Wetsuit jibe lands Swansea MP in hot water with Lib Dems
The remark — captured on video and shared by ITV News Politics — has sparked a row, with the Welsh Liberal Democrats accusing Mr Bell of immaturity and hypocrisy.
Local criticism
In a statement, the party said that at a time when Swansea and Wales face challenges from the cost‑of‑living crisis to NHS waiting times and housing shortages, “playground insults” were not what people expected from their MP.
They also highlighted concerns that Mr Bell, who was selected for Swansea West last year, had “little connection to the community” and had focused more on building his Westminster profile than working with local groups.
Policy record challenged
The Lib Dems further accused Mr Bell of inconsistency on welfare policy. They pointed to comments he made at the Resolution Foundation, where he described the two‑child benefit cap as “immoral” and called for its abolition, contrasting this with his subsequent votes in Westminster to retain the cap.
Councillor’s response
Cllr Sam Bennett, a Swansea councillor and Welsh Liberal Democrat Senedd candidate for Gŵyr Abertawe, said:
“Swansea expects more from someone in national office. Swansea West deserves an MP who works with the community and shows respect, not one who hides behind childish jibes.”
He added that the Liberal Democrats would continue to hold Labour to account on issues such as the two‑child benefit cap, Winter Fuel Allowance and river pollution “without descending into childish insults.”
Video clip
The moment Mr Bell made the remark was captured on camera and shared by ITV News Politics. You can view the clip below:
https://twitter.com/ITVNewsPolitics/status/1972349159006187924
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Thousands of shoplifting cases go unsolved in South Wales and Dyfed‑Powys as charge rates remain low
House of Commons Library data obtained by the Welsh Liberal Democrats shows that in 2024‑25, 6,734 shoplifting investigations in South Wales and 946 in Dyfed‑Powys were closed with no suspect identified. That’s the equivalent of more than 21 incidents a day going unsolved across the two force areas combined.
South Wales Police recorded a charge rate of 25.3%, while Dyfed‑Powys Police charged or summoned suspects in just 13.6% of cases. Across Wales, 13,077 shoplifting investigations were closed without a suspect — around 35 a day.
The Liberal Democrats say the figures highlight the scale of the problem and the impact on local businesses, warning that shoplifting is “not a victimless crime” and that staff are increasingly at risk from persistent offenders.
David Chadwick MP, Welsh Liberal Democrat for Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe, said:
“These shameful figures show the impact years of cuts to our police by the Conservatives had on society. This Labour government must now right these wrongs and crack down on shoplifting. Shoplifting is at epidemic levels in Wales now, with many business owners feeling like it has all but been decriminalised and many retail staff increasingly being put in harm’s way.”
Cllr Sam Bennett, the party’s Senedd candidate for Gwyr Abertawe (Swansea & Gower), added:
“Shoplifting is not a victimless crime; it does a huge amount of damage to our local businesses and those who work in them. It’s time for the government to scrap Police and Crime Commissioners and invest the money in frontline policing instead. That way we can get more bobbies on the beat and stop this lawlessness on our high streets.”
The party is calling for the role of Police and Crime Commissioners to be abolished, with the funds redirected to frontline policing.
Wider picture
Police Force% Charged% No Suspect IdentifiedDyfed‑Powys13.6%46.5%Gwent24.3%47.1%North Wales23.5%49.5%South Wales25.3%51.3%Retail trade bodies have previously warned that rising shoplifting rates are linked to organised crime as well as opportunistic theft, and have called for tougher enforcement alongside better support for shop workers.
#DavidChadwickMP #DyfedPowysPolice #PoliceAndCrimeCommissioner #prosecution #SamBennett #shoplifting #SouthWalesPolice #WelshLiberalDemocrats
Welsh Government under pressure over paramedic recruitment shortfall
Concerns have been raised over a major shortfall in paramedic recruitment in Wales, with just 20 of this year’s 67 graduates set to be hired by the Welsh Ambulance Service — despite the service requesting 86 new recruits through Welsh Government funding.
The figures, revealed by Swansea Liberal Democrat Councillor and Senedd candidate Sam Bennett, have sparked criticism from opposition parties who say the decision undermines efforts to improve ambulance response times and risks wasting public investment in training.
