#cefincampbell — Public Fediverse posts

PEMBROKESHIRE: Wales vs Westminster showdown looms over Trump’s ‘space wars’ radar — as anti-DARC campaign asks new Plaid government to block it

When the votes were counted after the Senedd election earlier this month, the campaign against Donald Trump’s proposed deep space radar array in Pembrokeshire suddenly had a very different political landscape to work with.

Plaid Cymru — which voted at its national conference in October 2024 to take action against the Deep Space Advanced Radar Concept (DARC) — is now in government. Rhun ap Iorwerth is Wales’s new First Minister. And one of his first cabinet appointments — Siân Gwenllian as Local Government, Housing and Planning Minister — now places one of the most significant planning decisions in Wales’s recent history directly on her desk.

On 14 May, the campaign group PARC Against DARC formally submitted a request to the new Welsh Government to ‘call in’ the DARC planning application — a mechanism that would transfer the decision from Pembrokeshire County Council to Welsh ministers, putting Siân Gwenllian in the chair for a decision that could set Wales and Westminster on a collision course.

The Ministry of Defence submitted its planning application to Pembrokeshire County Council in April for 27 radar dishes at Cawdor Barracks in Brawdy — a short distance from the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, the only coastal national park in Britain. The dishes would form part of a system to track and identify objects in deep space, giving the US military capabilities it has publicly described as a tool for dominating space.

The public window to submit objections to Pembrokeshire County Council closes on 20 May. That means anyone who wants their voice heard has days left to act.

Campaigners say the numbers are already stark. Of 498 responses received by the MOD during its pre-application statutory consultation, 401 used PARC’s own template objection email. All other responses summarised in the report were also objections. PARC claims this amounts to a credible 100% of recorded public comments opposing the scheme — a figure the MOD has not disputed.

The jobs argument — which Pembrokeshire West MP Henry Tufnell has used to support the project — is also under fierce challenge. The MOD’s own Environmental Impact Assessment concedes that any jobs created would be of “low numbers” and “not significant” in the context of the county’s 49,000-strong workforce.

PARC says the real picture is far worse. The project would require the evacuation of the 14th Signal Regiment from Cawdor Barracks — a unit the campaign says numbers around 600 personnel. Against that, the MOD’s own documents claim just 40 to 60 new full-time jobs. Even at the most optimistic reading, PARC argues that amounts to a net loss of between 340 and 580 local jobs — and that most of the claimed new posts would be filled by US personnel rather than local workers.

The MOD argues the regiment was already planning to relocate by 2028. PARC disputes that too, pointing to a decades-long history of on-off closure plans at Cawdor Barracks stretching back to 2009 — with the regiment declared for closure and then reprieved multiple times. Former MP Stephen Crabb described it in Parliament as a “long drawn-out on-off, on-off discussion.”

Plaid Cymru’s opposition to DARC is well established. In April 2024, Plaid MS Cefin Campbell — who was re-elected for Sir Gaerfyrddin at this month’s election — tabled a statement of opinion in the Senedd opposing the development. Nearly a third of all sitting members signed it. Plaid MP Liz Saville-Roberts also tabled an Early Day Motion against DARC in Westminster.

“Plaid Cymru has a long and honourable history of promoting peace around the globe and opposing militarism at every level,” Campbell said at the time. “We cannot therefore support the construction of DARC and give space to American militarism on our land.”

Even the previous Welsh Government under Eluned Morgan called for a pause to the project in April, citing Trump’s “contempt for our country” as making the US an unreliable partner. Campaigners said at the time it didn’t go far enough — but with Plaid now in the Senedd, they believe they finally have a government willing to go further.

PARC is preparing a 150,000-word formal objection, covering visual impact, wildlife, health concerns, socioeconomic impacts and what it calls the MOD’s “maladministration of public consultations.” The group has been gathering signatures on a petition — which has passed 19,000 — and has clocked up more than 160 news articles covering the campaign since 2024.

