News
All the candidates in Mid and South Pembrokeshire – who has got your vote?
Stephen Crabb (Conservative Party)

Stephen Crabb, the Conservative candidate for Mid and South Pembrokeshire, brings extensive experience and a strong local connection to his campaign. Crabb, who has served as the MP for Preseli Pembrokeshire, emphasises his commitment to local issues and his track record of delivering results for his constituents. His platform includes a focus on economic development, particularly through initiatives like the Celtic Freeport, which he claims will bring significant investment and job opportunities to the area.
Crabb is also committed to improving local infrastructure. He highlights his efforts to secure better broadband services and town center regeneration projects, which he believes are crucial for boosting the local economy and improving the quality of life for residents. His campaign stresses the importance of local industry, including farming and tourism, and he pledges to continue supporting these sectors
Healthcare is another major focus of Crabb’s campaign. He positions himself as a defender of local health services, criticising the Welsh Labour government for what he describes as cuts to essential services. He promises to fight for better healthcare access and to ensure that local hospitals and clinics receive the funding and support they need.
Crabb also highlights his efforts to address environmental issues, including securing funding for coastal protection and promoting renewable energy projects. He aims to balance economic growth with environmental sustainability, ensuring that new developments do not harm the natural beauty of Pembrokeshire.
Henry Tufnell (Labour Party)

Henry Tufnell, the Labour candidate, presents a platform focused on change and renewal. He criticises the Conservative government’s handling of the economy and public services, arguing that their policies have led to economic mismanagement and declining living standards. Tufnell promises a fresh start with a Labour government that will prioritise the needs of ordinary people over corporate interests.
Tufnell’s campaign emphasises the importance of cooperation between the UK and Welsh Labour governments. He believes that a unified Labour approach can bring better outcomes for Pembrokeshire, particularly in terms of economic development and public services. He advocates for policies that support local businesses and create good jobs, aiming to revitalise the local economy and reduce unemployment.
Healthcare is a central issue in Tufnell’s campaign. He promises to tackle the long waiting times and accessibility issues that residents face under the current system. By working closely with the Welsh Government, Tufnell aims to ensure that everyone in Pembrokeshire has timely access to high-quality healthcare services.
Education and social services are also key components of Tufnell’s platform. He pledges to invest in schools and social care, ensuring that these services are well-funded and can meet the needs of all residents. Tufnell believes that by strengthening these essential services, Pembrokeshire can become a more equitable and prosperous community.
Alistair Cameron (Liberal Democrats)

Alistair Cameron, the Liberal Democrat candidate, is campaigning on a platform of sustainable development and support for local industries. Cameron emphasises the need for quality local jobs that offer fair wages, and he believes that investing in green industries is the key to achieving this goal. He advocates for the development of offshore wind and green hydrogen projects off the Pembrokeshire coast, which he argues will create sustainable employment opportunities and help combat climate change.
Cameron also focuses on improving healthcare access. He highlights the frustrations many residents face with long waiting times and difficulty accessing GPs, NHS dentists, and hospital treatments. Cameron promises to fight for better healthcare services and ensure that residents can get the care they need without excessive delays.
Support for established local industries like tourism and farming is another priority for Cameron. He believes that these sectors are vital to the local economy and that they need more support to thrive. Cameron advocates for policies that make it easier for local businesses to trade with the EU, arguing that better trade relationships can help these industries grow and prosper.
Education and social services are also important to Cameron’s campaign. He pledges to work towards better funding for schools and social care services, ensuring that they can meet the needs of all residents. Cameron believes that by investing in these areas, Pembrokeshire can become a more vibrant and supportive community.
Cris Tomos (Plaid Cymru)

