Columnist Dylan Jones Evans argues that Plaid Cymru is trying to address the right questions. But that does not mean the party’s plan will work

So, to the final assessment of the political parties’ plans for the Welsh economy, and it would be fair to say that Plaid Cymru’s manifesto is the most detailed document produced in this Senedd election.

That does not mean that every proposal within it is convincing, but it is attempting to build a recognisable economic philosophy around a simple question that Welsh politics has avoided: not just how much economic activity takes place in Wales, but who benefits from it, and how much of the value generated here actually stays here.

Plaid argues that Wales has plenty of economic capability, but that too much of its economy remains externally owned, too much profit leaks out, and too much of its policy focuses on managing symptoms rather than building long-term strength. Its answer is a more interventionist and more explicitly development-oriented model, built around more strategic public investment, more active use of procurement, and an institutional framework designed to support business growth in ways that reinforce Welsh communities rather than bypass them.

Read Dylan’s assessments of the Tory manifesto, the Labour manifesto and the Lib Dem and Green manifestos

At the centre of this sits the proposal for a new business-led National Development Agency for Wales that can provide a clearer front door for business support, promote Wales internationally, and coordinate regional economic development in a way that Whitehall-style departmentalism and Cardiff Bay fragmentation have often failed to do. In this respect, Plaid is right to recognise that economic development in Wales has too often lacked institutional clarity and sustained focus, although any new body should not be just another rehash of the Welsh Development Agency, as some have suggested.

Plaid is also right to signal that the Development Bank of Wales needs reform because, despite its rhetoric, there is a growing sense that it is not yet performing to the level Wales needs. If Plaid is serious about creating more indigenous growth, stronger supply chains and better-paid jobs, then a review of the bank has to ask harder questions about whether its products are fit for purpose, whether it is taking enough strategic risk, and whether it is genuinely helping to reshape the structure of the Welsh economy rather than simply supporting activity at the margins.

There is a seriousness to the manifesto’s treatment of procurement. Welsh public bodies spend more than £8 billion each year on goods and services, and Plaid wants a much larger share of that spend retained within Wales, from around 55 per cent to at least 70 per cent. That is not a marginal adjustment but a deliberate attempt to use the public pound to strengthen Welsh firms and build capacity in local supply chains.

One can debate whether the target is achievable and whether it will create as many jobs as claimed, but the underlying instinct is sound, as public procurement in Wales has, for too long, been discussed as an administrative function rather than a strategic economic tool.

The proposal for a comprehensive national skills audit is not particularly glamorous, but employers, colleges, schools and training providers have all complained for years that there is insufficient clarity about future skills demand, too much fragmentation in provision, and too little alignment between policy and labour market needs.

The attempt to connect skills, apprenticeships, vocational routes and economic opportunity is sensible, especially when linked to sectors such as renewables, digital technology, medtech, agritech and the creative industries.

On digital and connectivity, there is support for superfast broadband rollout to the rest of Wales, for the semiconductor cluster in South Wales, for digital innovation, and for more coherent transport planning linked to wider economic development.

With regard to rail, they make the case that Wales has been chronically short-changed, particularly in relation to HS2 and wider infrastructure classifications, but (and excuse the pun) the train has probably left the station on this particular issue, and the UK Government is unlikely to change its mind.

The manifesto is less convincing in its assumptions about what follows from it. At times, Plaid seems to believe that if Wales had the right institutions, stronger tax powers and a fairer funding settlement, a stronger economy would naturally emerge.

Yes, Wales has been held back by weak tools, poor institutional design and a settlement that often leaves it underpowered, but stronger institutions are not, in themselves, a substitute for a stronger economy, nor do they automatically solve the harder questions around export intensity, business scale-up, and commercial competitiveness.

Indeed, focusing on structure rather than strategy is one of the most common mistakes that governments make in their approach to economic development and as I’ve said so many times in the past, entrepreneurship, innovation and productivity must be the beating heart of Wales’s future economic direction.

There is also, inevitably, a degree of political optimism embedded in the document and in proposals such as a Wales Wealth Fund, greater use of pension assets for local investment, and deeper fiscal reform. Each depends on institutional capacity, political leverage and execution that should never be assumed, especially given the weakness of a civil service that has served one party for over a quarter of a century.