Campaigners say the new Planning Minister is heading for a baptism of fire. “The election of the new Welsh Government is a huge and seismic development from our perspective,” PARC said. “We know that the party in control of Wales has a proud history of standing up for the people of Wales and standing for peace.”

The planning application is open for public comment at Pembrokeshire County Council’s online planning portal until 20 May. PARC’s one-click objection tool for residents is available at parcagainstdarc.com/call-it-in.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Planning application lodged for 27 giant radar dishes at Brawdy
Our report on the MOD formally submitting the DARC planning application in April.

Welsh First Minister calls for halt to Pembrokeshire space radar project
Eluned Morgan’s call for a pause — and why campaigners said it didn’t go far enough.

Game of Thrones star urges voters to back Plaid or Greens to block DARC radar
Jerome Flynn’s call to arms ahead of the Senedd election.

#CefinCampbell #DARC #HenryTufnellMP #PlaidCymru #RhunApIorwerthMS #SianGwenllianMS

SENEDD: South-west Wales politicians take key roles as Rhun ap Iorwerth names his first Plaid Cymru Cabinet

Rhun ap Iorwerth has wasted no time in putting his stamp on the Welsh Government, naming a full Cabinet within hours of being confirmed as First Minister — and going with experience, with politicians from south-west Wales given some of its most significant roles.

The most senior appointment from the region is Sioned Williams, one of the six Members of the Senedd elected for the Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd constituency, who has been named Deputy First Minister with responsibility for Social Justice and Equality. Williams, who served as a Plaid Cymru MS in the sixth Senedd, becomes the second most powerful figure in the Welsh Government — a remarkable rise that places a familiar face from the region at the very top of Welsh politics.

Speaking after her appointment, she said she was “humbled” to have been named Deputy First Minister. “This Government for all is committed to turning promise into immediate action for the people of Wales,” she said, pledging to focus immediately on the childcare offer and tackling child poverty.

Adam Price, who was elected in Sir Gaerfyrddin after returning to the Senedd from third on Plaid’s list, has been handed the brief for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy. The former Plaid Cymru leader, who previously served as MP and then MS for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr before stepping down as leader in 2023, returns to the frontline of Welsh politics with one of the most economically significant briefs in the Cabinet.

Cefin Campbell, who topped the poll in Sir Gaerfyrddin as Plaid’s lead candidate in Carmarthenshire, has been appointed Deputy Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education. A former MS who served in the sixth Senedd, Campbell is a well-known figure across the county — his brother Darrel, a teacher at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman in Ammanford, was among those caught up in the knife attack at the school in April 2024, an incident that shocked communities across the region.

The three appointments reflect ap Iorwerth’s clear decision to go with experience for his first Cabinet. Williams, Price and Campbell all served in the previous Senedd, giving the new administration a significant bedrock of knowledge and political credibility from day one in government.

The full Cabinet also includes Elin Jones as Cabinet Minister for Finance — a significant appointment given the questions already raised about Welsh Government funding commitments under the new administration, including the 75% funding pledge for the new Ysgol Heol Goffa in Llanelli.

Heledd Fychan has been appointed Trefnydd — the Welsh Government’s equivalent of Leader of the House, responsible for managing the government’s legislative programme and business in the Senedd — alongside her role as Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport.

Other Cabinet appointments include Mabon ap Gwynfor for Health and Care, Anna Brychan for Education and the Welsh Language, and Siân Gwenllian for Local Government, Housing and Planning.

Ap Iorwerth said the Cabinet would have a “relentless focus on doing what’s best for Wales.” He added: “United and filled with talent and experience ready to serve, my government will believe in the art of the possible, working as one team every day to improve the lives of the people of Wales.”

Welsh Labour said it would play an active role in holding the new government to account. A spokesperson said: “We look forward to being an effective opposition, scrutinising and holding the new Welsh Government to account. We’re living in a world with much uncertainty and all governments face challenges. No one knows better than our party that it is a privilege to govern and that immense responsibility now rests on different shoulders.”

