Welsh First Minister Calls for Suspension of US Radar Project
The UK government should cease collaboration with the United States on a deep space radar station due to former President Donald Trump's perceived "contempt for our country," stated Welsh Labour leader Eluned Morgan.
Eluned Morgan, the First Minister of Wales, has indicated she may provoke a dispute within the Labour Party by urging her Westminster colleagues to "halt" the initiative to install 27 radar dishes at Cawdor Barracks in Brawdy, Pembrokeshire.
The local Labour Member of Parliament expressed concern that Morgan appears reluctant to support the employment opportunities promised by the project.
The radar station site is located within the Ceredigion Penfro constituency, where Morgan is Labour's lead candidate for the Senedd election scheduled for 7 May.
Plaid Cymru has accused Morgan of making a "last ditch attempt" to retain her seat, while Reform UK suggested she is attempting to divert attention from her governmental record.
The Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability (DARC) programme, announced jointly by the UK, US, and Australia in 2023, aims to detect and track objects orbiting Earth.
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) plans to refurbish an airfield at Cawdor Barracks to accommodate the UK's primary contribution to the programme.
This refurbishment would extend the operational life of Cawdor Barracks beyond its initially planned closure date in 2028; however, the project has faced opposition from local campaigners.
First Minister's Statement on US Partnership
In a Facebook video, Morgan stated that the project should be "halted," elaborating:
"The United States under Donald Trump is not the partner it once was.
Talk of targeting civilians, undermining our allies and diminishing the sacrifice of our armed forces is not the conduct of a reliable ally."
She emphasized a "clear difference" between supporting partners and "giving a free pass to a US president who has threatened war crimes and shown contempt for our country."
Morgan advocated for the UK to pause its involvement in the radar project "until we can be confident those partnerships reflect our values and our security interests."
Responses from MOD and Local Officials
The Ministry of Defence has previously stated that DARC "will provide employment and upskilling opportunities within the local community across all sectors."
Henry Tufnell, Labour MP for Mid and South Pembrokeshire, commented:
"I'm concerned that the first minister appears not to want the local jobs and economic growth this project offers.
Our community here in Pembrokeshire has always played a pivotal role in the UK's defence and the DARC project represents the next chapter in our proud heritage.
The UK government is resolute on using defence to keep our country safe and revitalise the industrial heartlands of our United Kingdom."
Opposition and Political Reactions
A spokesperson for opposition leader Kemi Badenoch disagreed with Morgan's position, stating to reporters that Britain "should not be doing anything that is going to have any sort of economic damage to this country, just because we don't like the occupant of the White House."
He added, "We have got to think far more long term."
A Plaid Cymru spokesperson remarked:
"Since becoming first minister, she has chosen to stay quiet on defence and international affairs, only now speaking up after polls show her losing her seat."
Plaid Cymru has consistently opposed the DARC project alongside local communities.
A spokesperson for Reform UK stated it was evident "that Eluned Morgan is focusing on non-devolved issues to distract from her party's appalling record in government with Plaid Cymru."
The Welsh Liberal Democrats, Welsh Greens, and Welsh Conservatives were also approached for comment.
All major parties are expected to contest the Ceredigion Penfro seat in the upcoming election. A full list of candidates is available.
