Politics

How Pembrokeshire candidates will tackle the cost-of-living crisis

Published

4 days ago

July 1, 2024

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

AHEAD of the July 4 general election, Mid and South Pembrokeshire general election hopefuls have outlined what they will do about the cost-of-living crisis.

As part of constituency changes, bits of north Pembrokeshire – including St Davids and– are joining the new Mid and South Pembrokeshire constituency.

Mid and South Pembrokeshire covers Letterston, Solva and St Davids down to Hundleton and Tenby, stretching eastwards to Amroth, Narberth and Lampeter Velfrey.

Other parts of the north of the county are now in the new Ceredigion Preseli constituency; which extends up past Aberystwyth and also includes Cilgerran, Crymych, St Dogmaels, Fishguard and Llanrhian.

There’s now a 15-candidate battle for the two seats, eight in Mid and South Pembrokeshire and seven in Ceredigion Preseli.

With a July 4 date set for the general election, the currently declared candidates for Mid and South Pembrokeshire are: Hanna Andersen (Women’s Equality Party); Alistair Cameron (Welsh Liberal Democrats); Stephen Crabb (Welsh Conservative); Stuart Marchant (Reform UK); James Purchase (Green Party); Vusi Siphika (Independent); Cris Tomos (Plaid Cymru); and Henry Tufnell (Welsh Labour).

In the run-up to the election, all candidates were asked: “What will you do to improve the economic situation/ help tackle to cost-of-living crisis in your constituency?”

Alistair Cameron (Liberal Democrat) said: “We need the UK Government to help provide the infrastructure in Pembrokeshire (particularly around the Milford Haven estuary) to develop floating offshore wind (which could provide up to one third of Britain’s domestic electricity needs) and green hydrogen. This should support our county’s economy and lead to high quality local jobs.

“I also want to see better trading links with our European partners in order to boost local trade and jobs, particularly as we have two ferry ports to Ireland in Pembrokeshire.

“We need to see government investment and support for our town centres and the tourism industry.

“Pembrokeshire has the fourth highest level of child poverty in Wales. Liberal Democrats would scrap the bedroom tax and replace the sanctions regime with an incentive-based system to help people into work.”

James Purchase (Green Party) said: “‘Ich Dien’ will be my motto (without the feathers) and I will serve the people of Pembrokeshire to ensure an economic mix of both industrial and rural that will bring well-being and a better quality of life for everyone, as well as protecting the environment and enabling us to tackle the climate crisis.

“The bitter cost-of-living crisis was largely caused by a not fit for purpose energy security policy; buying in fossil fuel energy when we should have been using nationalised Welsh wind, Welsh tides and Welsh water power. Privatisation has failed miserably and un-earned dividends are paid to shareholders whilst infrastructure is run into the ground. The Green Party is committed to public ownership of public services so that they are run to serve all.”

Hanna Andersen (Women Equality Party) said: “For 14 years the Conservatives have cut our services and driven policies that mean a third of children are now growing up in poverty.

“The old parties chase growth at all costs, but who benefits when we still can’t pay our energy bills or access care when we need it?

“At the Women’s Equality Party, we are committed to investing in care by introducing Universal Free Childcare and a National Social Care system, free at the point of use. We will end child poverty by increasing child benefit, putting a stop to the harmful two-child benefit cap and increasing carer’s allowance.”

Henry Tufnell (Labour) said: “I have been knocking on doors and listening to residents for over a year now, and the number one issue is the cost of living.

“The Tory Government has lurched from crisis to crisis, playing fast and loose with the public finances, and the result is an economy with high taxes, high interest rates, high inflation and low growth.

“Economic stability and security are vital for our county and our country. Labour’s manifesto is fully costed and fully funded, and designed to create the necessary conditions to partner with business and create economic growth.

“It is vital that we turn the page on this Tory chaos.”

Stephen Crabb (Conservative) said: “I have a reputation for getting things done in our community, and for helping people of all backgrounds. I helped lead the campaign to secure the Celtic Freeport, and I work closely with local industry to help bring new investment and jobs to the Haven Waterway.

“I have also worked hard to secure £27 million Levelling Up money for Pembrokeshire which will help to bring new activity back into our towns.

“During the pandemic, me and my team worked tirelessly to ensure that local families had their incomes protected: 18,000 people had furlough and 4,500 self-employed people received support.

“Fighting for new and better jobs for Pembrokeshire people will always be a key priority for me.”

Stuart Marchant (Reform UK) said: “In Pembrokeshire we need to revitalise our fishing fleet and support farmers to farm as well as aspiring to take full advantage of our tourist trade and possible developments.

“These three key industries have been attacked in recent years and decades and deprived Pembrokeshire of much-needed jobs. Jobs that encompassed both lower and higher payroll groups.

“I would strive to be a voice of support and change so that these three industries could play the crucial role that they ought to within the constituency. I would also seek out real and true financially rewarding developments that do provide local jobs.

