#samuel-kurtz-ms — Public Fediverse posts

SENEDD: Paul Davies bids to become next Llywydd – as Welsh Conservatives reflect on Sam Kurtz losing his seat

Veteran Welsh Conservative MS Paul Davies has formally launched a bid to become the next Llywydd of the Senedd – putting himself forward to chair the seventh Welsh Parliament after one of the most dramatic election results in devolved history.

Davies, who was re-elected for Ceredigion Penfro last week, confirmed his intention to run in a statement issued on Sunday – saying he had been urged to stand by colleagues and believed he had the experience to take on one of the most senior roles in Welsh politics.

The Llywydd – the Welsh equivalent of the Speaker – chairs debates in the Senedd chamber, maintains order during proceedings and ensures parliamentary rules are followed. The role is elected by Members of the Senedd in a secret ballot at the start of each new term.

It is one of the very first decisions the new 96-seat Senedd will make when it sits for the first time in the coming weeks.

“There has been much speculation since the election about who will take on the role of the next Llywydd in the Senedd,” Davies said. “I want to make it clear that, after consultation with colleagues and having been urged to do so by others, I will be putting my name forward to be the next Presiding Officer.”

The former Welsh Conservative leader said he believed his record in the Senedd qualified him for the role.

“I have the experience to champion the Welsh Parliament and have a clear understanding of its Standing Orders and procedures,” he said. “As the Temporary Presiding Officer in the previous Senedd, and as a former Committee Chair and Business Manager in the Welsh Parliament, I have the necessary skills to take on this important role.”

Davies has been a Member of the Senedd since 2007. He served as leader of the Welsh Conservatives from 2018 to 2021 – briefly succeeding Andrew RT Davies in the role before stepping down following an issue over compliance with Covid-19 regulations. Andrew RT Davies later returned as leader.

Paul Davies was elected in Ceredigion Penfro last week as the Welsh Conservatives’ lead candidate in the constituency – one of seven Welsh Tory MSs returned to the new Senedd.

His bid comes alongside reported interest in the Llywydd role from Welsh Labour’s Huw Irranca-Davies, the Deputy First Minister, who was re-elected for Afan Ogwr Rhondda.

A vote on the new Llywydd is expected to take place before the Senedd can move to elect a new First Minister – a process that will see Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth widely expected to be installed in the role at the head of a minority government.

Davies’ announcement comes against the backdrop of disappointment in west Wales Conservative circles after his colleague Sam Kurtz was not returned to the Senedd.

Kurtz – the former Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire MS – had been placed second on the Welsh Conservative list in Ceredigion Penfro behind Davies. That ranking ultimately cost Kurtz his seat, with the Conservatives taking only one of the six available in the constituency.

The decision to place Kurtz second was reportedly controversial within the local party, with supporters in Pembrokeshire arguing he had built a stronger personal following in the county and had been one of the Welsh Conservatives’ most visible campaigners in west Wales.

The situation echoes that of Welsh Labour’s Rob Stewart in neighbouring Gwyr Abertawe. The Swansea Council leader was placed second on the Welsh Labour list behind veteran MS Mike Hedges – and similarly missed out on a Senedd seat as Welsh Labour’s vote collapsed in the city.

The new D’Hondt voting system used for the first time at last week’s election means second-placed candidates are heavily reliant on their party’s overall vote share – and have struggled to be elected where that vote share has dropped sharply.

Calls have been made within Welsh Labour for Hedges to resign mid-term to allow Stewart to take his seat – a suggestion publicly rejected by Stewart himself, who said the democratic vote must be respected and has given Hedges his “full support.”

There is no indication that any similar suggestion has been made regarding Paul Davies and Sam Kurtz in Ceredigion Penfro.

Davies said he was saddened that Kurtz had not been returned to the Senedd, describing him as a hard-working colleague who had given strong service to Pembrokeshire and west Wales.

According to reporting in The Pembrokeshire Herald, Kurtz was tight-lipped about his political future when asked at the count declaration, even suggesting he might return to journalism, his pre-political career.

