There was a significant show of support by Plaid Cymru for a campaign against the proposed MoD military radar array ‘DARC’ in Pembrokeshire at the party’s Cardiff conference this month, where it was voted to approve a motion committing to action against the controversial plans.

The PARC campaign calls the Plaid vote against DARC radar a ‘hugely significant moment,’ suggesting it follows months of silence from Welsh Labour and refusals to engage with or meet local residents over the issue.

Campaigners continue to oppose the redevelopment proposed for Cawdor Barracks to host the Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability (DARC) - stating that they are ‘extremely confident’ that public pressure will put a halt to what they called a ‘military monstrosity’.

A spokesperson for PARC said: “The calls for meetings with or even any responses from Welsh Labour, let alone action on DARC, have been going completely unanswered since the start of the campaign in Dewisland.

“Today sends the first clear message that if Labour keeps remaining silent to the calls of over 16,000 people who have signed our local petition, political pressure can and will be escalating this issue into something that is going to have significance county-wide in Pembrokeshire.

Plaid Cymru Senedd Member Mabon ap Gwynfo
Plaid Cymru Senedd Member Mabon ap Gwynfor introduces the PARC Against DARC motion to the conference (Pic supplied)

“Now the campaign has the support of both Plaid Cymru and Wales Green Party as official party policy, with the Lib Dems under pressure to come out against DARC too.

“We expect this to be a pivotal issue in the Senedd elections in 2026 and with the increase in Members of the Senedd going up to 96 MS's as well as the move to proportional representation across the board which could result in a Plaid Cymru, Green and Lib Dem coalition Government in 2026 this could well force Welsh Labour to completely rethink their position on DARC or risk facing massive losses at the ballot box.

“Labour’s near-silence on the issue after the past few months is clearly evasive and unacceptable given the gravity of local opposition here,” continued the PARC spokesperson.

“The campaign against DARC has support across the political spectrum in the Dewisland area and increasingly across Pembrokeshire.

“While we intend to challenge the proposal by every planning and legal means necessary, there is a clear history in our county of the capacity of issues about which there is significant local feeling to create measurable political pressure.

“Today marks a step-up in that pressure and something we intend to bring further into the Senedd.”