Seems we have an increasingly fractured political landscape!?

#ReformUK vs #UKLabour vs #Tories vs #GreenParty vs #LibDems

Swansea councillor warns Welsh pubs risk being ‘left behind’ as business rates row deepens

Welsh Liberal Democrat councillor, Sam Bennett — who represents Swansea’s Waterfront ward and is standing for the Senedd in Gŵyr Abertawe — said ministers must “urgently change course” to stop Welsh venues being placed at a competitive disadvantage.

The row erupted after the UK Chancellor announced extra relief for pubs and music venues in England, cutting an average £1,650 from their bills next year. The support does not apply in Wales, and the Welsh Government has yet to confirm whether it will introduce a similar scheme.

When pressed in the Senedd by Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Jane Dodds, the First Minister declined to commit to matching the English package, saying she needed to examine the details first.

Bennett said that hesitation was already causing alarm among Swansea Bay businesses facing rising costs, staff shortages and falling footfall.

Cllr Sam Bennett said:

“Pubs and hospitality businesses are at the heart of our communities, but too many are being pushed to the brink. Scaling back business rates relief now would be a serious mistake.

Support cannot stop at pubs alone. Cafés, restaurants and other hospitality businesses are facing exactly the same pressures.”

Industry leaders warn Wales is becoming uncompetitive

Concerns over Wales’ business rates system intensified this week after a BBC report highlighted the widening gap between Wales and England.

The broadcaster spoke to Philip Thomas, Wales director of the Society of Independent Brewers, who said his Treforest brewery would pay no business rates at all if it were located just across the border in Somerset.

Thomas warned that the disparity was “impacting on our ability to compete”, with English rivals — who pay nothing — selling beer into Welsh pubs.

His comments echo growing frustration across the sector as new valuations and the end of pandemic‑era relief push bills sharply higher from April.

Analysis by UK Hospitality shows the sector’s business rates bill in Wales is set to rise from £83.1m this year to £135.7m by 2028‑29.

Political pressure grows — even within Labour

The political tension deepened after Gower MP Tonia Antoniazzi, who chairs Westminster’s All‑Party Parliamentary Beer Group, publicly welcomed the Chancellor’s decision to cut business rates for English pubs.

She said she had been “pushing for pubs to get a fairer deal” and thanked the Chancellor for listening — but made no reference to Wales, where pubs will not receive the same support unless the Welsh Government chooses to replicate it.

Welsh Government: ‘More to say soon’

A Welsh Government spokesperson said ministers were finalising plans for additional support and would announce details soon.

They insisted that almost half of Welsh pubs already receive Small Business Rates Relief, and more than a quarter pay no rates at all.

But Bennett said Swansea Bay businesses cannot wait much longer for clarity.

Cllr Sam Bennett said:

“Without urgent action, we risk losing viable, well‑loved businesses that communities in Swansea Bay simply cannot afford to lose.”

Leaking Government secrets to a foreign tax avoiding Paedophile?

I should hope that is illegal!

#PeterMandelson #EdDavey #Labour #LibDems #UKPOL #UKPOLITICS #JeffreyEpstein #ClanOfPaedophiles #Treason #Espionage

"Too many in #Labour, #Tories, and now #ReformUK, see their ward or constituency as a place _from which_ to do something. They want to be an MP or a Minister or a council leader. #LibDems see the area they represent as a place _in which_ to do things."

#UKPol

https://richardkemp.wordpress.com/2026/01/26/labour-was-right-to-block-burnhams-bid-to-become-an-mp/

Dear fuck, to get a Lib Dem to swear!!!

Yeah, Trump's really down it this time.
"Good work Agent Krasnov, here's a terrified 14 year old for you to rape!"

#Trump #ClanOfPaedophiles #AgentKrasnov #LibDems #UKPOL #UKPOLITICS #UKMilitary #EpsteinFiles

You can get Nigel Farage to say something similar by just paying him £75 on Cameo....

#Afghanistan #NIgelFarage #Farage #KemiBadenoch #EdDavey #Tories #LibDems #UKPOL #UKPOLITICS #Grifter