News

Vaughan Gething could lose no confidence vote due to sick colleagues

Published

7 months ago

June 5, 2024

First Minister Vaughan Gething is poised to face a critical vote of no confidence today, amid mounting controversy over his leadership and campaign funding. The Senedd vote, initiated by the Conservatives, comes after sustained criticism of Gething’s acceptance of donations from a company owned by an individual previously convicted of environmental offences. With significant internal party strife and key members absent, Gething is expected to lose the vote, which could significantly undermine his authority.

In a revealing interview with BBC Radio Wales Breakfast, Vikki Howells, chair of the Labour group of Members of the Senedd (MSs), disclosed that two Labour MSs are currently unwell and unable to attend the vote. This development places Gething’s leadership in jeopardy, as Labour’s narrow majority in the Senedd requires full attendance for a definitive win. The absent MSs are Hannah Blythyn and Lee Waters, both significant figures in Welsh Labour’s internal dynamics. Blythyn, recently sacked by Gething, and Waters, a former transport minister who has previously called for the contentious donations to be returned, are pivotal in this unfolding drama.

Their absences, compounded by the lack of proxy voting or remote participation options, have thrown Labour’s plans into disarray. Labour holds exactly half of the 60 seats in the Welsh Parliament, meaning every vote is crucial for maintaining Gething’s position. Without Blythyn and Waters, Labour is left vulnerable, especially as the Conservatives, along with Plaid Cymru and Welsh Liberal Democrat Jane Dodds, have refused to agree to a pairing arrangement to offset the absences.

The Conservatives’ motion could succeed if even one Labour MS rebels, abstains, or does not participate in the vote. This potential outcome has turned the vote into a high-stakes affair, with significant implications for Gething’s leadership. Vikki Howells criticised the vote as a “gimmick” by the Conservatives, aiming to distract from their own performance over the past 14 years in government. She emphasised that such votes should be decided by the public in a general election, not by parliamentary manoeuvres.

Plaid Cymru has accused Gething of showing contempt towards the Senedd. Their leader, Rhun ap Iorwerth, highlighted the internal conflict within Labour over this issue. “Are there Labour members who are wrestling with their conscience? Absolutely, we know there are,” he said, pointing to a fracturing within the party ranks.

Gething, who ascended to the position of First Minister just 77 days ago, has been under intense scrutiny following revelations that he received a £200,000 donation from Dauson Environmental Group during his leadership campaign. The company’s owner, David John Neal, has a history of environmental violations, further fuelling the controversy.

Throughout the leadership contest, Gething faced calls from within Labour to return any remaining funds from Dauson, a plea he has largely ignored. Additionally, Gething’s credibility has been questioned over his handling of a leaked message during the pandemic and the subsequent sacking of Blythyn, who has not spoken in the Senedd since.

The Conservative leader, Andrew RT Davies, laid out the rationale behind the no-confidence motion, citing concerns about Gething’s judgement, transparency, and honesty. “One there’s a question of judgement, two there’s a question around transparency and three there’s an issue around honesty,” he stated on BBC Radio Wales Breakfast.

While today’s vote is technically non-binding and does not necessitate Gething’s immediate resignation, the political ramifications are significant. A loss would underscore a weakening grip on his party and diminish his authority, casting a shadow over his nascent leadership. This vote underscores the turbulent nature of Welsh politics, where internal party strife and external criticisms can converge to threaten even the most newly established leadership.

The origins of this controversy trace back to Gething’s Welsh Labour leadership election victory in March. His campaign was notably dominated by the £200,000 donation from Dauson Environmental Group. Public reaction from Labour politicians was largely muted during the campaign itself, but Gething has failed to prevent private anger from rising to the surface. There were calls from within Labour for the party not to take any remaining money from Dauson, as it normally would with leftover funds from campaign contests.

Adding to Gething’s woes, he found himself defending a controversial message he sent during the pandemic. As then-health minister, Gething informed colleagues he was deleting texts from a ministerial group chat, an action that has drawn criticism and raised questions about transparency and accountability. His subsequent sacking of Hannah Blythyn, which he attributed to her being the source of a leak, has not been backed by evidence, leading to further discontent and demands for clarity.

