News
Welcome to our news page.
For Press Releases from our Member of Parliament (Stephen Crabb MP), Constituency Assembly Member (Paul Davies AM) and the Conservative MEP for Wales (Dr Kay Swinburne MEP) please visit their respective websites:
Preseli Pembrokeshire News
STEPHEN APPOINTED TO GOVERNMENT
Stephen Crabb, Member of Parliament for Preseli Pembrokeshire, has been appointed to serve in the new coalition as a Government Whip. The appointment was confirmed by the Prime Minister on 19th May 2010.
This appointment follows Stephen's role as a Shadow Government Whip when the Conservative Party was in opposition.
Whips play a key role in managing the passage of legislation through Parliament however, as a member of the government whips Stephen will no longer be able to speak in the House of Commons with the freedom of a backbencher and cannot table Parliamentary questions.
Stephen will have special responsibilty for Department of Health, Leader of the House and Cabinet Office business.
After the annoucement, Stephen said:
"It is an honour to be asked to serve in the government and I was especially pleases to be offered a position within the Whips Office, which will play a vital role in ensuring a stable administration for our country in the months and years ahead."
"While I intend to do my very best in this new role, I am absolutely clear in my mind that my work for Preseli Pembrokeshire must not suffer, and I intend to pursue constituents' cases just as vigorously as before and achieve the best possible resultsfor them"
Stephen's new role will ensure that he is able to regularly meet with ministers to discuss issues and concerns affecting people in Pembrokeshire, including following up cases with relevant ministers on behalf of constituents.
STEPHEN CRABB RE-ELECTED AS MP FOR PRESELI PEMBROKESHIRE
Stephen Crabb, Member of Parliament for Preseli Pembrokeshire, and his campaign team celebrated success on Thursday 6th May as he held on to his seat and significantly increased his majority.
Stephen retained the seat by 4605 as he gained 42.79% share of the vote. This was a significant increase on the 2005 General Election result which Stephen won by only 607 votes.
Commenting Stephen after the result, Stephen said:
"I'm absolutely thrilled with the outcome of the election. We all new that the campaign in Preseli Pembrokeshire was going to be a close race as it is a marginal constituency. I am therefore delighted that the team's hard work has resluted in a significantly increased majority"
"There remains a lot of hard work to do if we are going to achieve a stable and efficient Government in the months ahead but I am delighted that the Conservatives are now back in Government once again."
Association Chairman James Thickitt was equally pleased with the result:
"Not only is this a reflection on how well Stephen has represented the constituency over the last five years, it is also a reflection on how Stephen and his team organised and lead the campaign, and on all those who took part in helping throughout the campaign"
"We would like to take the opportunity to thank everyone who took part in helping during the camapaign, both Association Members and non Members, and really shows what we can do when we work together. Everyone really can make a difference."
THE GENERAL ELECTION IS FINALLY CALLED
The official annoucement of the General Election on May the 6th has now been annouced. The most important election for a generation offers a choice between five more years of Gordon Brown's tired governement making things worse - or change with the Conservatives, who have the energy, leadership and values to get Britain moving again.
Anyone who wants to help Stephen Crabb in this years election campaign to be re-elected and continue to provide the strongest possible voice for Pembrokeshire in Westminster please contact the Association Office on 01437763527.DAVID CAMERON HIGHLIGHTS ACHIEVEMENT OF PEMBROKESHIRE'S CONSERVATIVE COUNCILLORS IN CONFERENCE SPEECH
DAVID CAMERON AT THE 2010 WELSH CONSERVATIVE CONFERENCE
Conservative leader David Cameron has recognised the achievements of Pembrokeshire's Conservative County Councillors in a keynote speech. Mr Cameron was speaking at the 2010 Welsh Conservative Conference in Llandudno, which is the last before the General Election.
Mr Cameron highlighted the seats won in the 2008 County Council elections where overall, Welsh Conservatives won 174 seats, an increase of 67 on the 2004 result. In Pembrokeshire, the Conservative Group made more gains than any other party.
In his speech, Mr Cameron also attacked Labour's record in office and record level of National Debt that has been amassed.
