Northern Ireland First Minister Faces Scrutiny Over China Engagement, Not US President Meetings
Northern Ireland's First Minister faces questions about meeting with China, while her decision to skip US President events causes no issues. Learn why.
#NorthernIreland, #China, #USPolitics, #Diplomacy, #FirstMinister
https://newsletter.tf/northern-ireland-china-us-meetings-2024/
Northern Ireland's First Minister Michelle O'Neill is facing questions about her department meeting with China. Some people are asking why she meets with China but not the US President. She says her reasons are the same as last year.
#NorthernIreland, #China, #USPolitics, #Diplomacy, #FirstMinister
https://newsletter.tf/northern-ireland-china-us-meetings-2024/
Wales’ bus overhaul becomes law as Swansea region first in line for 2027 shake‑up
Wales’ new Bus Services Act has now received Royal Assent, giving ministers sweeping powers to take back control of local bus networks after years of cuts, collapsing operators and shrinking timetables. The Welsh Government says the change marks the start of a complete rebuild of how buses operate across the country — and Southwest Wales will be the first to feel it.
The law was formally sealed in Cardiff by First Minister Eluned Morgan, who said the move sends a clear signal that the days of unreliable, patchwork bus services are numbered.
First Minister Eluned Morgan said:
“This is a historic day for public transport in Wales – it sends out a clear message that we are committed to improving the bus system and delivering better, more reliable services for the people of Wales.”
First Minister Eluned Morgan stands on the step of a Transport for Wales bus holding the Bus Services Act after it received Royal Assent.Swansea region becomes the testing ground
The first rollout in 2027 will cover Swansea, Neath Port Talbot, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire — an area that has seen repeated route cuts, operator collapses and emergency funding packages just to keep buses on the road.
Under the new system, the public sector will take charge of designing the entire network. Instead of operators deciding which routes they want to run, Transport for Wales will set the timetables, fares and connections, and companies will bid for contracts to operate them.
It’s a complete reversal of the deregulated model that has shaped Welsh buses since the 1980s — and one the Welsh Government argues is essential to stop communities being “cut off”.
Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales, Ken Skates, said:
“Today marks a major milestone for bus services in Wales. It’s the beginning of a new era… These changes won’t be seen overnight, it’s going to take time, but we are working closely with the industry and local authorities to plan and deliver bus services to meet the needs of passengers today and for generations to come.”
Close‑up of the Bus Services Act document signed into law by the Welsh Government.What franchising actually means for passengers
For decades, bus companies have been free to pick and choose the routes they run. If a service wasn’t profitable, it disappeared — leaving councils scrambling to plug the gaps with dwindling budgets.
Franchising flips that on its head.
Instead of operators calling the shots, Transport for Wales will design a single, joined‑up network, deciding where buses go, how often they run and how they connect with trains. Operators will then compete for contracts to run those routes — similar to the system used in London.
The Welsh Government says this will mean clearer timetables, simpler routes and a network that actually works together, rather than a patchwork of competing companies.
For passengers, the promise is straightforward: more reliable buses, better connections and a system designed around public need, not commercial priorities.
Why the change was needed
The bus network in Wales has been in crisis for years. Operators have folded, routes have vanished and councils have repeatedly warned that entire communities risk losing their only public transport link.
Swansea Bay News has reported extensively on the turmoil — from emergency funding packages to operators collapsing and councils warning that cuts could leave people stranded.
The Welsh Government says the new law is the only way to rebuild a stable, reliable network that doesn’t fall apart every time a company pulls out or a subsidy ends.
A Welsh Government spokesperson said:
“We will use local knowledge to design and plan services that put the voice of the passenger at the heart of their local bus network.”
What happens next
Transport for Wales will now work with councils, unions, operators and the public to design the new franchised network for Southwest Wales ahead of the 2027 launch.
Early proposals published last year showed plans for simpler routes, better interchange points and more direct links between key towns, hospitals and employment sites.
The Welsh Government insists the direction of travel is now set — and that the Swansea region will lead the way in proving whether franchising can finally fix Wales’ broken bus system.
Related stories from Swansea Bay News
Major changes proposed to bus network ahead of 2027 reforms
Early plans revealed how franchising could reshape routes across Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Carmarthenshire.
Tower Transit acquires South Wales Transport ahead of Welsh bus franchising
A major operator shake‑up as the industry prepares for the new franchised model.
Swansea MS meets First Bus to discuss future of city’s transport network
Politicians and operators clash over reliability, funding and the future of local routes.
Council leader speaks out on bus funding changes as services cut and operators fold
Councils warn communities risk being left isolated without urgent reform.
Bus services in Wales get last‑minute reprieve as minister announces new £46m fund
Emergency cash injected to stop routes disappearing before franchising arrives.
Leaked letter shows council leader concerned Welsh Government bus funding cuts will cut off communities
Internal warnings reveal the scale of the crisis facing Wales’ bus network.
£48m gap funding support package for Welsh bus industry
Operators given temporary support as the sector struggles to stay afloat.
