Wales’ First Minister Vaughan Gething has hit the election campaign trial to sunny Tenby.

With a July 4 date announced for the General Election, confirmed candidates for the Mid and South Pembrokeshire seat are: Alistair Cameron (Welsh Liberal Democrat), Stephen Crabb (Conservatives), Stuart Marchant (Reform UK), James Purchase (Green Party), Cris Tomos (Plaid Cymru), and Henry Tufnell (Labour).

Vaughan Gething Henry Tufnell
Vaughan Gething and Mid and South Pembrokeshire Labour candidate Henry Tufnell enjoying an ice cream in Tudor Square (Vaughan Gething/Facebook)

The First Minister visited the seaside town of Tenby on Saturday, June 1 along with Welsh Labour candidate Henry Tufnell.

“A pleasure to enjoy an afternoon on the campaign trail in sunny Tenby,” Mr Gething posted on his Facebook page

“If you want a change in Westminster, it’s seats like Mid and South Pembrokeshire that will make it happen,” he added.

However, he may have had a ‘warm welcome’ (mainly due to the hot weather!) in a town that relies heavily on the tourist industry, but in light of the Labour Welsh Government last week roundly rejecting Conservative calls to ditch plans for a tourism tax, many responding to his post on Facebook, offered anything but welcoming comments.

“Tenby businesses need tourism. Jobs depend on them. Welsh Labour have done everything in their power to destroy the tourist industry in Wales. Why would anybody in Tenby welcome Vaughan Gething? Why would anybody in tourist dependent Wales vote Labour?” posted one person in response on Facebook.

Vaughan Gething in Tenby
Vaughan Gething and Henry Tufnell make their way through a busy Tenby town centre on Saturday (Vaughan Gething/Facebook)

“Gething is a hypocrite, happy to tax hospitality to the hilt, then go and ask the hospitality industry to vote for him!” wrote another.

When Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced last month that a general Election would be held in July, on launching his campaign, Mr Tufnell said that the election presented an opportunity for the people of Mid and South Pembrokeshire to have their say.

“They can choose between more of the same of the last fourteen years: scandal, sleaze, economic mismanagement and falling living standards, or a changed Labour Party that will deliver for them,” he remarked.

“I want a fresh start for Mid and South Pembrokeshire, to be a strong voice to stand up for residents and to work hard for them. With a UK Labour Government working hand in hand with our Welsh Government, the people of Pembrokeshire will be better off.”

There are a number of key dates for voters to make sure that your vote counts.

Most important is ensuring that you are registered to vote. This must be done before midnight on Tuesday, June 18.

Vaughan Gething in sunny Tenby
Wales' First Minister enjoying a refreshment on Sergeants Lane (Vaughan Gething/Facebook)

Photographic ID is required to vote in person but if you do not have one of the accepted ID forms you have until Wednesday, June 26 to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate.

If you would rather send a postal vote the deadline for applying is 5pm Wednesday, June 19 and if a proxy vote is required you must apply by 5pm Wednesday, June 26.

It is anticipated that postal vote packs will be dispatched from June 19 but if you have applied close to the deadline your postal vote will not be dispatched until after June 25.