His loss is being viewed as one of the most significant individual Conservative casualties of the new electoral system – particularly given his profile on rural affairs, farming and tourism.

The Welsh Conservatives ended the 2026 Senedd election with seven seats – significantly down on the 16 they held in the previous Senedd. The party’s leader Darren Millar was re-elected in Clwyd, current leader Andrew RT Davies held his seat in Pen-y-bont Bro Morgannwg, and Paul Davies returned via Ceredigion Penfro.

Other Welsh Tory MSs returned included Janet Finch-Saunders in Bangor Conwy Mon, Peter Fox in Sir Fynwy Torfaen, Natasha Asghar in Casnewydd Islwyn and Sam Rowlands in Fflint Wrecsam.

Plaid Cymru emerged as the largest party in the new Senedd with 43 seats, six short of the 49 needed for an overall majority. Reform UK secured a historic 34 seats, Welsh Labour was reduced to nine, the Wales Green Party took two and the Welsh Liberal Democrats secured a single seat – that of leader Jane Dodds in Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd.

The new Senedd is expected to sit for the first time in the coming weeks, with the election of a new Llywydd among the first orders of business.

Our Senedd Election 2026 coverage

Mike Hedges should quit Senedd seat for Rob Stewart, senior Welsh Labour figure says
The anonymous intervention that branded Welsh Labour ‘functionally broken’ and called for two MSs to make way for new talent.

‘Respect the democratic vote’: Rob Stewart backs Mike Hedges
Swansea Council leader’s public statement of support after he was named as the potential beneficiary of any mid-term resignation.

Rhun ap Iorwerth to lead Plaid minority government
What happens next as Plaid prepares to take power.

First Minister Eluned Morgan loses seat and resigns as Welsh Labour leader
The historic moment Wales’ First Minister became the first leader of any UK government to lose her seat while in office.

Plaid Cymru largest party, Reform UK historic breakthrough — the new political map of Wales
Full results and analysis from the night that changed Welsh politics.

TENBY: “Tenby has been let down” — councillors demand more police on streets as stabbing sparks fury over rising youth disorder

Elected councillors in Tenby have issued an angry call for more visible policing in the town after Tuesday night’s railway station stabbing — with one saying the town has “been let down” and another warning that many residents no longer feel safe in their own community.

Four teenagers aged between 13 and 17, all from the Pembroke area, were stabbed at Tenby railway station on Tuesday evening after serious disorder broke out involving a large group of youths. All four have since been discharged from hospital, with British Transport Police confirming their injuries are not considered life-threatening or life-changing.

A 16-year-old boy and a 19-year-old man were arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm and both remain in police custody as the investigation continues.

Superintendent Jon Cooze of British Transport Police said the force had launched a thorough investigation and was keeping an open mind as to the background of what had happened. He thanked Dyfed-Powys Police colleagues for their quick actions at the scene and urged anyone who witnessed the incident or the events leading up to it to come forward.

“We understand the concern an incident of this nature will have caused in the community,” he said, “and while we believe it to be an isolated incident, passengers will notice an increased presence of officers in the area who are there to provide reassurance.”

He also asked the public not to share or speculate on footage circulating online while detectives concentrate on their investigation.

But the stabbing, serious as it is, has proved to be the breaking point in what councillors say has been a worsening pattern of youth disorder in the town — one they say police have repeatedly failed to address.

Reports on social media suggest trouble had been building throughout the day, with large numbers of youths gathering on North Beach. Earlier the same evening, Pembrokeshire County Council was forced to close the public toilets near the multi-storey car park after a gang of youths vandalised them.

One resident described the situation as having become “intolerable for weeks.” They said groups of up to 15 youths had been regularly causing havoc in the multi-storey car park, playing rugby in the road, climbing on bus shelters and screaming — and that police had been called several times without result. “There’s never an officer available in our area,” they said. “It’s not good enough.”