Councillors back bold plan to explore Swansea Valley tram‑train link
Ambitious transport ideas emerge as Wales looks to rebuild its public transport future.
Join us for our Parliament Live from Holyrood Budget Special with Kathryn Nutt in the studio as Shona Robison announces the Scottish Government’s budget for 2026/27.
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Join us for First Minister’s Questions live from the Scottish Parliament in Holyrood, starting with General Questions to Ministers and followed by First Minister’s Questions.
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Join us for First Minister’s Questions live from the Scottish Parliament in Holyrood, starting with General Questions to Ministers and followed by First Minister’s Questions.
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First Minister Eluned Morgan tops Labour’s Senedd candidate list for Ceredigion Penfro
Under Labour’s rules, incumbent Members of the Senedd are automatically placed at the top of their constituency lists. Morgan has represented Mid and West Wales on the regional list since 2016 and became First Minister in 2024, having previously served as Health Minister and International Relations Minister.
Just two of Labour’s candidates on the Ceredigion Penfro list have direct links to the area. Marc Tierney, Morgan’s current office manager, is a county councillor for Narberth Urban and Cabinet Member for Young People, Communities and the Wellbeing of Future Generations. Joshua Phillips, a local activist, chairs Welsh Labour’s Solva & St Davids Branch, is vice chair of Solva Community Council, and is founder of the Edge Festival as well as director of Solva Gin.
Other names on the list include Margaret Greenaway, Swansea‑based President of The Open University Students’ Association; Tansaim Hussain‑Gul, a Cardiff‑born British Gas worker and trade union activist; Luke Davies‑Jones, a chartered accountant and Unite union member born in Swansea and now living in Cardiff; and Peter Huw Jenkins, a county councillor for Llandaff on Cardiff City Council.
Labour’s candidate list for Ceredigion Penfro
Eluned Morgan
First Minister of Wales and incumbent MS, automatically placed at the top of Labour’s slate.
Marc Tierney
County councillor for Narberth Urban, Cabinet Member for Young People, Communities and Wellbeing of Future Generations, and Morgan’s current office manager.
Joshua Phillips
Local activist, chair of Welsh Labour’s Solva & St Davids Branch, vice chair of Solva Community Council, founder of the Edge Festival and director of Solva Gin.
Margaret Greenaway
Swansea-based President of The Open University Students’ Association (OUSA).
Tansaim Hussain-Gul
Cardiff-born British Gas worker and trade union activist.
Luke Davies-Jones
Chartered accountant and Unite union member, born in Swansea and living in Cardiff.
Peter Huw Jenkins
County councillor for Llandaff on Cardiff City Council.
New constituency and projections
Ceredigion Penfro is one of the new multi‑member constituencies created under Senedd reforms, combining parts of Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire. Each of the new constituencies will elect six Members of the Senedd using proportional representation, replacing the old mix of constituency and regional seats.
Polling averages suggest Labour could secure around two seats in Ceredigion Penfro, with Plaid Cymru expected to perform strongly in the area and Reform UK also polling competitively. That would give Labour a foothold in a constituency where Plaid has historically dominated, but where Pembrokeshire’s Labour vote could now play a bigger role under the new boundaries.
Related stories from Swansea Bay News
Sarah Murphy tops Labour’s Senedd candidate list for Pen‑y‑Bont Bro Morgannwg
Labour confirms Sarah Murphy will head the slate in the new Pen‑y‑Bont Bro Morgannwg constituency.
Ammanford deputy mayor tops Labour’s Senedd list for Carmarthenshire
Labour names Ammanford deputy mayor as lead candidate for Carmarthenshire under new Senedd boundaries.
BAME and union activist tops Labour’s Senedd list for Neath, Swansea East and Brecon
Labour selects a BAME trade union activist to lead its candidate list in Neath, Swansea East and Brecon.
Swansea council leader ranked second on Labour’s Senedd candidate list for Gwyr Abertawe
Swansea Council leader placed second on Labour’s candidate list for the new Gwyr Abertawe constituency.
Reform UK pulls ahead as Plaid slips and Labour edges back in new Senedd poll
Latest polling shows Reform UK gaining ground as Plaid falls back and Labour edges forward.
Plaid’s big win in Caerphilly reshapes the Senedd debate
Plaid Cymru’s victory in Caerphilly reshapes the political debate ahead of the next Senedd election.
#candidates #ceredigion #ceredigionPenfro #elunedMorgan #elunedMorganMs #firstMinister #labour #pembrokeshire #senedd #seneddElection #seneddElections2026 #welshLabour
Join us for First Minister’s Questions live from the Scottish Parliament in Holyrood, starting with General Questions to Ministers and followed by First Minister’s Questions.
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Join us for First Minister’s Questions live from the Scottish Parliament in Holyrood, starting with General Questions to Ministers and followed by First Minister’s Questions.
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Join us for Parliament Live from Holyrood with a Scottish Government Debate on Supporting Scotland’s Fishing Industry.
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