Wales rugby great Ken Owens just did something he said would make his grandparents prouder than playing for his nation
Former Welsh rugby star Ken Owens has said speaking at the Welsh Labour conference would have made his grandparents prouder than his playing days.
The retired star, who had been rumoured to be standing as a Senedd candidate for Labour, is not going to stand for election to the Senedd in 2026. He introduced the First Minister, Eluned Morgan as a supporter as she went on stage to speak to party members at the Welsh Labour conference in Llandudno.
Advertisement
Owens, who comes from a longstanding Welsh Labour-supporting family, said he first met Eluned Morgan when he was out leafleting for her bid to the European Parliament when he was seven. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here .
READ MORE: Tonight's rugby news as ex-Wales coach lands top Welsh club job and WRU pause women's game revamp
READ MORE: Lions boss Andy Farrell issues Tomos Williams update after Wales star's injury
"I've achieved a hell of a lot in my rugby career but for my grandparents, I think this would be a 'pinch-me' moment, they'd be even prouder I get to speak at Labour party conference," he said.
Advertisement
"Most of you know me from the rugby field, a few scrums, a few scars, and more than a few hard-fought wins, and for Labour going to be going through a few battles over the next couple of years, and we're in it together.
"Being captain is so much more than leading the team. It's about carrying a nation, I was lucky enough to do that a few times on the rugby field.
"A nation that sings together, that backs its own and believes in community, in graft and will never give up. that's not just rugby, that's Wales, that's Labour.
"That's why I'm here. I was raised in a Labour household, with my grandparents where I first met Eluned. She wouldn't want me to say this but leafleting as a seven-year-old for her campaign to the European election.
Advertisement
"I grew up hearing about fairness, standing up for your community because that's the right thing to do.
"That what Eluned Morgan gets. She's grounded, passionate, driven, she doesn't just talk about Wales but fights for it.
"I've played for great coaches, the best leaders know it's about them, it's about building belief in the team, and that's Eluned, that's what she's doing in Welsh Labour, delivering for people on the things that matter most in their lives.
"As a party we are proud of what we represent," he said.
He said what got his rugby teams through tough times was "trust, teamwork, knowing who you're playing for, not yourself, the cap, the dragon, the people we represent. That's what we have to represent now," he said.
Advertisement
"Let's be honest, the opposition is fighting from the sidelines, but let's be honest, none of them are fit to lead this team," he said.
In return, the First Minister - who arrived on stage to Don't Stop Me Now, by Queen, said she remembered meeting his mum and that his grandad was 'a Labour legend in Carmarthen'.
"I will never forget though – the time when I was canvassing with a lovely woman in Carmarthen and I was telling her with real pride how I couldn't stay for more than an hour's campaigning because my son, who was 12, was going to be playing rugby in the Cardiff Arms Park for his school.
'"Oh,' she asked, 'is he any good at rugby?' 'Well, he's alright,' I said. 'Oh, my son plays rugby too,' 'Oh, is he any good?' I asked...'Well, he's out playing with the Lions at the moment!!' That was Ken's lovely mum."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
25 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Proposed changes to divorce law could end blame game
A consultation on the divorce process has been launched by the Executive that could see changes to the way people legally separate in Northern Ireland. The current law requires couples to either go through a lengthy separation before a divorce is granted, or proceedings can begin straight away if one person is at fault either through desertion, adultery, or unreasonable behaviour. Joan Davis, CEO of counselling service Relate NI, said the current law is "outdated and not in keeping with modern society and how relationships come and go - it's just the reality of life". The biggest issue, she said, is the length of time that a couple must be separated before being able to begin the process. Currently, a couple is unable to apply for a divorce, or in the case of a civil partnership - a dissolution, within the first two years of marriage. Once that time period has been reached, a divorce petition must be based on at least one of five reasons: two years' separation with the consent of the other spouse to divorce five years' separation unreasonable behaviour adultery desertion The same grounds apply for the dissolution of a civil partnership, with the exception of adultery. The most recent figures for Northern Ireland show that the majority of people who filed for divorce in 2023 list separation as the reason. "Why would a legal system and a society want to persecute people more when a relationship is broken down by keeping them tied together and increasing that level of anxiety, adding to an already huge mental health crisis?," Ms Davis told BBC News NI. "Divorce numbers aren't going to change, and if they do change the legislation there's not going to be a rush of people running to the courts for divorce." Ms Davis said blaming one person for the end of the marriage can have a negative impact on the wider family unit. "Is that a good thing for a parent to be doing, you know? So the children then know how bad that other parent is? "If mum or dad has spent so much time explaining how bad they are, and it's all their fault, it's really not good for family life." Finance Minister John O'Dowd said the options being put forward "could reduce the conflict that can arise from divorce or dissolution". "Many marriages and civil partnerships are loving, happy and last a lifetime, but unfortunately some don't and break down for a number of reasons," he said. "This can have a devastating effect on those families, especially where children are involved, and can lead to additional and unnecessary conflict." Clare Curran, Director at Curran Bowles family law, said Northern Ireland's divorce laws are "very antiquated", adding that they should "fall in line with the English system". She said the two systems used to be similar, but after many Stormont collapses Northern Ireland has fallen behind in terms of "modernising the application for divorce process". "It doesn't work. It's slow and arduous, so everybody just gets into this blame game, which is really contentious and actually expensive." Ms Curran said it's about "striking the right balance, making sure that it's not too easy". "You don't want to dilute the meaning of marriage and the importance of the consequence of marriage by making it super easy to be able to dissolve a marriage. "Since the reform in England, it's only been a positive thing. It makes the process easier, more