News
Unpaid carers could swing election in Mid & South Pembs, says charity
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UNPAID carers have the power to swing 185 constituencies at the General Election, charity Carers Trust warns
Analysis from UK charity Carers Trust shows there are enough unpaid carers in 185 constituencies to potentially swing each of those seats at this week’s General Election, including in Mid and South Pembrokeshire.
There are 185 seats in England and Wales where the number of carers is higher than the current MP’s majority. They include many seats held by key figures in all parties. Amon them are the Conservatives’ former leader Iain Duncan Smith and Justice Secretary Alex Chalk, Labour’s Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Deputy Leader Angela Rayner, and Lib Dems Daisy Cooper and Tim Farron.
In the new Mid & South Pembrokeshire constituency there are 10,222 carers and Stephen Crabb’s majority at the last election in 2019 was 8621, although remember at the last election we had the differently configured seat of Preseli Pembrokeshire.
A total of 96 constituencies currently held by the Conservatives could be swung by carer votes. This includes Chingford and Woodford Green where Iain Duncan Smith has a 1,604 majority in a seat with 8,225 carers. Alex Chalk’s 1,421 majority in Cheltenham could also face a threat from 6,871 carers.
In all, 83 Labour-held constituencies could see their majority overturned by carer votes. Angela Rayner has a 4,689 vote majority in Ashton-under-Lyne, a constituency of 8,517 carers. Meanwhile, Rachel Reeves is contesting the new seat of Leeds West and Pudsey which has 7,783 carers and an estimated 2019 majority of 2,963.
Carers Trust has warned that, although there are an estimated seven million unpaid carers in the UK, they have been largely ignored by most political parties during the election campaign. Many carers are looking after ill or disabled family and friends because of the crisis facing social care. Yet the social care system has also been largely absent from election debates so far. If parties are serious about tackling the social care crisis, they will need support from unpaid carers. In return, those carers need more support themselves.
Dominic Carter, Carers Trust’s Director of Policy and Public Affairs, said: “Many carers have been plunged into pverty because of their caring role and are picking up the pieces left by a social care system that’s been starved of investment. These figures show that, although carers have been largely ignored this election, they have the power to swing huge numbers of seats across the country on July 4.
“At Carers Trust we are calling on all parties to make sure carers are no longer pushed to breaking point and are properly supported, including overhauling Carer’s Allowance – the lowest benefit of its kind. It’s not too late for parliamentary candidates to start listening to those calls. If they don’t, they could be punished at the ballot box.”
The largest majority under threat from carer power is Blackpool North and Fleetwood, where the Conservatives’ 10,119 majority for Paul Maynard could be wiped out by 10,233 carers. Seats with majorities of over 8,500 like Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe, Harrow East, Enfield North and Pontypridd are also at risk if carers vote against the incumbent.
Elsewhere, carer votes could also make the difference in marginals like Burnley, Leigh & Atherton and Wimbledon.
More than 1.5 million people in England and Wales provide at least 50 hours of care a week, with huge implications for their finances, health and future prospects. A survey by Carers Trust last year found just 55% of carers say they get the support they need, while 41% said the time they spent caring has increased. Despite this, there has not been a UK Government plan for carers since 2020 and the last cross-government Carers Strategy expired six years ago.
Carer power: The 10 biggest majorities at risk from carer votes
Seat
2019 majority
Number of carers
Incumbent MP
Party
Blackpool North and Fleetwood
10119
10233
Paul Maynard
Conservative
Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe
9091
9677
Fay Jones (Brecon and Radnorshire)
Conservative
Harrow East
8987
9219
Bob Blackman
Conservative
Enfield North
8853
9258
Feryal Clark
Labour
Pontypridd
8798
9944
Alex Davies-Jones
Labour
Corby and East Northamptonshire
8676
8895
Tom Pursglove (Corby)
Conservative
Mid and South Pembrokeshire
8621
10222
Stephen Crabb (Preseli Pembrokeshire
Conservative
Taunton and Wellington
8536
8763
Rebecca Pow (Taunton Deane)
Conservative
South Ribble
8515
8664
Katherine Fletcher
Conservative
Neath and Swansea East
8451
10961
Christina Rees (Neath)
Labour
Crime
Man arrested on suspicion of murder in Carmarthenshire
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DETECTIVES from Dyfed-Powys Police are investigating the death of a woman, following the discovery of a body at a house in Bigyn Road, Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, on Friday (Jul 5).