Dan Thomas MS, Leader of Reform Wales, offered a cautious welcome while stressing his party’s intention to scrutinise the government. “The people of Wales need this Cabinet to deliver,” he said. “Our NHS, our schools and our economy need urgent change, and while I may disagree with Plaid, we all need them to succeed.”

He added: “We will scrutinise their actions and work to ensure that their attention is on our public services and not Welsh independence.”

With Cabinet now in place, Wales’ first Plaid Cymru government is formally up and running — just 24 hours after ap Iorwerth was confirmed as First Minister in the Senedd on Tuesday, ending 27 years of Labour leadership of the Welsh Government.

More on the new Welsh Government

Rhun ap Iorwerth confirmed as First Minister as Plaid Cymru makes history
How Wales’s first Plaid Cymru First Minister was confirmed in the Senedd.

Sir Gaerfyrddin: Reform and Plaid take three seats each as Labour wiped out
The Carmarthenshire result that returned Adam Price and Cefin Campbell to Cardiff Bay.

Mike Hedges warns Wales could face another election next year
The challenges facing the new minority government from day one.

Plaid Cymru largest party, Reform UK historic breakthrough — the new political map of Wales
The full story of the election that changed Welsh politics forever.

#AdamPriceMS #Cabinet #CefinCampbell #DeputyFirstMinister #FirstMinister #PlaidCymru #RhunApIorwerthMS #Senedd #SeneddElection2026 #SionedWilliamsMS #Trefnydd

SIR GAERFYRDDIN: Reform UK and Plaid Cymru take three seats each as Welsh Labour wiped out — Adam Price returns to the Senedd

Reform UK and Plaid Cymru have taken three Sir Gaerfyrddin seats each in a knife-edge result that ends Welsh Labour’s representation in Carmarthenshire entirely.

The result, declared this afternoon at the Carmarthenshire count, marks Reform UK’s first ever Senedd breakthrough in west Wales – and represents an historic collapse for Welsh Labour in a region it has long counted among its strongholds.

Plaid Cymru topped the poll with 36,160 votes, ahead of Reform UK on 27,542. Welsh Labour received 6,458 votes – a fraction of its previous performance in the area.

Plaid Cymru’s Cefin Campbell topped the poll, taking the first seat. Reform UK’s Gareth Beer took the second – becoming the first Reform UK Member of the Senedd ever elected in west Wales.

Plaid’s Nerys Evans took the third seat, with Reform’s Carmelo Colasanto taking the fourth.

The fifth seat went to Adam Price – the former Plaid Cymru leader and former MS for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr – marking his return to the Senedd.

The sixth and final seat went to Reform UK’s Sarah Edwards, after going to a recount with the margin understood to be around 140 votes.

Welsh Labour, the Welsh Conservatives and other parties failed to secure a single seat in the constituency.

The six new Sir Gaerfyrddin Members of the Senedd will be:

• Cefin Campbell (Plaid Cymru)
• Gareth Beer (Reform UK)
• Nerys Evans (Plaid Cymru)
• Carmelo Colasanto (Reform UK)
• Adam Price (Plaid Cymru)
• Sarah Edwards (Reform UK)

Adam Price’s return to the Senedd is one of the most significant individual stories of the day. The veteran Plaid politician, who previously served as MP for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr before becoming MS for the same area, stepped down as Plaid Cymru leader in 2023.

His return – via Plaid’s Sir Gaerfyrddin list – gives Plaid Cymru one of its most experienced political operators back at Cardiff Bay. Price had originally been selected third on Plaid’s list, meaning his election demonstrates just how strongly the party performed in the constituency.

l-r) Cefin Campbell, Nerys Evans and Adam Price celebrate at the Sir Gaerfyrddin count after all three were elected as Plaid Cymru Senedd Members for the constituency. Picture: Swansea Bay News

The result is a significant moment for Reform UK in Wales. The party had targeted Sir Gaerfyrddin as a key constituency, with Welsh leader Dan Thomas visiting Llanelli during the campaign to push for what he described as a major breakthrough in west Wales.