Cris Tomos, representing Plaid Cymru, focuses on strengthening Welsh autonomy and supporting local Welsh culture and language. Tomos advocates for better local governance, arguing that local communities should have more control over their own affairs. He believes that this will lead to more effective and responsive governance, better reflecting the needs and priorities of Pembrokeshire residents.
Tomos emphasises the importance of sustainable development, advocating for policies that promote environmental sustainability and protect natural resources. He supports initiatives that balance economic growth with environmental protection, ensuring that new developments do not harm the local environment. Tomos also aims to promote renewable energy projects, which he believes can create jobs and help combat climate change.
Healthcare is another key issue for Tomos. He promises to fight for better healthcare services and ensure that all residents have access to high-quality care. Tomos argues that the current system is failing many people, and he pledges to work towards a more efficient and effective healthcare system that meets the needs of everyone in Pembrokeshire.
Education and social services are also important to Tomos’s campaign. He advocates for better funding for schools and social care services, ensuring that they can provide the support that residents need. Tomos believes that by investing in these areas, Pembrokeshire can become a more equitable and prosperous community.
James Purchase (Green Party)

James Purchase, the Green Party candidate, focuses on environmental sustainability and social justice. His campaign emphasises the need to address climate change and promote renewable energy. Purchase advocates for policies that support the development of renewable energy projects, such as wind and solar power, arguing that these initiatives can create jobs and reduce carbon emissions.
Purchase also highlights the importance of protecting natural habitats and biodiversity. He supports measures to conserve local wildlife and natural landscapes, ensuring that Pembrokeshire’s natural beauty is preserved for future generations. Purchase believes that environmental protection and economic development can go hand in hand, and he advocates for sustainable development practices that do not harm the environment.
Social justice is another key component of Purchase’s platform. He pledges to fight for policies that reduce inequality and ensure that everyone has access to the resources and opportunities they need to thrive. Purchase advocates for better funding for public services, such as healthcare and education, and he believes that these services should be accessible to all residents, regardless of their background or circumstances.
Stuart Marchant (Reform UK)

Stuart Marchant represents Reform UK, focusing on reforming public policies and governance. His campaign includes reducing government bureaucracy and promoting free-market principles. Marchant argues that reducing the size of government and cutting red tape can lead to more efficient and effective governance, benefiting businesses and individuals alike.
Marchant also emphasises the importance of direct democracy and accountability. He advocates for measures that increase transparency in government decision-making and give citizens more control over their own affairs. Marchant believes that by empowering local communities, Pembrokeshire can become a more dynamic and responsive region.
Hanna Andersen (Women’s Equality Party)

Hanna Andersen from the Women’s Equality Party focuses on gender equality and social justice. Her campaign emphasises the need to close the gender pay gap and ensure that women have equal opportunities in all areas of life. Andersen advocates for policies that promote gender equality in the workplace and support women in achieving their full potential.
Andersen also highlights the importance of improving healthcare access for women. She argues that women often face unique health challenges and that the healthcare system should be more responsive to their needs. Andersen pledges to work towards better funding for women’s health services and ensure that all women have access to high-quality care.
Social justice is another key component of Andersen’s platform. She advocates for policies that promote equity and inclusion, ensuring that all residents have access to the resources and opportunities they need to thrive. Andersen believes that by addressing systemic inequalities, Pembrokeshire can become a more just and equitable community.
Vusi Siphika (Independent)