Even so, it can be argued that Plaid Cymru has produced a manifesto that seeks to grapple with the drawbacks of the Welsh economy. Whether you agree with it or not, at least it understands that the question is not merely how to attract more activity, but how to build an economy that is more rooted and beneficial to the people who live here.

Of course, that does not answer the question, and there will be much more to do if they form a government, but it could present a serious economic offer that is long overdue, although that may also depend on the person they appoint as the economy minister. Certainly, that individual should be totally committed to developing the massive potential within our private sector here in Wales. If not, as we have seen too many times since the start of devolution, the good intentions in this manifesto may lead to nothing.

The UK’s foreign office has advised against all travel to Mali following the attacks, adding that Bamako International Airport is temporarily closed. Meanwhile, the US Embassy there has told citizens to shelter in place and avoid travel, citing explosions and gunfire around the airport and near Kati.

Why has nothing been done to reopen the Strait of Hormuz?

The answer is simple – as his advisers will have told Donald Trump before he attacked Iran, it is almost impossible to clear a passage through a minefield when the shoreline is held by the enemy, without being prepared to take significant casualties. And this, it seems, the US is not prepared to do.

It is one thing to bomb a less technologically sophisticated enemy from the air, but quite another to get involved in a real fight at sea level with an opponent who has been planning this form of asymmetric warfare for a very long time.

History gives a stark lesson on why America needs to tread warily – a page from the First World War.

It was March 1915. The “straits” concerned were the Dardanelles – the narrow passage linking the Mediterranean to the Black Sea and giving access to Istanbul. The Turks were the defenders, the British and the French the attackers.

They were in the middle of a shooting war. A vital waterway, which would normally be open for the world’s commerce, was closed because of the actions of Turkey, the bordering power. The coastline was heavily defended, and there was a high probability that mines had been laid to block the channel.

A decision was made by the British and French that the straits were to be reopened by force – and a very considerable force was assembled for that purpose.

It comprised no fewer than 14 “capital” ships (in those days “battleships” and “battlecruisers”) supported by escorts and a large force of minesweepers.

The plan was a good one. The capital ships would stand off in clear water and bombard the shore defences. When these had been silenced, the minesweepers would go ahead and sweep another clear area.

The capital ships would then move forward again into swept water and recommence their bombardment – successive waves of big ships moving up, but always into water which had been swept for mines. In this way, the whole channel would be cleared, and the straits reopened.

The big push commenced on 18 March 1915. To start with, it all went well. Four capital ships – HM ships Queen Elizabeth, Agamemnon, Lord Nelson and Inflexible – formed the first attacking line.

The second line was composed of four French ships, Gaulois, Charlemagne, Bouvet and Suffren. They, in turn, were to be supported by six more British ships – HM ships Ocean, Irresistible, Albion, Vengeance, Swiftsure and Majestic – which would form a third line to pass through and relieve the French in line two.

The bombardment was started by the RN ships in line one at 11am. By 12.20pm, the French ships of line two had steamed through the first line to take up their advanced positions.

By 1.45pm, the fire from the shore batteries had slackened under the onslaught of the guns of the eight capital ships, and it was deemed safe enough to send in the minesweepers for the next phase. The third line of six ships was also called up to move the force forward.

However, 15 minutes later, everything started to go wrong. FS Bouvet hit a mine, and in a matter of minutes, she capsized and sank. There were only 75 survivors out of a ship’s company of 718.

The action continued. HMS Irresistible of the third wave was bombarding the forts when she, in turn, struck a mine at 3.14pm. She developed a severe list but continued with the action until she hit another mine, and her main engines were put out of action completely.

An attempt was made to take her in tow, but the situation was hopeless, and the order was given to abandon ship. More than 600 men were taken to safety.

Meanwhile, shortly after 4pm, HMS Inflexible struck a mine. She remained capable of steaming slowly and was ordered to withdraw. However, she had a 30ft x 26ft hole below the waterline and had to be beached to save her from sinking. She was later towed to Malta for repairs and was out of action for three months.

After these disasters, Vice-Admiral John de Robeck, the British admiral in charge of the Allied naval forces during the crucial stages of the campaign, finally decided that the waters which had been considered to be safe and swept of mines were anything but.

Accordingly, at 5.50pm, less than seven hours into the operation, he signalled a “General Recall” to withdraw the ships and return to the safe waters outside the straits.