Another resident said hundreds of teenagers had been arriving in Tenby by train from across the county during recent days, vandalising toilets, stealing from local shops and abusing and attacking passers-by. “Transport for Wales and the police should be monitoring it,” they said. “With social media, AI and other systems, this behaviour should have been prevented before it escalated.”

Cllr Williams, county councillor for Tenby’s North ward, said the violence itself was not new — only the use of knives. He told the Tenby Observer he had emailed Dyfed-Powys Police about related concerns approximately three weeks ago and had not received a response. Officers are due to visit him at his home on Thursday, when he said he would be making “a very strong argument for a far more visible police presence in Tenby.”

“Tenby has been let down, despite an ever increasing precept being imposed upon us,” he said. “We have a right to feel safe in our community, and I know many that no longer do so.”

He noted that a CCTV monitoring system once operated from Tenby Police Station but that the station now appears to be closed. He said he would also be discussing the town’s needs with the Police and Crime Commissioner.

Cllr Sam Skyrme-Blackhall, county councillor for Tenby’s South ward, described the stabbings as a shock but said the wider problem of anti-social behaviour was well known. He pointed to Dyfed-Powys Police’s summer Operation Lion initiative — which brings additional officers into the town during the peak tourist season — and said he now believes it needs to be extended to other busy periods such as school holidays.

“We know that an increased police presence is an important part of keeping communities safe,” he said. “I will work with all parties to keep Tenby safe and encourage the police and PCC to do all that they can to ensure that this is a one-off incident.”

Tenby Town Council, speaking through Mayor Cllr Dai Morgan, said the behaviour seen this week does not reflect the town’s values or those of the overwhelming majority of its young people. The council called for more visible policing “particularly during busy periods, to provide reassurance to the community and to act as a deterrent to further incidents,” and said it would continue to work with police, Pembrokeshire County Council and partner agencies on longer-term solutions.

Henry Tufnell, MP for Mid and South Pembrokeshire, said he was deeply saddened by the events. “My thoughts and prayers are with the friends and families of those involved,” he said. “I know our community will be deeply shocked by these events, but we are all so grateful for the vital services of the emergency first responders on the scene.”

Samuel Kurtz MS, Senedd member for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire, called for zero tolerance on knife crime. “This kind of violence has no place in our communities and cannot be accepted under any circumstances,” he said. “Those responsible must face the full force of the law. We all deserve to feel safe where we live.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact British Transport Police by texting 61016 or calling 0800 40 50 40, quoting reference 916 of 07/04/26. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

TENBY: Four teens stabbed at railway station as two arrested and line closed
Our original report on Tuesday night’s stabbing at Tenby railway station.

LLANELLI: Police crack down on North Dock anti-social behaviour hotspot as spring season begins
Officers move to address disorder at a well-known trouble spot as warmer weather arrives.

SWANSEA: Police impose 48-hour dispersal order on city centre after Easter holiday disorder
Officers respond to disorder in Swansea city centre over the Easter break.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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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.

Chicken from China and Thailand served in school dinners as Welsh farmers ‘cut out of the system’

A major investigation by the Countryside Alliance has exposed how councils across Wales are relying on frozen chicken shipped thousands of miles around the world, even in rural areas surrounded by farms and food producers.

The data shows that Swansea Council sourced just 2.33% of its school‑meal chicken from the UK. The rest came from the EU and from China, Thailand and Brazil — with 31.96% imported from outside Europe.

Carmarthenshire Council admitted using frozen chicken from outside the EU but refused to say how much or from which countries. Pembrokeshire Council also declined to provide percentages, saying only that it used “some” UK and EU chicken.

Neath Port Talbot Council did not respond at all.

Bridgend was one of only two councils in Wales able to confirm that 100% of its chicken came from the UK.

The Countryside Alliance said the findings show a “systemic failure” to support Welsh farmers, with procurement rules and large contracts favouring cheap imports over local produce.

Across Wales, the worst figures were recorded in Merthyr Tydfil, where 99.35% of chicken served to pupils came from China and Thailand. Conwy reported 94% from Thailand and Brazil. Gwynedd — a predominantly rural county — reported 87.62% from Brazil, Thailand and China.