Bennett, who is standing for Gŵyr Abertawe (Swansea West & Gower), said:
“We cannot afford to lose these highly skilled professionals, especially not at a time when the NHS is under this much pressure.”
“It is shocking that despite funding 87 paramedic students, less than half will be recruited. That so few are to be hired is a scandal.”
The Welsh Liberal Democrats are calling on the Welsh Labour Government to urgently intervene and create more posts to absorb the newly qualified paramedics.
According to the latest performance data, 51% of red calls — the most life-threatening emergencies — are not being met within target times, while 33% of amber calls, which include heart attacks and strokes, are taking longer than an hour to respond to.
Party leader Jane Dodds MS added:
“The NHS is our top priority. Having already paid for the training, it’s a no-brainer that the Welsh Government should seize this opportunity to give paramedics more support and resources.”
The Welsh Government has not yet issued a formal response to the figures, but Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care Jeremy Miles has reportedly confirmed the numbers in correspondence with the party.
The Welsh Ambulance Service has faced sustained pressure in recent years, with staff describing the job as “soul-destroying” amid long delays, staffing shortages, and rising demand.
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Swansea Labour MPs told to ‘grow a backbone’ over welfare cuts
108 Labour MPs have signed an amendment to the Government’s welfare reform bill declining to give the welfare reform Bill a second reading when it returns to the Commons on 1 July.
The amendment recognised the “need for the reform of the social security system” but called on MPs to continue scrutinising the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill “because the Government’s own impact assessment estimates that 250,000 people will be pushed into poverty as a result of these provisions, including 50,000 children”.
If the 108 rebel Labour MP’s amendment was supported by opposition MPs, then this would be enough to defeat the Government’s plans.
Campaigners have criticised the lack of public consultation with disabled people of the plans, particularly in Wales saying there is a “growing atmosphere of fear and anger” about the proposals.
It has been revealed that just 3 Welsh Labour MPs have supported the amendment, Steve Witherden for Montgomeryshire, Ruth Jones for Newport West and Henry Tufnell for Mid and South Pembrokeshire.
The Liberal Democrats have criticised the lack of Welsh Labour’s MPs from Swansea and the Gower or Neath signing the amendment despite it saying the region is set to be badly hit.
Welsh Liberal Democrat Swansea Councillor and Senedd candidate for Gŵyr Abertawe Sam Bennett has said that that Swansea’s Labour MPs need to “grow a backbone and stand up for the interests of their constituents”, pointing to evidence they uncovered last month showing that Wales is set to be the worst hit by Labour’s welfare cuts.
In both Swansea and Neath Port Talbot, at least 90% of people claiming the standard rate of Personal Independence Payment for daily living activities are at risk of losing at least some of the payment.
The Liberal Democrats say they have repeatedly criticised the proposed cuts to PIP payments and attempts by those in Labour and the Conservatives to mislead the public into thinking these are unemployment benefits when, in fact, the payment supports many disabled people staying in work.
The Party say they have also highlighted how Torsten Bell, MP for Swansea West and Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Pensions, opposed welfare cuts when he worked for the Resolution Foundation, but is now supporting them as a Government minister.
Welsh Liberal Democrat Swansea Councillor and Senedd Candidate for Gŵyr Abertawe (Gower and Swansea) Sam Bennett said: “Swansea and Neath’s Labour MPs really need to grow a backbone and do what is right for their constituents and for Wales.
“Torsten Bell was happy to oppose welfare cuts when he worked for the Resolution Foundation, but now, when he’s been parachuted into Swansea and in a position to do something, he is silent.
“We all agree that welfare fraud should be tackled, but that’s not what the proposed changes do. Instead, they will cut the support that helps people with daily tasks that many of us would take for granted, such as staying clean or staying safe.
“This support actually helps many disabled people stay in work.
“I think it’s disgraceful that our area is set to be one of the hardest hit, yet none of our Labour MPs are willing to speak out.
“If these cuts go ahead, all it will do is move the financial burden onto local council services and charities, which have already been cut to the bone and are struggling to make ends meet. The Liberal Democrats will continue to oppose these cuts.”