Vusi Siphika is running as an independent candidate, focusing on specific local issues and aiming to represent constituents without party-political constraints. Siphika’s campaign is less defined in terms of specific policies, but independent candidates typically emphasise direct community engagement and tailored local solutions. Siphika likely advocates for a more grassroots approach to governance, ensuring that the voices of all residents are heard and considered in decision-making.
News
Control of £547m Local Growth Fund returns to Wales
CONTROL of a £547m Local Growth Fund has been returned to the Welsh Government, with ministers setting out plans to use the money to boost the nation’s economy over the next three years.
During a visit to Ebbw Vale on Friday (Mar 20), First Minister Eluned Morgan is expected to outline details of a new Investment Plan, endorsed by both the Welsh and UK governments. The plan sets out how funding will be allocated across priority areas and within Wales’ four economic regions.
The fund will focus on three key areas: supporting productive and competitive businesses, improving skills and helping people into work, and investing in infrastructure.
Ministers say the programme is designed to empower regional decision-making while targeting areas with the greatest economic need. The aim is to increase productivity, support business growth and create better-paid jobs across Wales.
Funding will be distributed based on tailored regional plans, reflecting local strengths and opportunities, including sectors such as advanced manufacturing and clean energy.
The First Minister, Eluned Morgan said: “I’m really pleased decisions on this post-EU funding, which is so important in supporting regional and local economic growth in Wales, are being returned to the Welsh Government.
“We want to use all the levers we have to stimulate economic growth, especially in parts of Wales where economic inactivity and unemployment are higher and wages are lower.”
The Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, Rebecca Evans added: “The Local Growth Fund for Wales will help create and secure jobs in key industries, providing exciting opportunities for people to develop high-quality, long-term careers.
“We will work with local government and other partners to ensure the fund is used effectively to create jobs, unlock growth and deliver for Wales.”
Secretary of State for Wales, Jo Stevens said: “This transformational funding will create jobs, boost productivity and support economic growth across all parts of Wales.
“Decisions about how funding is used in Wales are best made in Wales, and this agreement delivers our commitment to return control of post-EU funding to Wales.
“It is another example of the UK and Welsh governments working together to deliver for our communities.”
Community
Weather presenter spotted filming in Pembrokeshire
A WELL-KNOWN Welsh weather presenter was spotted in Pembrokeshire as he filmed scenes for a new series celebrating the county’s coastline.
Derek Brockway, who has been a familiar face on BBC Wales since 1995, was in St Davids recently working on another instalment of his popular walking series along the Pembrokeshire Coast.
Local resident Thomas Tudor said it was “lovely” to meet the broadcaster during filming, posing for a photograph alongside his mother, Beryl Tudor, and sister, Bethan Thomas Price.
Brockway, who is based at BBC Cymru Wales in Cardiff, is widely known not only for his weather forecasts across television, radio and online, but also for his programmes showcasing Wales’ landscapes and coastal paths.
The latest filming in St Davids is expected to form part of an upcoming series highlighting the natural beauty and walking routes of Pembrokeshire, an area long regarded as one of the jewels in Wales’ tourism crown.
Ministry of Defence
Defence families in Wales to save up to £6,000 under new childcare scheme
A MAJOR new childcare support scheme for Armed Forces families will be rolled out across Wales from September 2026, the UK Government has announced.
The initiative is expected to save eligible families up to £6,000 per child each year, providing a significant boost to household finances amid ongoing cost-of-living pressures.
The scheme will be delivered through the Ministry of Defence’s existing Early Years childcare reimbursement system and will bring Wales in line with the level of support already available to forces families in England.

Ministers say the move is part of a wider effort to improve recruitment and retention in the Armed Forces, with childcare costs identified as a key pressure affecting morale.
The new support will cover children from nine months old until they reach three years of age in Wales and Scotland, and up to four years old in Northern Ireland.
Defence Secretary John Healey MP announced the scheme during a visit to Dreghorn Barracks in Edinburgh.
He said: “Our Armed Forces families are at the heart of our nation’s security. As the demands on defence increase, it is right that we step up our support for those who serve.
“This offer will ensure more military families get the childcare support they need, wherever they are posted.”
Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens added: “Service families in Wales make huge sacrifices and deserve the best possible support.
“They contribute not only to our national security but also to the Welsh economy. This scheme delivers meaningful help with the cost of childcare.”
The scheme will reimburse the difference in early years childcare costs for eligible working families. To qualify, both parents must be in employment and meet the income thresholds required for a Tax-Free Childcare account.
Hundreds of families across Wales are expected to benefit.
The announcement forms part of a broader package of support introduced since July 2024, including improved military housing, the largest Armed Forces pay rise in two decades, and plans to strengthen the Armed Forces Covenant in law.
Further details will be provided in the coming months, with families encouraged to begin considering childcare arrangements ahead of the scheme’s launch.
-
News6 days agoEmergency services flood Haverfordwest after reports of person in river
-
Crime5 days agoMother given community order after admitting child cruelty offence
-
Health4 days agoNHS waiting list falls — but cancer delays and diagnostic backlog worsen
-
News6 days agoSenedd votes to ban Greyhound racing in Wales to protect animal welfare
-
News6 days agoSenedd vote to ban greyhound racing hailed as ‘landmark moment’ by charities
-
News5 days agoReform secures first Pembrokeshire councillor in Hakin by-election win
-
News7 days ago£3.8m to help Welsh families struggling with soaring heating oil costs
-
Crime5 days agoWoman stole from pharmacy despite ban, court hears