The report also revealed that not one council in Wales could say what proportion of its school‑meal chicken was actually Welsh.

The figures have caused uproar among farming families.

Hefin Jones, a father of three and a farmer in Conwy, said he was “deeply disappointed and frustrated” to learn that 94% of the chicken used in his local schools came from Thailand and Brazil.

“As parents we do our best to feed our kids nutritious healthy food, while our council disrespects the health and safety of our kids,” he said.

The Countryside Alliance said the situation made no sense in a country that prides itself on high food standards and strong farming communities.

Rachel Evans, Director of Countryside Alliance Wales, said:

“As a mother and a farmer, I’m shocked and disappointed. When we have such high‑quality Welsh and British produce, so much of the chicken our children are eating is being shipped in from the other side of the world.”

She said the Welsh Government’s own sustainability policies were being undermined by public bodies serving imported chicken “flown or shipped in from as far away as Thailand, China and Brazil”.

The Alliance said procurement rules were stacked against Welsh farmers, with councils tied into large contracts that favour cheap imports over local produce. It also warned that many councils could not trace where their chicken came from, calling the lack of transparency “deeply concerning”.

The Welsh Local Government Association defended councils, saying imported chicken was sometimes used because of cost pressures and availability, and insisted all chicken must meet UK food safety standards.

The Welsh Government said it was working with councils and suppliers to shorten supply chains and increase the use of Welsh food in schools.

But the issue has now erupted into a political row, with the Welsh Conservatives accusing Plaid Cymru and Labour of presiding over a system that imports chicken from thousands of miles away while Welsh farmers struggle.

Welsh Conservative Shadow Education Secretary Natasha Asghar MS said:

“Food for our children should be sourced within Wales wherever possible. Local authorities should be supporting Welsh farmers and producers, not shipping frozen chicken halfway around the world.”

She said the current approach “undermines food security” and raised questions about value for money and standards.

Welsh Conservative Shadow Rural Affairs Secretary Samuel Kurtz MS said:

“Welsh farmers are being undercut here. Plaid and Labour are importing frozen chicken from thousands of miles away while Reform would prioritise chlorinated chicken from the US. Using locally sourced Welsh produce would strengthen farm incomes, support rural jobs and shorten supply chains.”

The Countryside Alliance is now calling for urgent reform of school‑meal procurement, including mandatory reporting on where food comes from and new rules that allow councils to prioritise Welsh and British produce.

No plans to use Castlemartin camp for asylum accommodation, says Home Office

Local concerns over defence and services

Samuel Kurtz MS wrote to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood MP seeking urgent assurances after reports suggested the west Wales military site could be used for accommodation. He also raised the issue directly with Welsh Ministers in the Senedd, who confirmed the Welsh Government has had “no contact” with Westminster regarding any such proposals.

In his letter, Mr Kurtz warned that any move to repurpose Castlemartin would have serious implications for national defence and local services:

“Castlemartin is one of the United Kingdom’s few facilities capable of hosting live firing exercises at battlegroup level. It provides vital training for our armed forces, and any restriction on its use would represent a serious loss of national defence capability at a critical time.”

He also questioned the suitability of the location for residential use, citing limited infrastructure and stretched health services.

UK Government rules out immediate plans

A Home Office spokesperson responded to the concerns with a short statement:

“There are no current plans to use the site.”

The confirmation has eased fears locally, though campaigners and representatives continue to press for clarity on future use of military and public land in Pembrokeshire.

Penally precedent still fresh in memory

Pembrokeshire has previously seen military facilities repurposed for asylum seekers. Penally Camp, near Tenby, became the centre of controversy between October 2020 and March 2021 when it housed up to 250 asylum seekers.

Swansea Bay News reported at the time that then Welsh Secretary Simon Hart MP confirmed the camp would close by March 2021, following months of protests and criticism of living conditions. Inspectors highlighted serious shortcomings, prompting the Police and Crime Commissioner to call for its immediate closure. A subsequent panel also sought answers over the costs of running the facility.

