Latest news with #CardiffBay
BBC News
16-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Welsh Tory leader fails to rule out working with Reform or Plaid
The leader of the Welsh Tories in the Senedd has said he will work with "anybody" to get Labour out of power in Cardiff on BBC Radio Wales Breakfast, Darren Millar gave the same answer when asked if he would work with Reform or Plaid Cymru, failing to rule out co-operating with described his party as a "government in waiting" ahead of the next Senedd vote in May party has been polling in fourth place behind Labour, Reform UK and Plaid Cymru, and lost all of its MPs in Wales at the last general election. On current projections it is likely that no party will win a majority and will need to make arrangements with others to govern. Working with either Reform or Plaid Cymru would be likely to be controversial internally within the Conservatives - particularly over Plaid's pro-independence Millar told the programme: "I'm prepared to work with anybody to get rid of this failing Labour government."I've said it many times, and that is what I'm determined to do, because it's in the national interest."Asked to clarify if that was his answer to working with Reform, he repeated the point: "I will work with anybody to get rid of this dreadful Welsh Labour government. I'll say no more than that."Pushed on what his position was on working with Plaid Cymru, he made the same argument: "I'll work with anybody to get rid of this failing Labour government."It's perfectly possible for parties with very different views to develop an agenda for government that they can agree on ."The new Senedd arrangements with the new voting system mean that no single party will have an overall majority."But I'm determined to be in the driving seat so that we can deliver a Conservative agenda that will transform Wales and make it better."Devolution, at the moment, for most people has failed them, because it's been run by a Labour government for such a long time."Millar was speaking at the start of the party's conference in Llangollen. On Saturday morning the party launched a number of policies including a promise to bring down waits for NHS treatment to no more than a year, and reinstating home economics to schools."We have set out a raft of policies. That's because we're a party which is a government in waiting," Millar told Radio Wales comes amid a row among party grassroots members who say Tories who dislike devolution are effectively barred from being Farage has said that Reform UK would be willing to work with any other party to form a government in UK's Conservative leader has herself refused to be drawn on any post-electoral pacts with Farage's party in the Senedd."I have ruled out a pact with Nigel Farage in the Westminster parliament," she said.
BBC News
15-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Welsh Conservatives: scrapping Senedd for the birds
Conservative supporters opposed to devolution have been told scrapping the Senedd is "for the birds" by the party's leader in Cardiff Tories gather in Llangollen, Denbighshire, this weekend with Darren Millar trying to navigate choppy waters and avoid big political hazards in his discontent with devolution - and Millar's stance on it - has spilled over in recent weeks as the party also struggles against the rising surge of Reform and dreadful recent he prepares for the party's spring conference, Millar has accused some of his critics of "hiding behind pseudonyms". Some grassroots members have been publicly critical of Millar's pro-devolution stance and what they see as an implication that any candidates for next year's Senedd election have to back it. A recent article on the website Conservative Home, written under a pen name, accused Millar of declaring "war" and ended with the words "Millar must go". Conservative Home is no random website or X account - it is the home of grassroots conservatism and is a platform the party hierarchy takes accused some of his critics of "hiding behind pseudonyms", but conceded there was a "diversity of views" and he gets people's frustrations with devolution."The devolution dividend that was promised to people back in 1999, they have not seen it," he said, speaking in his constituency office in Abergele."What we have got to do is make sure that we are given the opportunity to really transform people's lives with devolution."That is why they are frustrated. If they saw that dividend, if they saw what a Welsh Conservative government could do, reducing their taxes, delivering better public services, I think that would change the dynamic." He rejected the idea of abolishing the Senedd: "Frankly if you think you can unpick devolution in one part of the UK and leave it in place for others, like Scotland and Northern Ireland and the mayoralties in England, it's just for the birds."Millar said he was