Fifteen minutes later, at 6.05pm, HMS Ocean struck another mine, developed a major list and was deemed not to be capable of being saved. The ship’s company were taken off and she was left to her fate. Both Irresistible and Ocean later sank.

Fourteen major warships had attempted to force the straits. Within four hours, three of them had been sunk and one had been so badly damaged that she was out of action.

This one day of disaster was the end of trying to take the Dardanelles passage by solely naval means. The attempt was never repeated.

From that day on, the focus shifted to “boots on the ground” to conquer the Turks on land – but as is well known, this likewise failed.

A relatively weak opponent had defeated the combined forces of the two largest navies in the world by its use of asymmetric warfare and, most importantly, by the deployment of mines.

A lesson for our times, Mr President.

John Clark is a former Royal Naval Reserve officer who commanded various minesweepers and minehunters during his service

Heaton Fold Garden Centre will welcome back traders, selling an amazing of array of wares.

Stall owners brave the rain at Heaton Fold Garden Centre Image: VQ

Visitors can pick up handmade goods and home-cooked food while picking up bits and pieces for the garden.

And they can enjoy listening to the stories behind the goods.

Abbie Howard, from Heaton Fold Garden Centre, told The Bolton News: “We have got some of the regular stall holders from last year and we have still time to attract new and different stalls.”

Usually sold at the markets is jewellery, knitted items, cosmetics, pens and other handmade unique finds.

The first of the stallholders to come forward is Magari’s, which have a selection of Sourdough bread and other bakes.

A popular feature is a display from Lancashire Hawks & Owls, which was a“massive hit” last time.

Lancashire Hawks & Owls take in rescued birds of prey like falcons and owls to rehabilitate them.

Stall owners brave the rain at Heaton Fold Garden Centre Image: VQ

Returning to the markets once again is That Silver Touch with jewellery and MadGirl Makes with candles and wax melts.

The market runs from 10am to 3pm, with the last market taking place in December last year.

Artisan market dates are April 26, May 24, June 28, July 26, August 23, September 27, October 25, November 22 and December 13.

In a statement Heaton Fold Garden Centre said: “Come and join us as we welcome back an amazing roster of bakers, do-ers and crafters to celebrate all that Bolton has to offer; a truly talented bunch of people, and with free entry and parking, you wont want to miss it!

“Hot food and drink are available to buy both at the market and at our on-site Cafe. Whether you fancy a cheese and onion pie, or a bacon barm, we’ve got you covered.”

The report to the Housing Services Policy Development and Scrutiny Panel came in response to a composite motion by the full council earlier this year.

A change in the way council rent is collected could be on the way as housing officers tackle growing rent arrears.

Housing officers described a range of early intervention measures they use to help tenants stay in their homes and manage debts at a time when many are facing increasing costs.

However the council has still had to evict 45 tenants in the last year, a move which costs the council £800 a time- £36,000 in the last year- on top of the lost rent.

The report to the Housing Services Policy Development and Scrutiny Panel came in response to a composite motion by the full council earlier this year.

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With the current rent arrears figure sitting at more than £4m across the county, councillors called for action.

Council rents have historically been collected over 48 weeks of the year with two weeks “off” over Christmas and at the end of the financial year in March.

West Lothian currently has 14,367 tenancies with an average rent of £95.42 a week. 864 new tenancies were added in the last year.

Housing officers told the committee changes to rent collection could be made when the new five year collection strategy comes into effect beyond 2027.

The council motion suggested making rent collectible over 52 rather than 48 weeks; “could make payment of rent more affordable for the most vulnerable or who are facing deepening financial pressure.”

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In the meeting Councillor Tony Boyle suggested it would work better because it would align with Universal Credit payments.

A senior housing officer Alison Smith told the meeting the 48 week collection model has been in place “for all the time I have been in post and longer. I think it is something that the council could look at as part of a new strategy.”

She added that regular updates on rent collection would be made to the local area committees as well as the Housing Services PDSP.

Rent collection remains well above 90% across the nine council wards of West Lothian.

Officers outlined early intervention with tenants was key to the collection strategy along with engagement with tenants from the day they take up their tenancy.

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Alongside regular contact with tenants and weekly monitoring of rental income to highlight potential problems housing officers also work with tenants to direct them to agencies such as the council Advice Shops for help with finances and benefits.

