25/04/2017 BBC Wales Today

Theresa May campaigning in Wales,

in Labour's heartlands, with a plea to support her

or face what she called a coalition of chaos.

You have a real example of Plaid Cymru working with Labour. The sort

of collaboration we would see in Westminster if Jeremy Corbyn and

Leanne Wood had their way in the future. At this community Centre

Theresa May insisted that every single vote would strengthen her

hand in the Brexit talks. Plaid Cymru's leader Leanne Wood

launches her party's She says Labour is too "weak"

to stand up for Wales. Workers at Ford in Bridgend

are to vote on whether to strike amid uncertainty over

the plant's future. The Liverpool drugs gang accused

of a revenge attack on one And who'll take the strain when it

comes to running your local services Theresa May has called on voters

to abandon their tribal loyalty to the Labour Party

as she made her first visit to Wales In a speech to supporters

in the Conservative target seat of Bridgend, she claimed every

single vote would strengthen her Our political editor

Nick Servini was there. Ladies and gentlemen, please give

the warmest of welcomes, the loudest cheers for the Prime Minister of the

United Kingdom. The Conservatives are trying to keep

a lid on their excitement, but the noise and smiles for Theresa May in

Bridgend told their own story. I'm really pleased to be able to be

here in Wales, and to say to Wales, how important Wales is to me,

because Wales is important to our country.

Wales could also become important for the Conservative Party if it

sees a big improvement in its fortunes as was suggested in one

poll last night. Theresa May's visits to Labour consistencies in

Newport and Bridgend is a statement of intent that the party is looking

to grow its current tally of 11 MPs. In a speech to activists she

insisted time and again that every single vote counted, as she looked

on in her hand in breakfast negotiations, which she claimed was

under threat. What we see from other parties is

that they want to undermine the task ahead. They've shown that they are

willing to do anything to disrupt breakfast the gauche Asians and stop

us from leading Britain into the future. -- disrupt the Brexit

negotiations. Remember the polls were wrong in 2015. They were wrong

in the referendum last year. Jeremy Corbyn has said he was a 200 to one

outsider for the leadership in 2015, look where that one went. This was a

message to the party faithful. But there was a wider message as well

for Labour voters to look again at their tribal loyalty to their party.

But, you know, the Tories may think things are going reasonably well,

but this is a huge job, in which many Tory party leaders have failed

to do. There hasn't been a Tory MP and Bridgend since the days of

Margaret Thatcher. We still don't know who their candidate will be.

But what are their chances now? Presents Laughter was just around

the corner giving a speech, do you think the Conservatives can win

Bridgend? I hope so. People really don't want

to be in Europe anymore. I think that will be the thing everything

hinges on in the end. Can the Conservatives winning

Bridgend? Know, Leyburn! All the way. To me there is no Labour Party

anymore. The Conservatives could win here? Possibly. I think I've noticed

a lot of people are turning Tory. She has something people like. She's

a woman, she's a little bit like Margaret Thatcher. Bridgend is the

Assembly seat of the Welsh Labour leader Carwyn Jones, who was asked

about the Tories parking their tanks on labour lawns. It's a stunt, I

suppose, is it? What's important is that people see the Tories for what

they are. Their idea is to say nothing and do something. We want

Labour MPs who will stand up from Wales and not sheep with blue

rosettes. Stunt or not, the Prime Minister went to a steel company in

Newport. These are the early skirmishes of what would be a short

and intense campaign. But the heavy lifting for all the parties is still

to come. We saw Theresa May managing expectations there, but is there a

degree of confidence among conservatives? Conservative

supporters here this afternoon are acutely aware of not looking

complacent. They may struggle to get votes if that is the case. They'll

get hammered for it in the campaign. That said there is a palpable sense

of excitement and enthusiasm for the possibilities that could be in play.

We haven't had a conservative British Prime Minister coming to

this constituency on a visit like this for over 20 years. That tells

its own story. This is not going to be a defensive campaign run by the

Conservatives, they are looking to gain as many seats as they can.