#benefits #DWP #SamBennett #TorstenBell #UKGovernment #WelshLabour #WelshLiberalDemocrats
Row over city waterfront park development
Liberal Democrat councillor and Senedd candidate Sam Bennett has claimed that residents had been promised a park would be delivered in SA1 for the past decade – but despite promises from the Labour-run council that work would be started in the coming year on multiple occasions, every single date has come and passed.
Labour Council leader, Rob Stewart meanwhile has criticised Cllr Bennet’s comments as “pretty disingenuous and misleading”.
Cllr Bennett says that since being elected in 2022 he has met with officers and has been “continuously on the case asking for updates”, most recently meeting with the Cabinet Member where assurances were made that the park would be started in May. Cllr Bennett said that at the end of May no parks have been started.
The Lib Dem Senedd candidate added that When SA1 was developed as part of planning £1million was put aside for 3 new parks in SA1. More than 10 years later, all three locations remain undeveloped and untouched, and are being used as builders compounds.
Cllr Bennett said: “The situations with the Parks in SA1 is simply a disgrace. In the 2022 elections Labour made big fanfare they had the £1million for the parks in an effort to persuade the residents of SA1 to vote for them.
“Three years down the line, and residents still do not have even 1 park. I spoke to one couple who moved to SA1 to raise their young family, and are now disappointed that their children are growing up, and are unlikely to benefit from a new park.”
Fellow Senedd Candidate and Welsh Lib Dem Leader Jane Dodds MS also weighed into the argument saying: “There are very few parks in this area of Swansea, and many people live in flats or town houses without gardens, new parks would create precious outdoor space for residents, and I am joining Cllr Bennett in calling for the Labour Council to get on with delivering these parks.”
Council leader, Rob Stewart has criticised Cllr Bennett’s statements, saying work on two parks in SA1 were well under way and that the Lib Dem councillor had been kept up to date on progress.
The council leader suggested that the Lib Dem’s criticism was part of the start of his Senedd election campaign.
Cllr Rob Stewart said: “As the facts and evidence confirm, he has been kept up to date through out this process, and knew full well that £1m was being invested for new parks in his ward in SA1.
“This is on top of the £8m we have invested to upgrade play areas all across Swansea.
“I’m not sure what Cllr Bennett’s motivation is, perhaps it’s and attempt to kick off his Senedd election campaign, or maybe he thought he was being clever and could look like a miracle worker, by asking for something he knew was already coming.
“I suspect Cllr Bennett will struggle to point to many personal successes from his time as a councillor, or to be able to draw on successes from his Liberal Democrat colleagues when they ran Swansea (metro failure, slip bridge) but trying to cover this by misrepresenting the good work done in good faith by council officers is pretty low!”
Meanwhile Swansea Council have released an update on the progress of the two proposed parks in SA1.
Artist’s impression of the new SA1 parksThe council says that work has started transforming two patches of waste ground in SA1 into what it says will become thriving urban community parks, between them boasting play areas, nature trails, meeting spots, events space and a pump track.
The project is being financed by income from developers known as section 106 funds and will cost in the region of £1m to deliver. The council says that work has already started and planting will take place later in the year, with the parks due to be fully open to the public by early next year.
The larger of the two parks is sited along Langdon Road, at Prince of Wales Dock near The Village Hotel. It’s features will include a community play area, including play equipment for children of all ages, a basketball space and play facilities for children with disabilities; a space for informal play and sports and space for socialising and holding events.
Benches and seating areas along with trees, extensive planting beds, flowering hedgerows and other green spaces to enjoy, promoting wildlife and insect life and providing new habitats also form part of the plans.
The second park will be situated on land between Langdon Road and the corner of Prince of Wales Dock. Its attractions will feature a brand new state-of-the-art pump track, open green space, space for wildflowers, hedgerows and trees and habitat support for insects.
Rob Stewart added: “Amy Dillwyn Park was the first urban park created in Swansea for a century. Now we’re building on its success by creating two more parks in the heart of SA1 that will cater for the whole community.
“These two new green gems will encourage residents, families and young people to get out and about, boost residents’ enjoyment of the place where they live and promote wellbeing.
“The extra green space will also promote nature and biodiversity in the heart of the busy SA1 area and they are the result of public consultation and collaboration from teams across the council.”
He continued: “Since the pandemic we’ve invested £8m in more than 60 new play areas and committed a further £3m towards a new generation of skate and BMX facilities.