That breakthrough has now been delivered.

For Plaid Cymru, the result represents both consolidation and concern – three seats in one of its traditional strongholds is a strong return, but the party will have hoped to push for four against a Labour vote that had collapsed.

The constituency recorded a turnout of 55.97% – significantly higher than the 47.8% recorded in Casnewydd Islwyn and the 47.7% in Blaenau Gwent Caerffilii Rhymni, both of which declared earlier in the day.

Higher turnout has been described throughout the campaign as a positive indicator for Reform UK, with the party having focused much of its strategy on mobilising voters who had not traditionally turned out at Welsh elections.

The pattern in Sir Gaerfyrddin echoes the result earlier this afternoon in Casnewydd Islwyn – where Reform UK and Plaid Cymru also took two seats each, with Labour reduced to a single seat and the Welsh Conservatives picking up the sixth.

It also echoes Pen-y-bont Bro Morgannwg, where Plaid topped the poll ahead of Reform but the same six-seat split of two Reform, two Plaid, one Labour and one Conservative was returned.

Across the south Wales results so far, Welsh Labour’s collapse from its previous position of dominance is unmistakable.

Sir Gaerfyrddin is the third constituency to declare today, with attention now turning to Gwyr Abertawe – where the count is expected to conclude shortly.

Other constituencies in our area are also expected to declare in the coming hours, including Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd, Ceredigion Penfro and Afan Ogwr Rhondda.

Reform UK leader Dan Thomas, who became an MS himself earlier today after winning a seat in Casnewydd Islwyn, said in his victory speech that “the Welsh Valleys have been ignored, let down and forgotten by the old parties of Wales” – a message that now appears to be resonating across rural and post-industrial Wales alike.

The Sir Gaerfyrddin declaration ends an era in Carmarthenshire politics – with the constituency returning no Labour MS to the Senedd for the first time since the institution was established in 1999.

The full picture of how the new 96-seat Senedd will look should become clear over the coming hours, with the latest declaration of the day expected from Fflint Wrecsam at around 5.30pm.

#AdamPrice #CarmeloColasanto #CefinCampbell #GarethBeer #NerysEvans #PlaidCymru #ReformUK #SarahEdwards #SeneddElection2026 #WelshLabour

SENEDD SHAKE-UP: Winners and losers revealed as First Minister on course to lose seat

A major new YouGov poll has sent shockwaves through Welsh politics — with projections suggesting the First Minister could lose her seat and Labour suffer heavy losses across west Wales.

The YouGov poll, using detailed constituency modelling for ITV Wales and Cardiff University, points to a Senedd transformed — with Plaid Cymru emerging as the largest party and Reform UK surging into second place.

Wales-wide picture: Plaid on top as Senedd expands

Across Wales, the poll suggests a dramatic shift in power as the Senedd prepares to expand from 60 to 96 members under a new electoral system.

Plaid Cymru is projected to win 43 seats, making it the largest party but still short of an overall majority.

Reform UK is forecast to take 30 seats — a huge leap for a party that has never fought a Senedd election before.

Labour is projected to fall to just 12 seats, with the Greens on 10, while the Conservatives collapse to a single MS and the Liberal Democrats fail to win any representation.

The key number is 49 — the threshold needed for a majority in the new Senedd.

Under these projections, Plaid Cymru and the Greens together would hold 53 seats, enough to form a government without Labour.

Analysts say the results point to a fragmented but firmly left-leaning Senedd — with Plaid in the strongest position to lead the next government.

Mike Hedges is projected to retain his seatSwansea Council leader, Rob Stewart looks like missing out on a Senedd seat

Gŵyr Abertawe: big names miss out

In Gŵyr Abertawe, Labour would return incumbent MS Mike Hedges, who tops the party’s list.

But there would be no seat for Swansea Council leader Rob Stewart, who sits second — despite his high-profile role in recent national debates.

