The Welsh Labour Government has made Pembrokeshire a dumping ground with enormous convoys of lorries arriving each day with waste from other parts of Wales. It is unacceptable.
Stephen is a firm supporter of the Armed Forces and is proud of the home that the 14th Signal Regiment have made in the county.
Stephen has been an active supporter of keeping the 14th Signal Regiment in Pembrokeshire and he has been has been working with the Defence Minister to secure a decision to delay the planned closure of Cawdor Barracks. He has secured debates about the future of the Barracks and has personally shown MOD Ministers around the site in Pembrokeshire.
Pembrokeshire is one of the smallest of the UK’s National Parks and is a beautiful place to live and work. The stunning natural environment is a huge draw for tourists over the busy summer months. Looking after our environment is important to the people who live here.
Stephen believes that we must build upon the achievements of COP26 and continue to lead by example, driving positive action to address climate change and decarbonise our economy.
Stephen believes that the latest Health Board plans to remove Accident and Emergency services at Withybush and potentially downgrade it to a cottage hospital is of deep concern. He helped fight Labour’s first attempt to downgrade the hospital in 2005 and has challenged Welsh Labour Ministers in Cardiff about their devastating cuts. Stephen opposed the closure of SCBU and overnight paediatrics and has been an active supporter of the local campaign group. He regularly calls the Hywel Dda Health Board to account over decisions affecting local patients.
Stephen has always argued for more investment in Pembrokeshire’s young people. He worked closely with Haverfordwest Skate Association to get the new skatepark built on time. Over the last 10 years he has helped dozens of local young people make a start in working life through work placements and paid internships. Stephen is passionate about education and is a key voice on local matters.
Pembrokeshire has one of the lowest crime rates in the UK thanks to an excellent team of local police officers, PCSOs and Dyfed Powys’ directly elected Police and Crime Commissioner. Stephen wants it to stay that way.
Stephen has fought for fairer funding for the local police to ensure that they can work effectively across a large rural area. He regularly accompanies the police on Saturday night-shifts to learn more about the challenges facing local police and PCSOs as well as hosting joint surgeries with PSCOs in some of the major towns.
Stephen believes that older people who have worked hard all their lives should have dignity and security in retirement. Conservatives have given the biggest ever cash increase to the state pension, as a result the value of the full basic State Pension is now £2,050 more than it was a decade ago. The State Pension is supported by further measures for older people, which include the provision of free bus passes and free prescriptions.
Stephen is a strong champion of local shops and small business. He wants to see vibrant town centres and believes that more can be done to level the playing field for small shops competing against internet and out-of-town giants. He has called on Welsh Government to act urgently on Business Rates which are crippling town centres.
Helping to build a strong economic future for Pembrokeshire has always been a key priority for Stephen. Unemployment has fallen across the county since 2010 meaning more people are back in work and fewer claiming out-of-work benefits. Conservatives are helping small businesses to grow and take on more staff. Stephen has helped hundreds of local businesses by taking up their issues with local and government agencies.
In 2011 Stephen worked with the local campaign group to challenge the proposed closure of Milford Haven Coastguard Station. He brought the Coastguard Minister to Milford Haven to meet campaigners, councillors and staff at the station to see for himself the impact that the closure would have. This led to the decision being over-turned which saved 23 jobs and a vital local service for the community.