not stopping candidates from putting themselves forward, but anybody who wanted to stand should "support, represent and promote Welsh Conservative policy". Millar also said that the pro-devolution policy had been consistent for over two Welsh Conservatives have historically struggled to turn out their vote in Senedd elections because many traditional party supporters are sceptical of devolution in the first place.A YouGov poll of 2024 voters suggested more than 60% of those who had voted Conservative in Wales supported the abolition of the said, the party managed its best ever Senedd result in 2021, but three years later suffered a Welsh wipe-out at the general election. As he tries to keep a lid on grassroots anger, Millar's party is also at risk of being engulfed by the surge in support for from the Welsh election study suggests almost half of previous Tory voters have switched support to Nigel Farage's insisted voters had a choice between "a proper Conservative Party" or "people masquerading in sometimes a Conservative jacket, sometimes a hard left jacket".Polls suggest Reform is a serious contender to be the biggest party next May, but Millar predicted they would "melt under any kind of reasonable scrutiny of their policies - when they do bring them forward - because they do not appear to have any". He was also critical of Reform's decision not to appoint a Welsh leader, although neither that nor a lack of Wales-specific plans appears to be doing Reform any harm in the of the parties are likely to get close to a majority next May, but even if they do manage only 13% of the vote - as the most recent poll suggested - the Welsh Conservatives could still theoretically find themselves as part of a post-election said it was "in the national interest" to end 26 years of Labour-led government in Cardiff Bay and that he would "work with anybody to make sure that happens".In that scenario there might again be grumblings from within. Some of his grassroots would be horrified by any agreement with Plaid Cymru, whose ultimate goal of Welsh independence is an existential threat to the United Kingdom, or with Reform, which is an existential threat to the view of Tory party leader Kemi Badenoch could also come into play after she ruled out a "national" Westminster pact with Reform, but refused to be drawn last month on any Senedd will give a speech on Saturday, his first to a conference since becoming Tory Senedd leader just over five months has not got that much longer to plot a course to electoral success.
The Sun
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
I'm a midsize 12 & found the perfect denim shorts for summer from H&M – they're so stretchy & get you change from £20
A MIDSIZE fashion fan has found the perfect pair of shorts for summer. So if you've dug out your denims from last year and they're fitting a bit snug, fear not, you've come to the right place. 5 5 Not only are these shorts super purse-friendly, but they're so stretchy too. But you'll need to move fast if you want to nab them, as sizes are selling out fast. Sophie, a size 12 fashionista from Cardiff Bay, Wales, recently took to social media to show off her latest H&M order, which she described as one of her 'favourite H&M hauls ever.' Not only did Sophie try on a gorgeous pair of brown trousers and a gorgeous dress that would be perfect for a wedding, but she also modelled the new Denim Drawstring Shorts. Sophie was overjoyed with the shorts, as she beamed: ' Elasticated everything & COMFORT at its finest. 'Girls, I can't even deal!!! The denim shorts will be a staple piece to your wardrobe!' Sophie styled the Denim Drawstring Shorts with a cropped white blouse and a pair of chunky black sandals, a look that we think is perfect for warm days. The denims, which many online shoppers have hailed as the perfect length, are available to buy in three colours - light denim, medium denim and dark denim. The loose-fit shorts are made with cotton denim and have a narrow drawstring at the waist. Featuring side pockets and straight-cut hems, as well as a small slit at the side, these denim shorts are sure to turn heads this season. 'I need this in my life,' cry fashion fans as Quiz reveals perfect summer two piece You'll be pleased to know that they're super affordable and you'll even get change from a £20 note. The shorts, which have amassed an average rating of 4.7 out of five on the H&M website, are priced at £19.99 and sizes range from an XS to a 4XL, making them perfect for a variety of different body shapes. Hottest fashion trends of 2025 Fabulous' Fashion Editor Clemmie Fieldsend shares the biggest trends from the high street. The East/West Bag Baguette bags have had a good run, after returning from the 1990s' shoulders of Sarah Jessica Parker to modern-day fashion icons, like Hailey Bieber. In 2025, the East/West bag is a similar but elongated