Created in the 2023 boundary review, from parts of Ceredigion and Preseli Pembrokeshire.
A new constituency created in the 2023 boundary review.
Ben Lake
Plaid CymruBen Lake is the Plaid Cymru MP for Ceredigion Preseli, and has been an MP continually since 8 June 2017.
MPs voted on whether to allow a Bill to be introduced that would require the government to respond to the Ombudsman's findings on injustice caused to women born in the 1950s by changes to the state pension age, and to create a compensation scheme for those affected. This matters because hundreds of thousands of women received inadequate notice of pension age rises and suffered financial hardship as a result.
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Sign up freeCoverage of Ceredigion Preseli has been mixed for Ben across 40 recent articles.
Won by PC in its first election in 2024. Covers Aberystwyth, Cardigan and Fishguard. Population 89,344, notably older (median age 48 vs 41 nationally). Recorded crime is 42% below the national average. Median income £25K (below average).
Trapped bird of prey filmed at Welsh site and amazed holidaymakers
Daily Post · 9 Apr 2026
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Sign up freeMedian Income▼
£24,600
per year (HMRC 2022-23)
Mean Income▼
£30,300
per year (HMRC 2022-23)
Businesses▼
5,575
VAT/PAYE registered (ONS 2024)
Schools▼
59
0 primary, 0 secondary, 59 other
Total Income Tax▼
£158m
from 43,000 taxpayers
Median Tax▼
£2,210
per taxpayer / year
Mean Tax
£3,670
per taxpayer / year
Source: HMRC Survey of Personal Incomes, tax year 2022-23. Allocated by taxpayer residence. Covers income tax only — excludes NI, VAT, and capital gains. Sample-based estimate (~8% confidence interval).
1 large town, 1 town, 17 villages, rural areas — 93,825 total population
Source: ONS Built-Up Areas (Census 2021) + data.police.uk — crime rates are per 1,000 population (last 3 months)
Source: data.police.uk — street-level crime data aggregated from LSOA to constituency
44 councillors across 41 wards · Last elections: Nov 2023
| Ward | Party | Councillor | Elected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aberaeron Aberarth | Liberal Democrats | Elizabeth Evans | May 2022 |
| Aberporth Y Ferwig | Plaid Cymru - The Party of Wales | Clive Davies | May 2022 |
| Plaid Cymru - The Party of Wales | Gethin Davies | May 2022 | |
| Aberteificardigan Mwldan | Liberal Democrats | Myfanwy Sian Maehrlein | May 2022 |
| Aberteificardigan Teifi | Liberal Democrats | Anne Elaine Evans | May 2022 |
| Aberystwyth Canolcentral | Plaid Cymru - The Party of Wales | Shelley Childs | Nov 2023 |
| Aberystwyth Morfa A Glais | Plaid Cymru - The Party of Wales | Alun John Williams | May 2022 |
| Plaid Cymru - The Party of Wales | Mark Antony Strong | May 2022 | |
| Aberystwyth Rheidol | Plaid Cymru - The Party of Wales | Mark Endaf Edwards | May 2022 |
| Beulah Llangoedmor | Plaid Cymru - The Party of Wales | Amanda Edwards | May 2022 |
| Plaid Cymru - The Party of Wales | Chris James | May 2022 | |
| Boncath Clydau | Independent Berwick Hills Resident | Iwan Stuart Ward | May 2022 |
| Borth | Independent Berwick Hills Resident | Hugh Richard Michael Hughes | May 2022 |
| Bro Gwaun | Independent Berwick Hills Resident | Delme Harries | May 2022 |
| Ceulanamaesmawr | Plaid Cymru - The Party of Wales | Catrin M. S. Davies | May 2022 |
| Ciliau Aeron | Independent Berwick Hills Resident | Marc Davies | May 2022 |
| Crymych Mynachlog Ddu | Independent Berwick Hills Resident | Shon Midway Rees | May 2022 |
| Faenor | Liberal Democrats | John Roberts | May 2022 |
| Goodwick | Labour Party | Nicola Gwynn | May 2022 |
| Lampeter | Plaid Cymru - The Party of Wales | Ann Bowen Morgan | Oct 2022 |
| Llanbadarn Fawr | Plaid Cymru - The Party of Wales | Gareth Davies | May 2022 |
| Llandyfriog | Plaid Cymru - The Party of Wales | James Wyn Reynolds Thomas | May 2017 |
| Llandysul North Troedyraur | Plaid Cymru - The Party of Wales | Thomas Maldwyn Benjamin Lewis | May 2022 |
| Llandysul South | Independent Berwick Hills Resident | Evan John Keith Evans | May 2022 |
