Samuel Kurtz, Senedd Member for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire, highlights the challenges faced in Wales and the optimism for 2026 in his New Year message...

“As each new year begins, there is often talk of it being a catalyst for change. A new health routine, a new job, or perhaps even a new home. Politically, however, 2026 does mark a year of real change for us here in Wales. Before looking ahead to that change, it is important to reflect honestly on the year just gone, and on what 2025 has meant for our communities.

For many families and businesses across Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and beyond, 2025 has not been an easy year. The final bank in south Pembrokeshire closed its doors, prompting my community campaign for a local banking hub to ensure face to face services remain available for residents in Pembroke Dock, Pembroke, surrounding villages, and further afield.

Access to basic services like banking matters, particularly in rural areas, and it is an issue I will continue to press.

We have also seen unemployment rise, alongside increases in taxes and business rates. Too many local businesses have been forced to close. While some new enterprises have opened, the balance has too often gone the wrong way. This has had a real impact on our high streets and on families who rely on local jobs and services.

Rural communities have faced their own pressures. Farm protests over proposed changes to inheritance tax reflected deep concern about the future of family farms. While it was welcome to see long overdue changes announced just before Christmas, the uncertainty experienced by farming families throughout the year should not be underestimated.

At the same time, we have continued to fight for better access to healthcare, from GP and dental appointments through to hospital care, issues that remain a constant concern for many constituents.

Yet 2025 has not been without its positives. There has been important and sustained championing of the Haven Waterway and the industries that depend upon it, underlining its strategic and economic importance not just locally, but nationally.

My campaign for improved road safety along the A477 has continued, following success at the Nash Fingerpost junction. Work has now been carried out at the Red Roses junction, and speed surveys have been committed to at Milton.

Long overdue investment into Tenby Railway Station has also been welcomed, with work currently underway.

We have also seen communities come together to support local causes, protect vital services, and stand up for what matters to them. These efforts often go unrecognised, but they make a real difference.

The resilience of our communities never ceases to amaze me. In our corner of Wales, there are hard working people putting their shoulder to the wheel every day. There are community minded individuals going the extra mile for causes close to their hearts, and a quiet determination to leave a better future for the next generation than the one we inherited. That spirit is something worth protecting and nurturing.

It is for these reasons that serving as a Member of the Senedd has been such an honour. Every piece of casework, every email, phone call, or conversation on the street carries with it a responsibility to listen and to act. Being Pembrokeshire born and bred, I never forget who I am working for, or the trust that has been placed in me.

Having spent much of my youth playing sport, rugby, football and cricket, I learned early that success is rarely about individual glory. It comes from showing up consistently, being dependable, working as part of a team, and treating both teammates and opponents with respect.

“Those same values guide me as a Member of the Senedd. Representing people properly means being present, being accessible, and being willing to do the hard work, often away from the spotlight, because that is how trust is earned.

Looking to the future, there are reasons for cautious optimism. While challenges remain, the year ahead offers an opportunity to learn from experience and to focus on practical solutions that reflect the realities of life in our communities. I remain determined to continue working hard on behalf of constituents, engaging constructively, showing up, and making the case for better outcomes for west Wales.

And to return to where I began, with change, in May 2026, voters will take part in the Senedd election, and I will be standing as a Welsh Conservative candidate for the new Ceredigion Penfro seat, which encompasses the whole of Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire. I am delighted to be standing alongside my good friend Paul Davies MS. With six seats to be elected in our area, both Paul and I are working hard to earn the confidence of voters once again and to continue representing you.

Change also means an expanded Senedd, 96 members rather than the 60 we currently have, and a new voting system. While I do not agree with these changes, they are happening, and we must put our best foot forward.

Over the coming months, we look forward to spending even more time out on the doorstep, speaking directly with residents about the issues that matter most to them. You elect us, and it is your trust that allows us to represent you. That trust is never taken for granted.

I hope that the Christmas period has allowed you time to relax, reflect, and enjoy being with family and friends. As we turn a new page on a new calendar, I wish everyone across our communities a happy, healthy, and prosperous new year.”