Reform UK would secure two seats, meaning former Conservative-turned-Reform councillor Francesca O’Brien would be elected alongside Steven Rodaway.

Plaid Cymru would return Gwyn Williams and Safa Elhassan, while West Cross councillor Chris Evans would take a seat for the Greens.

Adam Price looks like he’s set to remain in the Senedd, despite placing third on Plaid’s party list (Image: Plaid Cymru)

Sir Gaerfyrddin: Plaid dominance, Labour wiped out

In Sir Gaerfyrddin, Plaid Cymru is projected to dominate with four seats — returning Cefin Campbell, former Assembly Member Nerys Evans, ex-party leader Adam Price and Mari Arthur.

Reform would take the remaining two seats, with Gareth Beer — who came close to winning Llanelli at the last general election — joined by Carmelo Colasanto.

Labour is not projected to win a single seat in the constituency.

Welsh Lib Dem leader, Jane Dodds could be on the way out, with the party projected to not pick up a single seat

Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd: four-way split

In Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd, the result is finely balanced across four parties.

Plaid would return Sioned Williams and Rebeca Phillips, while Reform would elect James Evans and Iain Charles McIntosh.

Labour would hold onto one seat through Mahaboob Basha BEM — as previously reported when he topped Labour’s list for the area — while Neath Port Talbot councillor Nathan Goldup John would take a seat for the Greens.

The result would see Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Jane Dodds miss out on a seat in the constituency.

Deputy First Minister, Huw Irranca Davies looks likely to save his seatBuffy Williams looks set to miss out however

Afan Ogwr Rhondda: Labour heartland shaken

In Afan Ogwr Rhondda, Plaid is projected to take three seats, with Sera Evans, Alun Geraint Cox and Elyn Stephens all elected.

Reform would secure two seats through Benjamin McKenna and Sarah Cooper Lesard.

Labour would be reduced to a single representative — Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies — with current Rhondda MS Buffy Williams losing her place.

The result signals a major shift in one of Labour’s traditional strongholds.

Eluned MorganSamuel KurtzPaul DaviesBig names on the way out

Ceredigion Penfro: First Minister loses seat

In Ceredigion Penfro, Plaid would again lead with three seats, returning Elin Jones alongside Kerry Elizabeth Ferguson and Anna Nicholl.

Reform would take two seats through Susan Claire Archibald and Paul Marr, while Amy Nicholass would be elected for the Greens.

Crucially, Labour is not projected to win any representation here — meaning First Minister Eluned Morgan would lose her seat.

The constituency would also see senior Conservatives Paul Davies and Samuel Kurtz both miss out.

Big picture: political map redrawn

Across west Wales, the projections point to a dramatic political shift — with Reform UK emerging as a major force and traditional parties losing ground.

Despite the upheaval, Plaid Cymru remains the dominant party across every constituency in the region.

For voters, the implications are significant — from who represents their communities to how decisions are made on key issues like healthcare, transport and the cost of living.

With the election approaching, these results suggest one thing above all else — the political landscape in west Wales is changing fast.

And for some of Wales’ biggest political names, this could mark the end of the road.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Plaid Cymru storms ahead as shock Senedd poll predicts political earthquake
Earlier polling pointed to major shifts now playing out across west Wales.

Latest poll puts Reform and Plaid neck and neck in key battleground
South west Wales is emerging as crucial to the outcome of the election.

Experts launch “fantasy football” style Senedd election platform
New tools are helping voters track candidates and outcomes ahead of polling day.

First Minister’s surprise Swansea visit draws attention
Eluned Morgan has been out on the campaign trail across Swansea communities.

#AdamPriceMS #BuffyWilliams #CefinCampbell #ElunedMorganMS #GarethBeer #HuwIrrancaDaviesMS #JaneDodds #MikeHedgesMS #PaulDaviesMS #PlaidCymru #polling #ReformUK #RobStewart #SamuelKurtzMS #Senedd #SeneddElection #SeneddElection2026 #SionedWilliams #WelshLabour #YouGov