shape and has long, thin straps that are easy to throw over your shoulder. They've been on runway models' arms at nearly ever designer show - think Burberry, Givenchy and Bottega Veneta - and are hitting the high street now, too. Powder pink Bright fuchsia pink had its day after the release of Barbie in 2023 and now the more polished and expensive-looking pale shade is taking over for 2025. Pantone may say that it's the year of Mocha Mousse, but the catwalks say otherwise! From Prada to Erdem, the subtle look was all over the spring/summer catwalks, worn head-to-toe or on its own. If the sugary shade is too girly for you, then look to sharp suiting for a androgynous take on the colour. The shell jacket The '80s classic is back, but with a sleek and minimal new twist for 2025. We all know we're likely to see rain for most of spring, so your practical coat of choice should be a cagoule jacket. Depop revealed one of its big trend predictions for this year is retro sportswear, with surges already seen in '80s windbreakers'. Seen everywhere from the stylish streets of Copenhagen to the Miu Miu catwalk, now mums who have an emergency raincoat crumpled underneath their pushchair are very much in fashion! The turn-up jeans While the shape of jeans remains the same for this year and barrel-legs will still be everywhere, the way we're styling them is different. This season, transform your wide-leg, baggy denims into turn-ups. For this look, size doesn't matter, so while deep turn-ups are a hit from jean trend-leaders Citizens of Humanity, a slight fold is still just as good - but only as it's just one single fold. Peep-toe shoe Get your pedicures booked in sharpish, as this season your toes are the main event. After a long hiatus, the peep-toe has been welcomed back into the fashion fold, with brands like Hermes, Miu Miu and Tory Burch showing plain and embellished footwear in this style. From mules to pumps and clogs (yes, clogs will be around too!), there are lots of different styles that are set to sweep the high street. Sheer blouses See-through looks have always lived on the catwalk, but have rarely filtered into everyday life - until now. Designers Ralph Lauren and Tom Ford loved sheer looks on their S/S '25 catwalks and M&S even had sellout success with its black sheer pencil skirt last season. Expect to see more sheer looks lining supermarket aisles and high street shops in the form of skirts, tops and frocks. Thanks to the elasticated waistband, these shorts are sure to be ideal for bloated days, but will also look fabulous for running errands or enjoying a picnic in the sun with pals. Fashion fans beam The TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @ sostylishsoph, has clearly left many open-mouthed, as it has quickly racked up 152,700 views, 4,527 likes and 30 comments in just 24 hours. Fashion fans were left gobsmacked by Sophie's H&M finds and many eagerly raced to the comments to express this. One person said: 'Every single one of these I want! Love love love.' Another added: 'Love everything.' A third commented: 'You look incredible in it all!' Meanwhile, someone else simply penned: ' Obsessed!' Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme - Sun Club 5
BBC News
07-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Cardiff councillor to pay hundreds after police station protest
Councillor to pay hundreds after police station protest 6 minutes ago Share Save Ted Peskett Local Democracy Reporting Service Share Save LDRS Councillor Imran Latif locked himself to another person at a police station protest in June 2024 A councillor has been ordered to pay hundreds of pounds after he locked himself to another person as part of a protest at a police station. Imran Latif, who represents the Penylan ward at Cardiff council, was suspended from the Liberal Democrats group last year after he was charged with two offences relating to the June 2024 protest about an individual who had been arrested at an earlier demonstration. The 45-year-old pleaded guilty to locking himself to a person to cause significant disturbance at a Cardiff Magistrates' Court hearing on Tuesday. The second charge, of using threatening or abusive words or behaviour likely to cause a disturbance, was dismissed after no evidence was offered. A total of 16 people were arrested after what police described as a spontaneous protest in the front desk area of Cardiff Bay Police Station at 21:30 BST on 3 June 2024. It look place just hours after another protest involving 50 to 60 protesters in Cardiff city centre. At the time, it was reported people were protesting against the war in Gaza. The court heard how Latif entered the police station, sat on the floor and locked himself to another protester. Jaggery/Geograph The spontaneous protest took place at Cardiff Bay Police Station, hours after a bigger demonstration in the city centre