Commenting on Mr Cameron's speech, Pembrokeshire County Councillor for Wiston, David Howllett said
"I was very pleased that David Cameron mentioned the success of Conservative Councillors on Pembrokeshire County Council in winning seats in the 2008 County Council Elections. We are of course looking forward to the 2012 County Council Elections, where we aim to increase our representation even further"
LOCAL BRIDGE UNDER SPOTLIGHT
COUNTY COUNCILLOR DAVID HOWLETT AND STEPHEN CRABB MP ON CLARBESTON ROAD RAILWAY BRIDGE
The deteriorating state of the railway bridge in Clarbeston Road is being highlighted by Stephen Crabb MP and Conservative County Councillor David Howlett.
MP Stephen Crabb was contacted by constituents who advised of the disclouration of the structure Mr Crabb wrote to Network Rail to ask if the bridge could be made more visually appealing, but this request was turned down on monetary grounds. Local County Councillor David Howlett, then requested that Network Rail power wash the bridge, but again this was turned down due to financial constraints.
Undeterred the pair have now decided that as it is clear that Network Rail cannot help, they will look to power wash the bridge themselves.
Commenting on the matter, Stephen Crabb MP said:
"The bridge is begining to resemble the old Berlin Wall. The discolouration is getting worse and it looks very unsightly"
Councillor Howlett added:
"Having had two negative responses from Network Rail to our requests for help, we have decided to look to do the work ourselves, and have asked Network Rail for permission for us to power wash the bridge"
It is planned to undertake the work in the late spring, after Network Rail are satisfied by various Health and Safety requirments.
ASSOCIATION OFFICERS FOR 2010-11 ANNOUNCED AT ASSOCIATION AGM
At the Association AGM held on Saturday the 19th of Feburary the Officers for 2010-11 were announced. The Officers and their posts can be found on the About Us page of the website.
NEW WEBSITE DESIGNED TO COMPLIMENT THE 2010 ELECTION CAMPAIGN NOW ONLINE
Stephen Crabb MP has a new website designed to complement the 2010 election campaign Working For Pembrokeshire You can volunteer to help in the campaign, find out the latest campaign news or subscribe to his email newsletter and much more. Please take a look at the site and recommend it to to your friends, family and colleagues.
ASSOCIATION MEMBER WINS FISHGUARD AND GOODWICK TOWN COUNCIL BY-ELECTION
James Thickitt won the recent by-election on January the 28th to represent the Fishguard North East Ward on the Fishguard and Goodwick Town Council. The result was James Jonathon Thickitt 152 votes, Joseph Aloysius Bartholomew D'Cruz 134 vaotes. The turnout was 19.5%.
CONSERVATIVE CANDIDATE STANDING IN HAVERFORDWEST TOWN COUNCIL BY-ELECTION
Preseli Pembrokeshire Conservative Association Member Trevor James has been nominated to stand in the upcoming by-election on Thursday the 4th of February to represent the Castle Ward on Haverfordwest Town Council. The Association would like to wish Trevor the best of luck on the 4th.
NEW YEAR MESSAGE FROM THE ASSOCIATION CHAIRMAN JANET WAYMONT
As I look back to March 2006 I begin to reflect on what I have been able to contribute to the Association. For me, it's been a busy time; very interesting and rewarding. I have enjoyed getting to know our members, a number of whom I consider as my friends.
On Saturday 20th of February we have our Annual General Meeting and members will be voting for our officers for 2010/11: President, Vice President, Chairman Deputy Chairman Membership, Deputy Chairman Political and Treasurer. I would urge any member who would like to be actively involved in our Association's business and influence the way we manage our responsibilities to progress financially, politically and socially to put theit names forward for nomination.
Granted an officer will need to be prepared to give time to the Association but there is much job satisfction in working with a lively group of people, well supported by our Organising Secretary.
In the meantime branches will be arranging their AGMs and I look forward to being invited to preside at each one early in 2010 and essentially by 20th February.
Politically we have a very busy time ahead from January campaining for the General Election. We will be working with Stephen Crabb our Menber of Parliament to give him every support we hope that as many members as possible will help in any way, however small, to prepare leaflets, deliver these in their locality, display posters, canvassing or contributing to our Fighting Fund.
Elections are expensive and we take pride in the material we produce, making every effort to ensure that these leaflets are delivered to every household in the constituency.