Officers stressed that their goal was to keep tenants in their homes. The worst cases which end with eviction come only after tenants refuse to engage with staff or attempt to pay rents.

A housing manager Phyllis McFadden said progress to eviction could take four to five months. She added that there “was no one size fits all solution” and that each eviction case was “ complex and challenging”.

Chair of the committee Councillor George Paul thanked officers for the report and praised the work done by teams across the county to ensure rent collection.

Councillor Paul: “ For me eviction is the last thing I ever want to see,it is a costly process and a time consuming process for officers to get an eviction case to the courts.”

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Councillors across the political divide thanked the housing staff for their work. Councillor Pauline Orr (SNP) said: “I was one of the councillors that brought the composite motion. I just want to thank the officers for bringing the report today. It is very very detailed and very concise. There’s a lot of important information today and I understand the very difficult and challenging circumstances and that it’s not an easy job to do and at times incredibly frustrating and upsetting for officers.”

Conservative councillor Alison Adamson said; “We do appreciate the work you guys are doing. The rent collection that has taken place has always been consistently high.

“That’s why I get so frustrated when I hear comments about housing officers not doing enough to collect rent. This is a very concise, well presented report. Thank you very much for all the work you have done to put this work together.”

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The festival will run at the Crescent Arts Centre from June 4-11

Belfast Book Festival is back with a host of events bringing together the best in poetry, fiction and talks from big names such as Jan Carson and comedian Sara Pascoe.

This is the festival’s 16th year and it is set to run its events at the Crescent Arts Centre once again, from June 4-11. This year sees an ambitious billing of poetry, fiction, workshops and lively discussions.

The literary line-up includes Jan Carson, Andrea Carter, Sara Pascoe, Neil Jordan, Sarah Moss, Neil Hegarty, Doireann Ní Ghríofa, Katriona O’Sullivan, Nussaibah Younis, Patrick Radden Keefe, Martin Doyle, Miriam O’Callaghan, Stephen Daly, Anne Enright, Will Storr, Mícheál McCann, Rónán Hession, Wendy Erskine, Sínead Morrissey, Forrest Issac Jones and many more.

With a spotlight on Belfast, a special event with Belfast-born writer Bernard MacLaverty celebrates his work for page and screen, whilst writers Wendy Erskine and Phil Harrison join photographer Tolu Ogunware to explore contemporary Belfast through fiction and visual storytelling.

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In partnership with The National Year of Reading, four NI YA authors – Jenny Ireland, Stephen Daly, Kelly McCaughrain and Sue Divin celebrate new book releases and a special screening of Nostalgie, Kathryn Ferguson’s award-winning adaptation of Wendy Erskine’s short story set in NI will be supported by a Q&A.

The festival also celebrates the gothic and dystopian with Director of Interview with the Vampire and The Butcher Boy, Neil Jordan discussing his new literary sci-fi novel, The Library of Traumatic Memory, and Jan Carson shares her new dystopic novel Few and Far Between. Carson will also be in conversation with author Henrietta McKervey on her new gothic novel The Woman in the Water, inspired by Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca.

Further programme highlights include comedian and writer, Sara Pascoe and her novel Weirdo, a tragicomic story of a young woman navigating life while battling her inner-monologue. Journalist Aimee Donnellan presents Off the Scales, an inside look at Ozempic and Katriona O’Sullivan discusses Hungry, a raw exploration of hunger, trauma, and women’s collective search for self-acceptance.

Broadcaster Miriam O’Callaghan will reflect upon her life and work via her memoir and Books Editor of The Irish Times

Martin Doyle, gives insight into his many interviews with prominent Irish writers across the years. Journalist and writer, Patrick Radden Keefe will also talk about his newly published book London Falling and author Lucy Caldwell will discuss the evergreen lure and popularity of Irish short fiction with panellists Jan Carson, Paul Delaney and Hedwig Schwal.

Sophie Hayles, CEO of The Crescent Arts Centre and Director of the Belfast Book Festival, said: “We’re excited to welcome everyone at The Crescent for BBF26. This year’s Festival offers a wide variety of literary events, workshops and discussions for all ages and interests. As always, BBF champions a combination of emerging writers, NI talent and international voices – feet firmly and proudly in Belfast, inviting the book world in.”

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The winners of the Mairtín Crawford Awards, (which recognise new writers working towards their first full collection of poetry and short stories) will be announced and emerging wordsmiths can attend workshops and industry sessions offering expert advice on pitching, publishing and how to navigate social media as a new author.