Nothing dramatically new wind terms of content from Theresa May today.

It was interesting that very personal, explicit appeal to give

her a mandate. It was also interesting about this tribal sense

of appeal to Labour voters, particularly any seat like Bridgend,

Tory leaders have done this in the past. The question is whether

Brexit, the problems Labour have got, mean that combination can turn

no-go areas in the past for the parties into areas in which they

could have a serious chance of success on June the 8th.

Nick, in Bridgend, thank you. At the other end of the country

Plaid Cymru's leader was in Bangor to launch her party's

general election campaign. Leanne Wood claimed Theresa May's

Conservatives would damage Wales, and that Labour was too weak

and divided to prevent it. Fresh snow on the mountain

in Plaid Cymru's heartlands. And just across the Menai Strait,

Anglesey, Ynys Mon, And geography is important

to Plaid Cymru at UK general elections they've never really

managed to break out While the official opposition

in Westminster is divided and riddled with infighting,

Plaid Cymru's message in this Brexit, and specifically what type

of Brexit is the backdrop Plaid Cymru's slogan

is 'Defending Wales'. Leanne Wood, the party's

leader insists the party is at risk from the Tories,

they say only they can save it. It's vitally important now that

Wales has strong voices in Westminster to defend our people

and very nation from Why can't Labour do that,

they would be better placed than you, at most you only

have a handful of MPs, don't you? Well, since June we've heard

more talk of Gibraltar than we've heard about Wales,

Labour MPs have failed to stand up for Wales,

failed to put forward the Welsh national interest in this crucial

time in our history. It's down to Plaid Cymru to be

that voice for Wales. They are not able to form

the opposition that is needed now. Plaid Cymru always find UK elections

more difficult to fight Their leader, candidates and party

members will spend the next six weeks telling us

that they are relevant, they can make a difference,

and they will stand up for Wales. To do that they are evoking

the threat of conservatives past as a way of attacking what they see

as a weakening Labour vote now. This is what a Leanne Wood told

the BBC's Daily Politics. People in Wales would do well

to remember the Tory's record. I grew up in the valleys,

in the 1980s, when Margaret Thatcher was Prime Minister and she decimated

the coal industry. It's a direct pitch for disenchanted

Labour voters, they've done that But this election is being fought

in unique circumstances. Workers at the Ford factory

in Bridgend will be balloted for industrial action

amid uncertainty over the plant's future, that's

according to the Unite Union. It was revealed earlier this year

that the plant could be down-sized Caroline Evans is outside the plant

for us this evening. Well, fears surrounding the plant

have been public for some time. The issue facing the hundreds of workers

is this. Ford makes 600,000 engines here, but the contract for those

coming to an end. Going forward the only guaranteed work is for 120,000

engines. So if bad happens, and nowhere comes in event jobs could go

here. The workforce will be reduced to 600 by 20 21. In addition to that

we know from a leaked document that the plant is said to be

underperforming here. Overtime levels are said to be double that of

the plant in Dagenham. That assertion hasn't gone down well with

the unions, as you might expect. They are keen to stress the

workforce here is loyal. They say there is strong resolve amongst

members for some form of industrial action. They will be offered the

choice of strike action or industrial action short of strike

action, and talks will go on with the company. We are not in a

position to take the company on, says Unite. We want to work

together. What have Ford said today? They said this ballot is premature.

They are committed to ongoing discussions with the union and they

want to examine the future opportunities for the plant here at

Bridgend. It looks now as if that ballot is set to go ahead in May and

the results are expected before the end of the month. Keep us posted.

A Rhyl drug dealer was murdered by a rival gang in revenge

for an earlier attack, a court has heard.

Mark Mason was stabbed more than 20 times in a supermarket

Three men from Liverpool deny his murder.

It was early evening on October the 27th when a black BMW followed

Four men began attacking the van's occupants.

48-year-old old father of two Mark Mason was fatally stabbed

over 20 times as he sat in the passenger seat.

Two other men were stabbed in the leg whilst fleeing vehicle.

The jury was told that a man named Jake Melia had already pleaded

guilty to the murder and two counts of wounding.

