Newport & Islwyn Conservatives

06/09/2026

Since becoming Newport’s Council Leader, Cllr Dimitri Batrouni has overseen local council tax rises of 6.7% and 4.9%.

This followed on from previous council tax rises under Newport Labour of 8.5% in 2023 and 8.5% again in 2024.

DIMITRI’S ‘EYE-WATERING’ VIEW

In 2019 - the one year taxes rose by over 5% in Monmouthshire - Cllr Batrouni described it as “eye-watering taxes on hard working residents”.

So when in opposition on Monmouthshire Council, Cllr Batrouni once lobbied for a lower council tax rise.

Yet in his very first budget as Newport’s Council Leader he clobbered residents with a 6.7% council tax rise.

WHY YOU CAN’T TRUST LABOUR
AT ELECTION TIME

Newport Labour have always pulled out the usual ‘party trick’ of imposing lower council tax rises - in an election year.

Before the local council elections in 2017, Newport Labour installed a lower council tax rise of 3.5%.

After the 2017 election? Labour then hit Newport’s residents with council tax rises of 5.95% in 2019 and 6.95% in 2020.

Before the local elections in 2022, Newport’s council tax rise was just 2.4%.

After the 2022 election? Labour hit Newport’s residents with two successive 8.5% council tax rises in both 2023 and 2024.

Will Newport Labour pull the same party trick next year in 2027?

You see. You just can’t trust Labour at election time.

EYE-WATERING COUNCIL TAX RISES

Since Labour retained control of Newport Council in 2022, council tax has risen by a staggering 31.76%.

Newport Labour’s council tax rises have been more than “eye-watering”.

During the last Conservative led Council (2008-2012) we never raised council tax by more than 4% in any one year.

The Newport Conservatives will always fight for lower council tax rises. Not just at election, but every year in office.

04/09/2026

🦷Pleasure to meet with the team at Kensington Court Clinic in Newport to discuss the current state of dentistry

🚨Despite having capacity to treat up to 2,000 children, the new dental contract has capped this to just 720

✍️I've written to the Welsh Government calling for action

04/09/2026

The defence of the nation must be the first duty of government.

03/09/2026

03/09/2026

Labour in Newport = Out of touch

Newport Council criticised over newly resurfaced road 👇🏻

Newport Council are continuing with their planned long overdue roll-out of resurfacing the city’s roads.

However, two local councillors on the East side of Newport are extremely unhappy with the recent work undertaken to resurface a road in Langstone. One councillor described it as “shoddy”.

Bishton and Langstone Conservative Councillor Ray Mogford has said:-

“The Cabinet Member for Assets and Infrastructure Cllr Rhian Howells - visited Langstone last week to highlight recent road resurfacing work undertaken by the council.”

Cllr Mogford continued “Rather than meet with the local councillors who actually represent the ward, Ms Howells simply jumped straight on social media to publish a 17 second political campaign video to tell everyone how wondeful the work is.”

Cllr Mogford added “If Ms Howells had the common courtesy to meet with us, we’d have shown her the shoddy work completed on the Old Roman Road. The photos don’t do it justice, because it’s really bad in places. Local residents are unhappy.“

Similarly, Conservative Councillor William J Routley who also represents the Bishton and Langstone ward, has said:-

“The recent road resurfacing works on the Old Roman Road in Langstone has left small divots and shallow dips in places - in what can only be described as an uneven road.”

“After the cold Winter months, we’ll end up seeing these divots and dips developing into cracks and potholes by the Spring.”

Cllr Routley continued “It must have of cost thousands of pounds to resurface the road. It’s counter productive really. Sadly, it will be the taxpayer picking up the bill when they have to come back out next year and repair the road again.”

The Newport Labour page published the campaign video featuring Cllr Rhian Howells on 27th August. The video drew 59 comments with almost all critical of the Labour group.

Cllr Routley finished “Do the Newport Labour group actually bother read any of the comments posted by the public on their own page? Labour in Newport are completely out-of-touch.”

01/09/2026

CONTINUING: Mims Davies MP remains Shadow Welsh Secretary.

An experienced campaigner and former Minister, Mims will champion Welsh communities and ensure Wales has a strong voice around the Shadow Cabinet table.

30/08/2026

‘Why Newport Labour group supports Old Green roundabout plan’ 👇🏻

The Newport Conservatives firmly oppose the planned changes to the Old Green roundabout.

We oppose Labour and Plaid Crymru’s ‘War on Motorists’.

Why the Newport Labour group support the removal of the Old Green roundabout according to Conservative campaigner Michael Enea.

29/08/2026

What do you think would make Newport city centre safer for businesses?

29/08/2026

Labour in Newport. Out of touch. 👇🏻