Caoileann Curry-Thompson, Arts Development Officer for Drama and Dance, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, said: “As principal funder, the Arts Council is proud to support The Crescent Arts Centre in staging Northern Ireland’s leading annual literature festival. This Festival caters to all ages and truly shines a light on the extraordinary writing talent we have in Northern Ireland, as well as offering opportunities for those interested in writing and publishing to learn from industry experts.

“The team at The Crescent has curated another terrific programme this year and I would encourage everyone to go along and enjoy this incredible celebration of literature!”

The full Belfast Book Festival programme and event details can be found at: www.belfastbookfestival.com with all tickets available on pay-what-you-decide scale.

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

Aoife is the daughter of Jarlath Tinnelly, an independent councillor on Newry, Mourne and Down District Council.

Mourners at the funeral of 24-year-old nursery worker Aoife Tinnelly have heard how her life was cut “heartbrakenly short” following a road traffic collision on Monday evening.

Emergency services attended the scene after a collision involving a white Audi A1 and a blue Mercedes-Benz on the Newry Road in Kilkeel shortly before 6:30 pm on 20th April. Aoife was sadly pronounced dead at the scene, and two other people were taken to the hospital for treatment.

Aoife is the daughter of Jarlath Tinnelly, an independent councillor on Newry, Mourne and Down District Council.

Addressing those gathered at St Colman’s Church in Massforth, the priest said that “words feel absolutely and completely insufficient and inadequate.”

“A sudden loss, especially one so tragic, leaves us searching for answers that do not come easily and we may ask why. Let me sit with a silence that can feel empty, If not unbearable and yet even here in our sadness and grief, We are not without meaning, nor without hope,” he said.

“But of course, in moments like these, it is so natural to search for meaning, for reasons, for something that might make this dreadful loss feel less difficult and chaotic. But sometimes there are no easy answers that will ever satisfy. Sometimes the most honest thing we can say is that this is deeply undeserved, deeply unfair, and God knows, deeply painful.”

He added: “In Aoife’s 24 years with us, she brought something very special into this world that did not exist before her. Her personality, her warmth, her presence, her way of loving, her way of living, life to the full and her way of being known. Those things do not for a moment disappear in that accident.

“Surely they would remain woven into the lives of everyone Aoife touched, and God knows, she touched so, so many people.

“Aoife’s life, though brief in years in the bigger scheme of things, was definitely not small by any means and a life is not measured only in years, but in love given and received, in laughter shared, in kindness shown and in the imprint left on others. By that measure, thankfully, we all know Aoife lived life to the full.”

Aoife is survived by her parents Brenda and Jarlath and siblings Daire, Odhran and Maisie.

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

A section of the road in Maesteg was closed overnight

A man has died after a crash between a car and a bike in a Welsh town centre during the early hours of the morning.

Emergency services were called to Llynfi Road in Maesteg shortly after midnight on Saturday. The road reopened on Saturday morning after being closed for several hours overnight as police carried out investigation work.

Sadly, police have confirmed that a 21-year-old man died as a result of the collision, which involved one car and one bike. The man was from the village of Cymmer in the Rhondda Valley, but no further details have been announced at this time. Read the biggest stories in Wales first by signing up to our daily newsletter here.

A spokesman for South Wales Police said: “We were called at 12.05am am on Saturday, April 25, to reports of a collision involving a car and a bike on the junction of Llynfi Road and Upper Street in Maesteg.

“As a result of the collision a 21-year-old man from Cymmer has died. Investigations into the collision are ongoing.”

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Riley, 13, was last seen in the Regent Court area of Gateshead town centre at around 3pm on Tuesday, April 21.

However, he has been in touch with his family yesterday (Friday).

Extensive enquiries have been ongoing by Northumbria Police to locate him.

The 13-year-old is known to frequent the Chester-le-Street area of County Durham and the Stockton area of Teesside.

Riley is described as a white boy, 5ft 6in tall and of slim build with mousy brown short hair.

He wears glasses and is believed to be wearing a grey Berghaus jacket, black pants and black trainers.

Anyone who knows where Riley is should send Northumbria Police a direct message on social media or use the live chat and report forms on the force’s website.

For those unable to make contact via the above ways, call 101 and quote reference number: NP-20260421-0796.