| Llanfarian | Liberal Democrats | David Raymond Evans | Jul 2023 |
| Llanfihangel Ystrad | Plaid Cymru - The Party of Wales | Ceris Jones | May 2022 |
| Llangeitho | Independent Berwick Hills Resident | David Rhodri Wyn Evans | May 2017 |
| Llangybi | Plaid Cymru - The Party of Wales | Eryl Evans | May 2022 |
| Llannarth | Plaid Cymru - The Party of Wales | Bryan Gareth Davies | May 2022 |
| Llanrhian | Independent Berwick Hills Resident | Neil David Prior | May 2022 |
| Llanrhystyd | Gwlad | Gwyn Wigley Evans | May 2022 |
| Llansanffraid | Plaid Cymru - The Party of Wales | Keith Henson | May 2022 |
| Llanwenog | Independent Berwick Hills Resident | Euros Davies | May 2022 |
| Lledrod | Independent Berwick Hills Resident | Wyn Evans | May 2022 |
| Maenclochog | Independent Berwick Hills Resident | Simon Mark Wright | May 2022 |
| Melindwr | Plaid Cymru - The Party of Wales | Rhodri Davies | May 2022 |
| New Quay Llanllwchaearn | Plaid Cymru - The Party of Wales | Matthew Vaux | May 2022 |
| Newport Dinas | Independent Berwick Hills Resident | Huw Thomas Murphy | May 2022 |
| Penbryn | Independent Berwick Hills Resident | Emyr Gwyn James | May 2022 |
| St Dogmaels | Independent Berwick Hills Resident | Mike James | May 2017 |
| Tirymynach | Liberal Democrats | Paul Hinge | May 2017 |
| Trefeurig | Plaid Cymru - The Party of Wales | Caryl Roberts | May 2022 |
| Tregaron Ystrad Fflur | Independent Berwick Hills Resident | Ifan Lloyd Davies | May 2022 |
| Ystwyth | Liberal Democrats | Meirion Davies | May 2022 |
Source: DCLEAPIL v1.0 by Jason Leman, LEAP (Andrew Teale) & Democracy Club. CC BY-SA 4.0. Data last refreshed: 1 Apr 2026.
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
✓ Won 2019 GEWon 2017 GE | PC | 21,738 | 47.0% |
Won 2015 GEWon 2010 GE | LD | 6,949 | 15.0% |
| Lab | 5,386 | 11.6% | |
| Ref | 5,374 | 11.6% | |
| Con | 4,763 | 10.3% | |
| Green | 1,864 | 4.0% | |
| WPB | 228 | 0.5% |
Ben Lake has not appeared in national political news coverage tracked by our system. This is common for backbench MPs who focus on constituency-level work rather than national policy debates.
17 articles hidden as not sufficiently relevant to this constituency
A Red Kite became trapped on caravan decking at Morfa Bychan Holiday Park near Aberystwyth due to confusion with glass balustrades; a holidaymaker calmly rescued it. The incident highlights broader concerns about bird collisions with glass structures, though the park itself is thriving due to improved tourism.
St Davids Waste and Recycling Centre in Pembrokeshire is closed until mid-April for improvement works, requiring residents to travel to Manorowen instead. The council is extending Manorowen's opening hours to accommodate the disruption during the temporary closure.
The Ivy Bush pub in Narberth, Pembrokeshire, has been selected as one of three venues to represent Dyfed in the National Pub & Bar Awards 2026, following its second consecutive win in a regional Best Local Pub competition. The pub's success reflects strong community engagement and customer loyalty in the local area.
Welsh councils have received new guidance to improve safety and accessibility of walking, cycling and wheeling for women and girls, developed by Dr Lucy Baker at Aberystwyth University in partnership with Transport for Wales. The resource addresses gender-based safety concerns, harassment in public spaces, and the different mobility patterns of women, providing practical tools for local authorities.
A Stena ferry service from Fishguard to Rosslare has been cancelled due to adverse weather, affecting travellers on the Wales-Ireland route. The cancellations impact the Ceredigion Preseli constituency's key transport infrastructure and cross-border connectivity.
Johnny Morris, a respected local photographer from Fishguard who documented the area for decades through his work with the Western Telegraph and local organizations, has died at age 91. The article celebrates his significant contribution to preserving local history and his positive impact on the community through his photography and storytelling.