“I also believe that my party’s policy of making work pay is key. A £20,000 starting tax threshold as well as a £70,000 upper tax threshold would, in my view, lead to making work pay.”

Vusi Siphika (Independant) said: “As the sixth richest country in the world we have the means and capability to ensure all our citizens maintain a comfortable standard of living.

“The cost-of-living crisis is as much about lifting up and supporting all our citizens and prioritising our working families who are in poverty, namely 24.7 per cent across Pembrokeshire.

“By enabling all our citizens to maximize their capabilities, create fair and good employment, narrow the wealth inequality via good wages supplemented by an increase in the threshold for universal credit and creating sustainable, good quality and affordable housing for all. Our roadmap to a healthier constituency.”

Cris Tomos (Plaid Cymru) said: “I recognise the inequality in economic performance of different nations and regions in the UK, Plaid Cymru propose an Economic Fairness Bill that will make levelling up a meaningful phrase, rather than a political slogan, ensuring that the impact of fiscal decisions are considered on a wider level than just what is best for the City of London.

“I campaigned in 2016 for Wales to stay in the European Union, recognising both the social and economic benefits which accrued from that membership. I respected the result of the referendum, but, with the Conservatives having led us down a path of destruction, we believe that the UK should re-enter the European Single Market and Customs Union at the earliest opportunity, in order to mitigate the impact of Brexit on Welsh business and reduce overheads and administrative costs.”

Health

Senedd backs call for more dentists in Wales

Published

4 hours ago

July 5, 2024

Chris Haines, ICNN Senedd reporter

THE SENEDD called on the Welsh Government to increase the number of training places for dentists amid warnings about “dental deserts” across the country.

Siân Gwenllian led a cross-party debate on dentistry training, with the Conservatives and Lib Dems joining forces with Plaid Cymru to amplify concerns about poor access to services.

Ms Gwenllian said a shortage of dentists exacerbates Wales’ “three-tier” system, with none of the practices in her Arfon constituency taking on new NHS patients.

She said: “A three-tier system where some are fortunate to access an NHS dentist, others can pay to go privately and the third tier, unfortunately, are those who can’t access NHS dentistry and can’t afford to pay to go privately.

“I don’t have to outline the problems that emerge for those in the third tier. Members are only too familiar with horrific stories about sepsis and do-it-yourself dentistry.”

Ms Gwenllian told the chamber, or Siambr, a common-sense solution would be to increase the number of university training places.

“But, to the contrary, the government sets a cap on the number of places that can be provided in our only school of dentistry in Cardiff – an annual cap of 74 places,” she said.

The former councillor and journalist criticised a new dental workforce strategy, saying it does not commit to any specific increase in educational or training provision for dentists.

Pointing to a Tory commitment to a 24% increase in undergraduate places in England, she said: “Unfortunately, the party of Aneurin Bevan hasn’t shown the same ambition.

“And it is depressing and it’s a stain on Wales that the ability of a number of our constituents to access dentistry is reliant on their ability to pay.”

The Plaid Cymru politician argued having one school of dentistry in south Wales will never be sufficient to meet the needs of the whole country.

Sam Rowlands, the Conservatives’ shadow health secretary, said provision in north Wales is “simply not good enough” as he raised concerns about “dental deserts”.

He agreed that 74 places a year is not enough to plug the gap as he echoed calls for a “fully funded and fully functioning” dental school in his region.

Carolyn Thomas, who also represents North Wales, said people across the UK are struggling to access NHS dentists, with nine in ten not accepting new patients.

The Labour member recognised Wales-specific challenges on recruitment and retention, but pointed to progress with the dental academy in Bangor.

She told the chamber Labour has a fully costed plan to “rescue” dentistry at a UK level which will lead to much-needed consequential funding for Wales.

Mabon ap Gwynfor, Plaid Cymru’s shadow health secretary, raised concerns about a “failure to retain dentists and an even greater failure to train new dentists”.

Mr ap Gwynfor said only eight people from Wales got a place on Cardiff’s dentistry course last year, with only about half of the wider annual cohort choosing to stay in Wales.

Rhys ab Owen criticised a lack of data, saying: “It’s astonishing that we can’t say here and now in the Senedd how many people are waiting to see a dentist under the health service.”

Mr ab Owen raised a constituent’s concerns about their son, who was referred aged 11, having to wait nine years until he is 20 for orthodontic treatment.

The independent, who represents South Wales Central, said: “My constituent’s son has experienced bullying, his confidence has been knocked and his self-esteem damaged.”

Eluned Morgan told the July 3 debate that NHS dentistry has been a key priority since she became Wales’ health minister four years ago.

Providing an update on the recommendations of a 2023 health committee report on dentistry, Baroness Morgan said work on an all-Wales central waiting list is under way.

The health secretary reiterated that the key aim of dental reforms was new patients who have historically struggled to get access to NHS dental care.

Baroness Morgan said 500,000 people who had not received NHS dental care for more than four years have gained access since the reforms restarted in April 2022.