A 49-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder.
A police spokesperson said: “We are not looking for anyone else in connection with this incident, however there will continue to be an increased police presence in the area over the coming days as the enquiry continues.
“Anyone with information that might assist is asked to get in touch with the police by calling 101.
“Quote reference 304 of July 5.”
Crime
Motorist sentenced for A40 collision which killed Welsh triathlon and Ironman star
![](https://pembrokeshire-herald.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Police-accident.jpg)
VASILE Barbu, 49, sentenced to four years imprisonment after being found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving
A WELSH motorist who was involved in a collision which killed Welsh triathlon and Ironman star, Rebecca Comins was sentenced today at Cardiff Crown Court.
Vasile Barbu was driving a white Vauxhall Movano van on the A40 on Thursday 2 June 2022 which collided with a cyclist.
Paramedics from the Welsh Ambulance Service attended and confirmed that the cyclist, Rebecca Comins, had died at the scene.
Barbu was found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving at Cardiff Crown Court on Friday 7 June and today (Friday 5 July) was sentenced to four years in prison and disqualified from driving for four years.
Senior investigating officer, PS Shane Draper said: “Rebecca was an experienced and talented cyclist – she did everything she could to stay safe of the roads – but the actions of a fellow road user saw her life tragically cut short.
“Driving is a privilege, and not something that should be taken for granted or taken lightly.
“This is reminder to everyone who gets behind the wheel – you are in control of a potentially dangerous machine – your responsibility isn’t just to ensure your own safety, but the safety of everyone around you.
“I would like to thank and commend the family for their strength during this difficult time and I hope that this conviction helps provide them with some closure as they continue to process their loss. My thoughts remain with them”.
The family of Rebecca Comins previously issued a statement following the verdict.
Farming
FUW sends message to Starmer for a fair annual funding for Welsh agriculture
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THE Farmers’ Union of Wales will waste no time in sending a clear message to the incoming UK Labour Government at Westminster that Wales seeks a fair, annual funding settlement of £450 million in EU CAP legacy funding to support food production, the rural economy and the work farmers do for the environment.
Winning a landslide general election at a time when Welsh farming faces an important crossroads, the UK Labour Party now has the opportunity to influence the future of rural Wales for decades to come.
Speaking in response to the results, FUW President Ian Rickman said: “Firstly, I would like to congratulate the newly elected Prime Minister and his party for a historic general election victory, and thank those MPs we have worked closely with over the past five years.
“This election has brought about considerable change to the political landscape of Wales, with a significant reduction in the number of constituencies, changes in boundaries, and now a new UK Labour Government holding a majority in Westminster.
“The FUW is not affiliated to any political party and is therefore prepared to engage and work with politicians from all parties to ensure the voices of Welsh farmers are heard.”
The FUW General Election Manifesto sets out the Union’s key priorities of the incoming government, focussing on securing a fair, multi-annual funding settlement of at least £450 million per year in EU CAP legacy funding for agriculture and rural development in Wales. The role of this support in underpinning food production, environmental protection and rural communities in Wales cannot be underestimated.
It is essential that the newly elected UK Government ensures that any future deals with other countries and trading blocs take a far more robust approach that protects UK farmers and food security. With that, food imports and exports must be subject to the same custom and standard controls which provides a level playing field between UK and EU producers.
The Union’s Manifesto also calls on the UK Government to introduce procurement policies that prioritise public body support for Welsh and British businesses and promote a more transparent supply chain.
“Whilst the direction of farming in Wales heavily depends on the development of devolved agricultural policies, we must not forget how decisions made by the incoming UK administration will effectively determine the degree of funding the Welsh Government has available to support agriculture and rural development. It will also rule the extent of which Welsh producers are expected to compete against producers in other UK nations and across the globe on various levels.
“This is why we will waste no time in contacting the newly elected MPs in Wales and those that take on influential roles in parliament to ensure that we outline our key priorities at an early stage.
“Despite the challenge of navigating an ever changing political landscape, our role as the FUW in lobbying governments for the best possible outcomes for Welsh agriculture remains constant and relentless,” said Ian Rickman.
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