accessible, quicker and cheaper. "So, what's not to like about that?" The alternative options included in the consultation are largely based around how divorce works in the Republic of Ireland, England and Wales. The first is for the current law to remain the same with no change. Second, is the introduction of an administrative, no-fault divorce, similar to what is offered in England Wales. This means that one person can apply for a divorce and does not need to prove a reason why beyond the breakdown of the relationship. Supporters say it allows for a quicker, less contentious divorce with the process typically taking around 6 months. The third option is also a no-fault divorce, but closer to what is in place in the Republic of Ireland. Like option two, this means that no specific reason has to be provided to instigate proceedings, and no-one has to take blame for the end of the marriage. However, it's a lengthier process, as the couple does have to show they have lived apart for at least two out of the three previous years and that there is no possibility of reconciliation. The consultation will run until 26 September. End of blame game in divorce laws
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
'More powers' needed to protect residents during major events
Major events, such as The Open, are putting a spotlight on and "exacerbating" the issue of the housing crisis on the north coast, according to MLA Sian Mulholland. She has called for greater powers for local authorities in "weighing the needs of a tourist economy, while building sustainable local communities". A Sheffield Hallam University report estimates this year's Open event will generate £213m in combined economic and media benefit to Northern Ireland. However, a mother-of-three has told BBC News NI she is facing homelessness after the lease on her rental property wasn't renewed, and believes it is to allow the home to be turned into a holiday rental. The woman, who doesn't want to be identified because of her work, said she and her children are due to leave their Portrush home next week. "There are a lot of local people being kicked out of their houses for the golf because of pure greed," she told BBC News NI. She has been renting the property for five years, but claims she was told her landlord has considered turning it into holiday accommodation. "The golf is only one week long, but there are rumours people are renting out their houses for over £10,000 for the week," the woman said. BBC News NI has seen properties advertised online for up to £81,000 for one week between 14-21 July. "The day that we're going to become homeless is looming closer and closer," she said. "I have this really horrible feeling that what is about to happen is going to deeply traumatise my children and I feel so powerless and helpless in this situation." Demand for housing in the area means she says she's been turned down for every home she's applied for in Portrush, Coleraine, and Ballymoney. "I can give no more. I'm working every day from morning to very late at night. It feels really painful. I'm getting desperate," she added. "I don't want to move around, I want to stay put and settle down in a family home and not move anymore for the sake of my kids and myself." Mulholland said: "The Open and other major events definitely did not cause the housing crisis it's just putting a spotlight and exacerbating the issue particularly around that short term let. "There is a fine balance to be had and that's why my party has called on government at both assembly level, and at local level, to give councils more regulatory powers to be able to cap the amount of short term lets. "We've asked for a ban on no fault evictions, we want to see tenants protected and promote a safe and affordable home for all," she said. Controls have been introduced in some parts of the UK and Europe in an attempt to tackle similar issues and increase housing stock for locals. Rules to prevent new houses in the Yorkshire Dales from being used as holiday homes were recently approved. In Scotland, a Highland-wide control zone to limit Airbnb-style lets has also been proposed. Paddy Gray, professor emeritus of housing at Ulster University, said there will be consequences if the housing issue is ignored in Northern Ireland. "If we continue doing this, it will cause a depopulation of local communities. "It will mean areas that have properties lying empty for a long period of time with very little activity and communities not being able to form properly if young people have to move out. "That's why they [politicians] really have to take stock and do something because this has been going on for a few years now." Communities Minister Gordon Lyons said he is considering all of the options. "It's important that we have a proper evidence base first before we make any decisions," he said. "That's being gathered up as we speak so that we hopefully will have an opportunity to get that information and then take policy decisions on the back of that." Lyons said he recognises there is a problem that needs to be addressed, but said The Open is a "fantastic opportunity". "There will be a huge number of visitors coming to Northern Ireland and to the north coast in particular, that is a good thing." Tourism NI has estimated that golf tourism is worth almost £70m to the economy annually. Calls for rules to curb north coast holiday homes North coast property boom 'pushes locals away'
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
New MP office opens in market town
An MP has opened a new parliamentary office in a market town after it felt "like the right thing to do". Dr Peter Prinsley, Labour MP for Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket, opened the office about a year after being elected. The MP will hold surgeries at his new office in 4 Market Place, in Stowmarket. Dr Prinsley told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "It did feel to me like putting the office in Stowmarket made sense. There had never previously been any parliamentary office here; it felt like the right thing to do." The MP officially opened the office by cutting a red ribbon with the help of his wife, Dr Marian Prinsley, on Friday. "Stowmarket is a really lovely little town, and we are very pleased to be able to be here," he added. The MP and his staff had been using the space for several months but had to delay the opening date until security provisions could be organised. Cliff Waterman, labour councillor and leader at West Suffolk Council, said the opening was great news for Bury St Edmunds. "He's saying 'here I am, come talk to me' and I think that's what an MP should be doing," he added. His office will employ four people regularly, in a mix of part-time and full-time roles, and will eventually offer internships and work experience opportunities. Dr Prinsley said: "I'm usually here at the end of the week – I hope people might spot me, we're definitely open to people coming to see us." Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Local Democracy Reporting Service