She said: “It’s interesting to note that an incoming Labour Government is also planning to deliver new NHS appointments, but proportionally we’re streets ahead of where the UK Tory Government was in terms of NHS access by new patients.”

Turning to dental training places, she stressed the need to take a “long-term evidence-based view” and be careful not to “over-focus” on dentists.

Baroness Morgan, a former member of the European parliament, said any increase would be difficult due to financial challenges and a lack of spaces at Cardiff’s dental school.

She said a second school would be the best option but warned: “That would mean a great deal of investment and financial pressures don’t allow that at present.”

However, she encouraged a joint proposal from Aberystwyth and Bangor universities.

The motion – which was co-submitted by Ms Gwenllian and Jane Dodds, the Lib Dems leader in Wales – was agreed with 29 for, none against and 15 abstentions.

Seven Labour backbenchers voted in favour.

News

Ben Lake wins Ceredigion Preseli for Plaid Cymru

Published

5 hours ago

July 5, 2024

Tom Sinclair

BEN LAKE has been re-elected as the Member of Parliament for Ceredigion Preseli, securing Plaid Cymru’s hold on the seat in tonight’s election.

Ben retained his seat with a total of 21,738 votes, outperforming the Liberal Democrats and Labour. This marks the third consecutive election victory for Lake, who first claimed the seat from Liberal Democrat Mark Williams in 2017 and successfully defended it against Conservative Aled Thomas in 2019.

In his victory speech, Ben expressed his gratitude, stating: “I would like to thank everybody including my competitors who have been part of a great campaign.”

The full election results for Ceredigion Preseli are as follows:

Ceredigion Preseli results

Plaid Cymru,Ben Lake
- Votes 21,738
- Share 46.9%
- Share change +15.8
Liberal Democrat,Mark Williams
- Votes 6,949
- Share 15.0%
- Share change +0.4
Labour,Jackie Jones
- Votes 5,386
- Share 11.6%
- Share change -9.2
Reform UK,Karl Pollard
- Votes 5,374
- Share 11.6%
- Share change +7.6
Conservative,Aled Thomas
- Votes 4,763
- Share 10.3%
- Share change -18.0
Green,Tomos Barlow
- Votes 1,864
- Share 4.0%
- Share change +2.7
Workers Party of Britain,Taghrid Al-Mawed
- Votes 228
- Share 0.5%
- Share change +0.5

Mark Williams, who came second for the Liberal Democrats, commented: “It’s better than coming third. Second this time. It was a positive campaign and I’m very grateful for all the votes. Clearly Ben won an emphatic victory and deserves praise.

“Many issues are unresolved, however, and me and my party will continue to campaign on them.”

News

Labour’s Henry Tufnell wins in Mid and South Pembrokeshire

Published

7 hours ago

July 5, 2024

Tom Sinclair

LABOUR have won the Mid and South Pembrokeshire seat in a tightly fought race against Stephen Crabb, the incumbent, who has served Pembrokeshire for nineteen years.

Henry Tufnell said it had been a very hard-fought campaign. He said: “I would like to pay tribute to Stephen Crabb for his nineteen years of work here in Pembrokeshire, and all the other candidates. When asked what his priorities will be as the new MP for Mid and South Pembrokeshire, Tufnell said: “As I was talking through the campaign there is an importance of getting good well paid jobs here in the county, through Labour’s Green Prosperity Plan. I think that the opportunities in the Milford Haven waterway are really exciting, so I want to try and harness Labour’s plan and put that into action here in Pembrokeshire.”

Speaking to The Pembrokeshire Herald after the declaration, Stephen Crabb said: “First and foremost I am pleased with my campaign team, we knew at the outset that it was going to be incredibly difficult – that we were behind in the polls. We have built support as we have gone through this campaign. But the other party which built support very quickly was reform.

“That is what ultimately has cost us victory tonight. It is disappointing but that is democracy.”

Stuart Marchant from Reform said that the Reform vote locally “sends a really important message”.

“Reform UK has made its mark, today is a sea-change in UK politics. Reform have entered the political arena in the UK. We will be back – this gives us the dynamite to take our mission onwards.”

Mid and South Pembrokeshire results

Labour,Henry Tufnell
- Votes 16,505
- Share 35.4%
- Share change -1.8
Conservative,Stephen Crabb
- Votes 14,627
- Share 31.4%
- Share change -21.5
Reform UK,Stuart Marchant
- Votes 7,828
- Share 16.8%
- Share change +16.8
Plaid Cymru,Cris Tomos
- Votes 2,962
- Share 6.4%
- Share change +1.1
Liberal Democrat,Alistair Cameron
- Votes 2,372
- Share 5.1%
- Share change +0.5
Green,James Purchase
- Votes 1,654
- Share 3.5%
- Share change +3.5
Independent,Vusi Siphika
- Votes 427
- Share 0.9%
- Share change +0.9
Women’s Equality Party,Hanna Andersen
- Votes 254
- Share 0.5%
- Share change +0.5