The camp was eventually handed back to the Ministry of Defence and closed in late 2022.

Related articles

• Penally asylum camp to close by 21 March, says Simon Hart MP
• Police and Crime Commissioner calls for immediate closure of Penally asylum centre
• Panel seeks answers over Penally asylum camp costs

#asylumAccommodation #asylumSeekers #castlemartin #castlemartinTrainingCamp #homeOffice #homeSecretary #illegalImmigration #immigration #pembroke #pembrokeshire #samuelKurtzMs #shabanaMahmoodMp #ukGovernment #welshConservatives

ONS figures show Wales unemployment at highest level since 2015

A sharp rise that puts thousands out of work

The ONS labour market release for September 2025 shows unemployment in Wales climbing from 4.9% in August to 5.7%, meaning around 88,000 people are now out of work.

Employment has also slipped. Just over 70% of working‑age adults in Wales are in jobs, compared with a UK average of 75%. The Welsh Government’s own overview confirms Wales has the lowest employment rate of any UK nation.

One in four adults missing from the workforce

The figures also show Wales continues to have the highest economic inactivity rate in Great Britain. Nearly one in four adults of working age — around 482,000 people — are not working and not looking for work.

The ONS bulletin cautioned that while quarterly changes may not be statistically significant, the overall trend shows Wales lagging behind the UK average in both employment and inactivity.

An economy built on public services and shops

The ONS breakdown of jobs by sector shows where the pressure is falling.

Health and social care remains Wales’ biggest employer with more than 430,000 jobs, followed by education with 220,000. Retail still accounts for around 355,000 jobs, but manufacturing has slipped to 195,000 and construction to 158,000.

Hospitality employs about 247,000, a sector that grew after the pandemic but is now vulnerable as households cut back on spending. Transport and storage jobs remain steady at around 124,000, while professional and technical services employ about 221,000 — far fewer than in regions with stronger private‑sector growth.

The figures underline Wales’ reliance on public services and consumer‑facing industries, leaving the economy exposed when budgets tighten or demand falls.

Political blame game meets expert warnings

The figures have sparked a political row.

Samuel Kurtz MS, Welsh Conservative Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Energy, said: “Unemployment is at crisis levels in Wales after 26 years of anti‑business Labour, propped up by Plaid and compounded by Rachel Reeves’ economic mismanagement. Unemployment levels didn’t even hit these heights during the pandemic.”

He called for tax cuts and business rate reductions to help high streets and encourage growth.

Welsh Liberal Democrat Westminster Spokesperson David Chadwick MP said: “Surely the writing is on the wall now for the Chancellor’s jobs tax.

“Everyone except Rachel Reeves seems to have woken up to the fact that forcing small businesses to pay more in tax for giving people jobs would damage job opportunities. Now the proof is staring her in the face.

“The UK Labour Government must reverse their damaging National Insurance hike at the Budget, and commit to saving the small businesses that employ thousands in Wales and are at risk of collapse, if they’re to have any hope of reversing today’s concerning trend.”

Experts have also warned of wider risks. Yael Selfin, Chief Economist at KPMG UK, told Sky News the rise in unemployment “shows the labour market is loosening faster than expected” and said households would feel the squeeze as job security weakens.

Paul Nowak, General Secretary of the TUC, told the Guardian the government must act to protect jobs and invest in skills, warning that “otherwise communities will be left behind.”

And Ruth Gregory, Deputy Chief UK Economist at Capital Economics, told the Financial Times the figures “reinforce the case for the Bank of England to cut interest rates sooner rather than later.”

What it means for families and communities

For ordinary people, the statistics translate into fewer job opportunities, more competition for vacancies, and greater uncertainty heading into winter. Families may find it harder to budget, while communities could see more pressure on public services and local shops.

Economists warn that unless Wales can attract more private‑sector investment and reduce inactivity, the gap with the rest of the UK will continue to grow.

#Business #Economy #employment #OfficeForNationalStatistics #ONS #SamuelKurtzMS #unemployment #WelshConservatives #WelshGovernment