Goodwick boxer Mikey O'Sullivan won his first professional fight against Jose Manuel Perez in Cardiff, outpointing his more experienced opponent over four rounds. O'Sullivan, a product of Cardigan ABC and a decorated amateur with a bronze medal from the U19 World Championships, is regarded as one of north Pembrokeshire's brightest boxing talents.
A large metal supermarket sign was blown off a CK's/Nisa store in Fishguard during Storm Dave over the Easter weekend, requiring emergency services to make the area safe. No injuries occurred as the incident happened when no pedestrians or vehicles were nearby.
Oriel Canfas in Cardigan is hosting an exhibition of works by painter Gillian McDonald and sculptor Nicola Beattie, both inspired by Pembrokeshire's ancient stones and landscape. The exhibition is timed to celebrate the return of the Eisteddfod to Cardigan in August 2026, after more than 850 years.
A feature article about Poppit Sands beach near Cardigan, highlighting its Blue Flag award status, accessibility features, family-friendly amenities, and role as the starting point of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path. The article promotes the beach as a major local attraction with good facilities and scenic appeal.
The Wales Restaurant Awards 2026 have been announced with winners across multiple categories. Y Seler in Aberaeron, a traditional Welsh restaurant in Ceredigion, won the title of traditional Welsh restaurant of the year.
Award-winning Red Onion Café from Fishguard is expanding by taking over the Abergwaun Hotel in Fishguard town centre, which closed unexpectedly last August. The team plans to reopen the venue as Abergwaun Bistro and Rooms in May 2026, bringing a second hospitality business to the area while maintaining their original café.
Andrew Phillips, the new High Sheriff of Dyfed, has chosen Wales Air Ambulance as his charity of the year, inspired by his late father's need for the service in 2015. Phillips plans to raise funds through a 130-mile cycling challenge across Wales and aims to highlight the ambulance service's vital work in the region.
A woman was airlifted to hospital by air ambulance following a medical incident in Fishguard, Pembrokeshire on March 29, and remains in critical condition. Emergency services including paramedics, police, and the Wales Air Ambulance attended the scene; police found no suspicious circumstances.
Glen Johnson, a local historian known as the History Man, will present a guide to Victorian-era Cardigan at Mwldan on April 18, featuring rare historical images and anecdotes about the town's past industries, places, and people.
A price comparison article listing the cheapest petrol and diesel stations around Cardigan, a town in Ceredigion Preseli. The article provides consumer guidance on fuel costs at local garages.
Yr Hen Printworks restaurant in Cardigan has won Welsh/British Restaurant of the Year at the Welsh Restaurant Awards 2026 and retained its Michelin Bib Gourmand for the fourth consecutive year. The restaurant, run by owner Chris Welch with head chef Chris Walker, specializes in locally sourced seasonal tapas-style dining and is one of only 138 UK and Irish restaurants to hold this prestigious Michelin distinction.
Fishguard is hosting the Ar Ymyl y Tir/On Land's Edge Festival in September to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the filming of John Huston's Moby Dick in the town, funded by a £44,300 National Lottery Heritage grant. The festival will feature cultural events, maritime heritage discussions, and community engagement activities highlighting the historic filming and local whale conservation.
A Stena ferry experienced a technical issue at Holyhead Port, resulting in cancellations of Dublin-Holyhead sailings. The incident does not affect the Fishguard-Rosslare route, which continues operating under a separate vessel.
A lifestyle feature highlighting 11 Easter family attractions in and around Cardigan, including farms, castles, wildlife centres, and coastal activities across south Ceredigion. The article promotes the region's tourism offerings for families during the Easter holidays.
Dilwyn Davies, CEO of Mwldan arts centre in Cardigan, is retiring in January 2027 after 33 years of transforming the venue into a major cultural institution that reaches over 250,000 people annually. Under his leadership, Mwldan expanded significantly through major investments, added cinema screens, co-produced the Other Voices festival, and became an international touring production venue.
A Cilgerran man was fined £1,100 and given six penalty points after being caught driving at 106mph on the A487 near Fishguard in Pembrokeshire, 46mph over the legal limit. He retained his driving licence despite the serious speeding offence.
Two young boxers from Cardigan ABC—Lilly Jones and Dyfan Lewis—won titles at the Western Division Box Cup finals, with Jones showcasing exceptional power in her victory. The article highlights the local boxing club's recent successes across multiple competitions.
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