We are most fortunate that Stephen Crabb MP has been able to persuade senior Members of Parliament to visit our Association over the past four years- Dr Liam Fox, Patrick Mcloughlin, Cheryl Gillian, Michael Gove and Patrick Mercer. As we are 250 miles from London MP's don't want to travel so far, but when they do come as guest speakers, such events are well attended. We do not pay any of their expenses.
"Question Time" held last May, with three Assembly Members Nick Bourne, Nick Ramsey and Brinley Williams chaired by our AM Paul Davies, was a great success we hope to repeat this in 2010.
The opportunity to discuss a range of issues of local and national interest by the Political Committee has been revived this year and notices of these meetings are sent out to members of the Political Commitee and Branch Chairmen. Please note that any member can attend the Political Commitee meetings.
Financially and socially, we have to continue to do as much fund raising as possible and try to provide our members, supporters and friends with a variety of events. What about the following during 2010- a curry night followed by belly dancing, anitques roadshow with cheese and wine, and a guided walk along one of Pembrokeshire coastal paths. Any other suggestions will be very welcome.
My main message to you is, please consider being nominated as an officer of the Association or your branch, and more importantly to support Stephen Crabb during his election campaign so that he is re- elected as our Member of Parliament for a second term.
Finally, we have an Association we can be proud of- well done to all of you and a personal thank you for your friendship and support during my time as your Chairman. Let's keep up the good work in 2010- there is so much more to be done.
NEW YEAR MESSAGE FROM STEPHEN CRABB MP
Within the next few months Gordon Brown will call a General Election that will determine whether Britain can overcome the current economic crisis which threatens the future of this country.
It will be the most important election since 1979, when the Conservative Party last moved from opposition to government. Following the Winter of Discontent, Margret Thatcher's Government took over a country facing deep economic turmoil. But through her strength of purpose and her belief in sound financial principles, she succeeded in transforming the economy.
It has been the mission of every Conservative Government since the war to clean up the mess of an outgoing Labour administration. History shows that every Labour Government leaves office with unemployment rising, the economy weaker and poverty getting worse. The Blair/Brown New Labour project is no different. Except the scale of the crisis now facing our country is unprecedented.
The UK is mired in the worst recession since records began. Other countries hane moved out of recession but Britain remains stuck. The size of our National Debt has never been higher and the deficit (the shortfall between how much tax Government raises and how much it spends) is increasing at a stagering rate of £3 billion a week. The Government now spends more each year on the interest on its debt than on the whole educuation system. This is scandalous.
The nation needs a Conservative Government like never before; to restore order to public finances and get the economy moving again. David Cameron has been very honest about the scale of the challenges ahead and has said that there will need to be an Emergancy Budget in the first days of a Conservative Government.
There will be some tough decissions to make but better times do lie ahead for our country if we can fix our broken economy.
This is an election we cannot afford to lose. The Nation needs us to win, and to win with a clear, stable majority.
For us in Preseli Pembrokeshire, that means we need to campaign hard to make this seat truly secure.
It might be tempting to think that after snatching the seat from Labour in 2005 we can relax for this election. But this campaign will be just as tough, we need all supporters to do their bit to achieve another good result.
This could mean delivering a few leaflets or stuffing some envelopes or putting up a poster in your garden or window. A little effort by everyone will create a powerful election campaign. Please let Georgina in the Association office know how you might help.
For the first time in many years, we are in a position to think seriously about forming a new Government.
It is an exciting moment to be a Conservative. It is for moments like these that we join the Party and keep the flag flying in good times and bad. We join the party to have an opportunity of changing our country for the better. Please do all you can to make the 2010 election an historic turning point for the nation.
NEW YEAR MESSAGE FROM PAUL DAVIES AM
I was recently lucky enough to win a ballot that allowed me to chose a subject for the Senedd. The subject I decided to speak about was the shortcomings of rail services in West Wales, with the title "On The Right Track? train Services In West Wales."
I have been lobbying for extra services to Fishguard for sevearl years now. Recently you may have seen in the local press the article regarding two Moylegrove teenagers who handed me a petition with over 1300 signatures calling for action on this very matter. I was very pleased to be able to present the document on their behalf to the Assembly's Petitions Committee, who will now consider the request.
One of the other themes to my speech was the need for better integration between rail and other forms of public transport, which I believe is vital.
