So much for principles and democracy. The Alliance was never a serious option, with a seriously flawed leader, who, as soon as money became available ditched his so called principles.
Tomos

October 12, 2014 at 9:44 am

Oh dear, already infighting and Jamie and BPJ still in power, still being paid loads of money – couldn’t we just fight them first to ensure they leave and then start fighting amongst ourselves?
Jonathan nutting

October 13, 2014 at 10:18 am

Jilly J did they make an error in spelling, changing your comment into kizzy j ?
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News

Wales enters new political era after historic Senedd election

Published

13 hours ago

May 9, 2026

Tom Sinclair

WALES has entered a new political era after voters delivered the biggest political upheaval since devolution.

Plaid Cymru emerged as the largest party in the Senedd, Reform UK surged into second place, and Welsh Labour was reduced to its worst result since the creation of Welsh devolution in 1999.

The result ends Labour’s long dominance of Welsh politics and leaves Cardiff Bay facing weeks of negotiations over who will form the next Welsh Government.

Labour dominance ends

For the first time since the Senedd was created, Labour is no longer the largest party in Wales.

The party fell to just nine seats in the expanded 96-member chamber, a result which has sent shockwaves through Welsh politics.

First Minister Eluned Morgan also lost her own seat in Ceredigion Penfro before announcing that she would stand down as Welsh Labour leader.

The scale of the defeat reflects deep public frustration over the NHS, public services, the cost of living, and the perception that Welsh Labour had run out of energy after decades in power.

Ken Skates has now been appointed interim Welsh Labour leader as the party begins what is likely to be a long and painful rebuilding process.

Plaid’s historic breakthrough

Plaid Cymru finished as the largest party with 43 seats, a landmark result for Rhun ap Iorwerth and his party.

It is the closest Plaid has ever come to forming a government in Wales, and gives the party the clear first opportunity to try to lead the next Welsh Government.

However, Plaid fell short of the 49 seats needed for an outright majority.

That means Rhun ap Iorwerth must now decide whether to seek a formal coalition, a confidence-and-supply arrangement, or attempt to govern as a minority administration.

The party campaigned strongly on the NHS, childcare, housing, rural Wales and economic renewal. It must now show that it can move from opposition into government and turn those promises into delivery.

***Rhun ap Iorwerth after the election result was announced***

Reform becomes major force

The other major story of the election was the dramatic rise of Reform UK.

The party won 34 seats, becoming the second-largest group in the Senedd and reshaping the political map across Wales.

Reform made major gains in former Labour heartlands, particularly in areas where voters have become disillusioned with Cardiff Bay politics and traditional party loyalties.

***Dan Thomas, Reform Leader in Wales, after being elected (Image: BBC)***

Its success means the next Senedd will be noisier, more confrontational, and far less predictable than before.

Reform will now have a large platform from which to challenge Plaid Cymru, Welsh Labour and the Conservatives on public services, immigration, the economy, and the future direction of Wales.

**Dan Thomas, Reform Leader in Wales, talks to the BBC about Reforms impressive ‘trajectory’ into Wales**

Smaller parties gain ground

The Conservatives were reduced to seven seats, leaving them much diminished after years of trying to present themselves as the main alternative to Labour.

The Wales Green Party won two seats, giving the party its first real foothold in the Senedd.

The Welsh Liberal Democrats won one seat, ensuring they remain represented in Cardiff Bay.

The new electoral system, which expanded the Senedd from 60 to 96 members and introduced 16 larger constituencies electing six MSs each, helped create a far more proportional result.

It has also produced a chamber in which smaller parties and tactical negotiations will matter more than ever.

***Former First Minister Eluned Morgan arrives at the count in Ceredigion, accompanies by Labour candidate Cllr Marc Tierney***

What happens next?

The key issue now is who can command enough support to govern.

Plaid Cymru, as the largest party, will be expected to lead the process of forming an administration.

But without a majority, every major vote will matter. Budgets, major laws, confidence votes and key policy decisions will all require careful negotiation.

A formal deal with another party may prove difficult. A minority Plaid government is possible, but it would need support from other MSs to survive.

That means the next few weeks could be decisive for the future of Wales.

A changed country

This was more than a bad night for Labour or a breakthrough for Plaid and Reform.

It was a clear sign that Welsh politics has changed.

Old loyalties have weakened. Voters who once backed the same party for generations have shown they are prepared to move. The next Senedd will be more divided, more unpredictable, and more difficult to control.

For Wales, the message is stark.

The Labour era is over. Plaid Cymru now has its greatest opportunity yet. Reform UK has arrived as a major force. And whoever forms the next Welsh Government will have to prove quickly that change means more than a different set of faces in Cardiff Bay.

Community

Haverfordwest Castle redevelopment on track for 2028 reopening

Published

18 hours ago

May 9, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Major project will create new visitor attraction, events space, museum and improved town links

HAVERFORDWEST Castle is on course to reopen in 2028 following a major redevelopment project aimed at transforming the historic site into a high-quality visitor attraction.

County Councillor Thomas Tudor, who represents the Castle Ward in Haverfordwest, recently visited the site to see the progress being made.

He said: “As County Councillor for the Castle Ward in Haverfordwest, it was lovely to visit the Haverfordwest Castle Redevelopment Project and see the progress that has been achieved.

“I am very much looking forward to the Castle reopening in 2028.”

The project will see the mediaeval castle conserved for future generations, while the Inner Bailey has been landscaped so it can host events for up to 500 people.

These could include concerts, plays, craft fairs, Christmas markets and other community events.

The wider castle grounds are also being improved, with new interpretation explaining the history of the site, as well as family-friendly activities.

The building which houses Haverfordwest Museum, the Governor’s House, is being conserved, while the museum exhibition inside will be completely refurbished and modernised.

The former gaol building will also be transformed into a visitor attraction telling the story of Pembrokeshire’s past and future in an interactive and family-friendly way.

The attraction will include a café, shop, community spaces and exhibition areas.

Work is also taking place to improve the physical route between the castle and the town centre at Castle Back, with better signage planned to help visitors find the castle and navigate Haverfordwest more easily.

The castle is expected to reopen in 2028.

News

Plaid Cymru celebrates historic victory as Rhun ap Iorwerth arrives at Cardiff Bay

Published

18 hours ago

May 9, 2026

Rieve Nesbitt-Marr

CROWDS gathered outside the Senedd as Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth arrived in Cardiff Bay following his party’s historic victory in the Welsh election.

Supporters waving Welsh flags and Plaid banners cheered as ap Iorwerth made his way through crowds of activists, journalists and newly elected Members of the Senedd, in scenes unlike anything seen in modern Welsh devolved politics.

The election result marks a political earthquake in Wales, with Plaid Cymru emerging as the largest party in the Senedd for the first time since devolution began in 1999.

Ap Iorwerth was greeted by supporters, posed for photographs and embraced well-wishers as he arrived at the waterfront venue before addressing media gathered outside.

The atmosphere around Cardiff Bay was jubilant, with many supporters describing the result as a “turning point” for Wales.

Plaid’s breakthrough came after a dramatic night which saw Labour suffer major losses across Wales, while Reform UK also made significant gains under the new expanded Senedd voting system.

In emotional scenes, ap Iorwerth hugged supporters and thanked campaigners who had travelled from across Wales to witness the moment.

One photograph captured the Plaid leader embracing a young supporter as crowds packed the entrance area overlooking Cardiff Bay, while another showed hundreds gathered outside as he addressed the media beneath Welsh flags.