In a political environment where every move is scrutinised, Gething’s ability to unify his party and command respect in the Senedd has been called into question. The no-confidence vote, while non-binding, is seen as a litmus test for his leadership. Should Gething fail to rally his party members, the implications could be profound, potentially triggering a leadership crisis within Welsh Labour.

As the Senedd convenes to cast their votes, the political stakes could not be higher. The outcome of this vote will not only determine Vaughan Gething’s immediate political future but also shape the broader narrative of Welsh politics in the months to come.

Education

Home Education: Delays and missed opportunities risk further tragedy

Published

4 mins ago

December 19, 2024

Jon Coles

THE TOPIC of Home Education has again hit the headlines.

The brutal murder of Sara Sharif in London exposes the glaring gaps in child protection for home-educated children over those in mainstream education, says the Independent Group on Pembrokeshire County Council in a detailed proposal on tackling safeguarding concerns and a call for the Welsh Government to act.

The Group’s statement is below.

No one denies that parents have the choice of home education. However, this shouldn’t be allowed if the risk to children is increased by a lack of a register by Local Authorities that confirms how many children are receiving home education, where they are receiving it, and from whom. The rights of the child should always be a priority, but the legislation surrounding home education is not strong enough to support this.

Pleas to the Welsh Government from local authorities across Wales to create and maintain a register of home-schooled children have fallen on deaf ears.

COUNCILLORS HAVE A FUNDAMENTAL SAFEGUARDING DUTY

Pembrokeshire has had its share of tragic outcomes regarding home education, and Councillors and employees of the authority have continually raised concerns about the matter. However, a time has now arrived when we as a society must demand action, as failure to do so will almost certainly see such tragedies reoccur. Society needs to accept that this is not Big Brother but our fundamental duty to protect its most vulnerable, namely our Children.

Dame Rachel de Souza, the Children’s Commissioner for England, said it was “madness” that the law currently allows parents to take a child out of school, even if concerns had already been raised”.

She added, “Being in school is a safeguard; they are safer under the eyes of teachers.”

We must act. The Prime Minister himself has said that his government will deliver “stronger safeguards” for those educated at home, and the need to act is immediate. And act they have done, making it clear they intend to bring forward legislation (for England) a “landmark” bill where home-schooled children will have to be registered with their local authority.

Wales has procrastinated for far too long and must follow suit and do so without delay.

PEMBROKESHIRE COUNCILLORS’ CONCERNS IGNORED

In Pembrokeshire, the lack of a formal register has been raised on numerous occasions over many years, including on a number of occasions since the last County Council elections in 2022. The Social Care O&S Committee under the Chair of Councillor Dave Bryan on November 10, 2022, heard The Head of Children Services comment that the Council was then “into their third administration of WG where concerns of EHE has not been acted upon following Kirsty Williams’s announcement to shelve the plans.”

A letter sent by Councillor Bryan on this matter drew a negative response from the Welsh Government.

Cllr Phil Kidney and Cllr Huw Murphy raised the matter at Full Council on December 12. The latter commented that action is needed on this matter, as words alone will not suffice, and that he would be failing in his role as Safeguarding Champion if he did not speak out. Politics is about doing right, not being popular.

INCREASED HOME EDUCATION INCREASES RISK

In 2020, there were 210 children in EHE in Pembrokeshire. By early 2023, that number was 325. By Sept 2024, it stood at 463.

Increased numbers equate to increased risk.

Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion, and Carmarthenshire have the highest rates of children in EHE across Wales. The Education Act 1996 does not have the framework to allow local authorities to speak to home-schooled children or even see them if parents refuse. Home education works well in most cases, but sadly, not always. The invisibility of these children causes so much concern, as by the time they are seen, it is too late for some.

A CHANGE IN THE LAW

The UK is a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Article 2 of the Convention directs that “the state shall take all appropriate measures to ensure the child is protected against all forms of discrimination or punishment on the basis of the status, activities, expressed opinion or beliefs of the child’s parents.”

Article 28 (b) stipulates that governments must make “primary education compulsory & available free for all”, and 28 (e) says governments must “take measures to encourage attendance at schools and the reduction of drop-out rates.”