“That’s on top of a number of new 3G pitches, £10m for new sports changing spaces and other community improvements and there’s even a new outdoor gym in Trallwn just opened for locals to enjoy.
“These two amazing new parks as well as the Amy Dilwyn Park are vital investments in our communities that will make a difference.”
Plans for the new SA1 parksCouncillor Robert Francis-Davies, Cabinet Member for Investment, Regeneration, Events and Tourism, said: “Part of our innovative approach and commitment to promoting nature and biodiversity sustainability means we are reusing soils excavated from other Swansea sites, including clean silts and soils from the Singleton Boating Lake.
“This extra funding for open space improvements is unprecedented. It’s happening because it’s what the residents of Swansea have told us they want and the feedback we’ve had so far demonstrates people are noticing the difference it makes for them, their families and communities.
“We’re confident that these great new places will be welcomed by residents of SA1 and that locals and visitors alike will work with us to keep the facilities in top shape for years to come.”
#CllrRobStewart #CllrRobertFrancisDavies #featured #Parks #playground #SA1 #SamBennett #Swansea #WelshLabour #WelshLiberalDemocrats
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Swansea Bay Sewage Scandal: Tawe named as one of the most polluted rivers in UK
According to data published today, the River Tawe is one of the most sewage-polluted in the entire UK.
Figures released today show that Dwr Cymru released sewage into rivers, lakes and the sea for more than 968,000 hours last year, an increase compared to more than 916,000 hours the year before, despite the public outrage and campaigns by groups like Surfers Against Sewage.
The River Tawe saw a staggering 2,173 sewage dumps in 2024, lasting 16,144 hours. This made it the 14th most polluted river in the entire UK.
Meanwhile, the River Neath saw sewage dumped 1,351 times, lasting 7,507 hours.
The Welsh Liberal Democrats, who have been campaigning to clean up Welsh rivers over several years, have stated that the new figures were ‘catastrophic’ for local wildlife and risk damaging tourism and public health.
The Party has stated that the Welsh Government have been ‘asleep at the wheel’, using Dwr Cymru’s position as a so-called ‘non-profit’ and ‘arm’s length’ organisation to avoid proper regulation and accountability.
They have also criticised the previous Conservative UK Government for failing to clamp down on the financial regulation of water companies, with Dwr Cymru having paid out huge bonuses to executives in recent years, despite having one of the worst environmental records of all companies and continuing to charge customers the highest bills in the UK.
Commenting, Welsh Liberal Democrat Senedd Candidate for Gwyr Abertawe (Swansea West & Gower) and Swansea Councillor for Waterfront Ward, Sam Bennett said: “The Welsh Liberal Democrats have consistently pressed both the UK and Welsh Governments to take meaningful action on this growing environmental crisis. Yet, Welsh Labour has remained asleep at the wheel—using Dŵr Cymru’s status as an arm’s-length body as an excuse to avoid proper regulation and accountability.
“As a result, we’ve seen Dŵr Cymru hike customer bills and hand out ridiculously large bonuses to its executives, all while ranking among the worst water polluters in the UK.
“Our rivers and seas are vital to our wildlife, our culture, and our economy—particularly tourism—and they deserve far better stewardship.
“If elected to the Senedd next year, I will use my voice to continue to hold both water companies and governments to account.”
Adding her comments, Welsh Lib Dem Leader & Senedd Candidate for Neath Jane Dodds MS said: “For years, the Conservatives allowed water companies to get away with polluting our beautiful local rivers while paying out massive and undeserved bonuses, all while charging Welsh customers record-breaking prices.
“The Welsh Labour Government must get to grips with this crisis and properly regulate Welsh Water and ensure there are real, enforceable punishments for breaking the rules and damaging our waterways.
“We’ve been pushing them for years on this issue, but they’ve totally failed to even start to get to grips with it.
#DwrCymru #featured #JaneDodds #Neath #pollution #RiverNeath #RiverTawe #SamBennett #Swansea #WelshLiberalDemocrats #WelshWater
The Welsh Liberal Democrats have announced that Waterfront councillor Sam Bennett will be their lead Senedd candidate in the Gwyr Abertawe constituency, while Party Leader Jane Dodds will head up the list in the Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd constituency.
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