But that the three men in the dock were also responsible.

31-year-old Anthony Baines, Mark Ennis, whose 30 and 20-year-old

James Davies are alleged to be members of a Liverpool gang

called the Pensarn Crew, supplying heroin and crack

It's claimed they murdered Mark Mason in retaliation

for confronting two of the gang earlier that day wearing a balaclava

and wielding a machete near marine lake in Rhyl.

It alleged Jake Melia and James Davies armed themselves

with kitchen knives, and contacted Anthony Baines

and Mark Ennis who travelled from Liverpool to Rhyl to look

The prosecution say it matters not which defendants

attacked which victims, each bears equal responsibility

for the murder of Mark Mason and the unlawful wounding

The men deny the charges on the case continues.

Martin Richards, BBC Wales Today, Mold Crown Court.

Who'll do the heavy lifting when it comes to your local services

And Arctic winds brought a mixture of sunshine and showers today.

But how long will the cold snap last?

The number of emergency meals handed out by food banks across Wales has

risen by more than 10% in the last year, and in Cardiff

The Trussell Trust, which runs a network of foodbanks says benefit

delays were one cause, but nearly a quarter of recipients

in Cardiff were actually working families on low incomes.

Nick Palit reports. 48-year-old Lee Morgan from Cardiff

is on disability benefits after a car accident nearly 20 years

ago left him with a brain injury and unable to work.

The former welder has outstanding loans, and often

At this food bank at a church Hall in Cardiff volunteers

fill Lee's shopping bags and suitcase with food.

Latest figures show more and more people are becoming reliant on free

Across Wales number of emergency food banks rose from nearly 86,000

a year to more than 95,000, an 11% increase.

Here in the capital, the rise was even higher,

the Trussel trust's Cardiff food banks experienced a 20% rise

in demand for emergency food parcels in the last 12 months alone.

And not all recipients are on benefits.

Here it's estimated that 22% of those who use the food bank

I think a cold winter also has an impact in terms of people needing

There is a lot of hidden hunger, where people don't want

We had a story the other day of a lady who sold her furniture,

because it was just too embarrassing and humiliating.

She actually sold all of her furniture until she thought,

actually, I do need to go and access this place to feed

I've been trying to get loans off the dole, and the dole has

So the only other choice is the food bank.

If the food bank goes from here, then I'd have nothing.

With more and more people accessing food banks the charities need more

donated food if they are to cope with the growing demand

from people like Lee, who increasingly reliant on it

A former Powys primary school teacher has admitted a string

of historical sex offences against young girls.

Swansea Crown Court heard that Gordon Fleming, from Oswestry,

abused two dozen children over a six year period.

He pleaded guilty to 24 counts of indecently sexually assaulting

A lorry carrying chickens has crashed into a river in Mid Wales.

The driver is in a stable condition following the incident,

which took place early this morning between Llandovery and Brecon.

Natural Resources Wales says some of the chickens

A council boss has refused to say if he will honour a vow to repay

compensation won in a libel case to the authority.

Carmarthenshire council funded its chief executive

Mark James in his case over remarks made in a blog written

Mr James said in 2012 he wouldn't keep any of the damages he won.

What could be the future of our culture and leisure services

Councils are turning to volunteers, private companies or charitable

trusts to run them, and they are becoming increasingly

attractive options to Councils facing financial pressures,

Our reporter Aled Scofield has been to Narberth in Pembrokeshire,

where local people are responsible for running the pool

Intel both local people love this wrinkle. That's probably the reason

it's still open. -- in Narbeth. It used to be run by Pembridge Council,

but the people of Narbeth are now responsible for running it. Locals

raised ?200,000 and paid for solar panels to make the pool and more

efficient. But sustaining it is a constant

challenge. It involves a lot of hard work and fundraising by the

committee. Also, the non-committee and the work they do

behind-the-scenes. Grants and keeping the business

flowing. Community ventures can hit choppy waters. In Wrexham Council

executive board had to give the splash magic trust a ?50,000

lifeline last year. Leisure services are discretionary for councils. They

don't have to provide them. Across Wales 11 councils have already

outsourced leisure provision. The question is, could more follow after

me the fourth? There is no doubt local authorities

are more open to looking at different ways of delivering

facilities. The possibility of social enterprises and not for

profit trusts as well as the private sector. There is a greater interest.