It could be argued that for Wales and the UK to be more compliant with the UNCRC, the Education Act, 1996 should be amended to confirm the rights of parents to home-educate their children but within a legal setting where every local authority holds a register of every child receiving home education, that every child is seen and spoken to every term and a sample of their work is seen to evidence that they are being educated to a level that will provide them with the necessary tools and skills to succeed on attaining adulthood.

Society gets only one chance to get things right for every child born into it. For too long, the issue of not setting up a formal register for home-educated children has been, at best, overlooked and, at worst, ignored when the majority support the measure. By doing so, PCC concerns for Child safety will be identified earlier, and tragic outcomes will be reduced.

Crime

Tenby man cleared of bleach attack charges

Published

6 mins ago

December 19, 2024

Tom Sinclair

DEAN McCARTNEY, 29, of Newell Hill, Tenby, has been found not guilty of intending to maim or disfigure another man by throwing bleach.

McCartney appeared at Swansea Crown Court accused of two charges: throwing bleach with intent to burn, maim, or disfigure, and wounding with intent, following an incident in Narberth on September 5. He pleaded not guilty to both charges and had been in custody awaiting trial.

At an earlier hearing, defence counsel David Singh argued that a witness described the complainant as “clearly the aggressor.”

After reviewing the evidence, prosecutor Alycia Carpanini confirmed that the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) would offer no evidence on either charge. Judge Huw Rees expressed concern over delays, stating, “This defendant has been in custody throughout. This is concerning, isn’t it?”

The judge entered not guilty verdicts and confirmed McCartney’s release, adding: “You should be released as soon as possible, subject to prison regulations.”

News

Irish Ferries docks at Fishguard Harbour for the first time

Published

33 mins ago

December 19, 2024

Tom Sinclair

BIG changes are underway at Pembrokeshire’s ports as a major storm forces adjustments to Irish Sea crossings.

Holyhead Port suffered significant damage during Storm Darragh, one of the most severe storms to hit the UK in decades. The port has been closed since the storm and is not expected to reopen until mid-January, creating a substantial backlog of traffic waiting to cross the Irish Sea.

In response, services have been rerouted to Pembrokeshire. The Stena Adventurer, a 211-metre, 43,532-tonne vessel, has begun additional sailings between Fishguard Harbour and Dublin. As the largest ship to ever dock at Fishguard, its arrival marks a milestone for the port.

Over in Pembroke Dock, Irish Ferries has temporarily introduced the larger James Joyce ferry on its Rosslare route, replacing the Isle of Innisfree. The James Joyce, previously known as the Oscar Wilde, is no stranger to the route, having operated there earlier this year.

Irish Ferries makes history at Fishguard

On Wednesday evening (Dec 18), Irish Ferries made history by berthing one of its vessels at Fishguard Harbour for the first time. The Isle of Innisfree sailed from Dublin for a trial docking at the port.

A Stena Line spokesperson confirmed: “We’re conducting berthing trials at Fishguard with the Isle of Innisfree. If successful, this will contribute to alleviating the backlog caused by the Holyhead closure.”

Should the trials prove viable, the Isle of Innisfree could operate regular services between Fishguard and Dublin while the James Joyce continues to run on the Pembroke Dock-Rosslare route.

When asked about the potential for this to become a permanent solution, the Stena Line spokesperson emphasized that efforts are currently focused on addressing the immediate crisis.

Irish Ferries responds to disruption

Irish Ferries has issued an apology to customers affected by the ongoing disruption:

“We regret to advise that all Holyhead-Dublin sailings are cancelled up to and including January 15, 2025, due to the closure of Holyhead Port.

“We are contacting affected customers to offer alternative options, including sailings on the Rosslare-Pembroke route, where additional capacity has been made available. We are also exploring additional sailings from other UK ports to Ireland.

“We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience caused and appreciate our customers’ patience during this challenging time.”

This historic move highlights the adaptability of Pembrokeshire’s ports in the face of unprecedented challenges, with Fishguard Harbour playing a pivotal role in maintaining Irish Sea connectivity.