It's basically library duties. Taking books out, giving information

to the public, events. It's really beneficial for the community. In

Narbeth locals like Catherine run the library. She thinks other

communities will have to face up to the realities of running their own

services in future. I can see it happening. There's less

money anyway. And I think Narbeth was a good example to people on how

it can be done and how much of a success it can be made. In

Pembrokeshire the council had hoped to outsourced leisure and culture

services to a charitable trust. Plans were rejected earlier this

year after questions were raised about the savings any trust could

deliver. But the support of local people was

also a key factor according to the trade union that Fort plans.

Very, very important services. It's not just trimming and books, they

are community hubs and you can tell by the strong feeling from the

public, we had the public behind is on this campaign.

It was close to their hearts. When you are restrictions are in place in

May some councils face difficult choices when it comes to the future

of leisure and culture services as further austerity could make it an

uphill struggle to sing them. -- sustained them.

Tomorrow we're looking one of the most difficult

issues for our councils, funding social care.

There's more information on the Council Elections

where you live, head to the BBC Wales News website.

Wales have been drawn against England in the Women's

They're joined in Group 1 by Russia, Kazakhstan and Bosnia Herzegovina.

The finals will be held in France in June 2019,

only the group winners are guaranteed a place

England, ranked fourth in the world rankings,

It's an interesting one. They will be some players on the pitch for

England to I have played with and interesting memories of and are

friends with. It will be an interesting challenge for the group

Gareth Bale could be out for up to a month after injuring his calf.

He limped off in the defeat against Barcelona on Sunday.

He's expected to miss Real Madrid's Champions League

semi-final games against Atletico Madrid, but could still be

fit in time for the Champions League final in Cardiff in June.

It's country's biggest road cycling event and, for the first time,

the climax of this year's Tour of Britain will be

Cardiff will host the final stage of the event,

which will start in Worcester, and pass through Monmouthshire

and Newport before finishing in Cardiff in September.

It's the first time, for a number of years, that the Tour of Britain has

finished outside London. This year to finish on the streets of Cardiff.

The final stages special, because it boils down to that final day.

Everything will be leading to Cardiff on September ten. It's going

to be be big for the city. Snow in April in Derek's forecast,

here's the weather. It felt more like winter today

with hail and snow in places. A dusting of snow on the

Snowdonia mountains. This evening a mixed bag of sunshine

and scattered showers. Overnight a few showers

in the west and North West. Gardeners watch out

for a widespread frost. Temperatures in central Wales

falling as low as - 2. Temperatures only a few

degrees above freezing. But on the plus side much

of the country dry and sunny. The air crystal clear

with good visibility. One or two showers in Pembrokeshire,

Gwynedd and Anglesey. During the day clouds will build-up

again with a few showers breaking Parts of the north and

west clear and sunny. Temperatures on the cold side

with a chill in the air but in the sunshine and out

of the wind it will feel OK. In Rhondda Cynon Taf

a sunny morning. Clear and cold with

a widespread frost. After midnight, though,

clouding over with a little rain On Thursday a warm front will move

south across the UK and that will introduce milder air

from the Atlantic. A bright start in the South East,

but soon clouding up Some dry weather as well

and turning less cold. On Friday a few showers about

otherwise a lot of dry weather. Sunshine in places

and a little milder. Temperatures in double figures

but still chilly overnight Sunday more uncertain

but there is a risk of some By the middle of next week signs

of sunnier and warmer weather. And the headlines. The Prime

Minister has asked voters to abandon tribal loyalty to the Labour Party

in a speech in Bridgend. Theresa May said every single vote would

I'll have an update for you here at 8 o'clock and again

That's Wales Today, thank you for watching.

From all of us on the programme good evening.