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Peredur Owen Griffiths, who represents Plaid Cymru, is one of four regional Senedd Members serving the South Wales East region.

It’s not often I start a column in the Observer with an issue that directly affects the paper but following the announcement of a £200,000 investment in local journalism this week, it seems fitting.

Part of the investment involves this newspaper as it will lead on one of three pilot projects designed to support local journalism. This will allow Caerphilly Observer to employ a full-time reporter to cover Senedd business.

This policy was part of the co-operation agreement signed between the Plaid Cymru Senedd group and the Welsh Labour Government. The policy to provide universal free school meals is also part of that agreement which followed a long campaign by Plaid Cymru colleagues.

The reason why an investment in news gathering is vital is to go some way in addressing the democrat deficit that exists in Welsh politics and civic life. Existing news outlets do a sterling job of covering what they can when it comes to Welsh politics but the sad reality is that there are far fewer journalists working in Wales than there used to be.

This means that crucial debates and committee hearings are not reported due to a lack of resources. This in turn means people are not informed, in an accurate and balanced manner, about the crafting of laws that impact upon our daily lives.

When an information vacuum exists, it can be filled by all sorts of bad actors with compelling yet entirely false conspiracy theories that twist facts and turn people against each other, causing division and hate.

That is something I think most people would seek to avoid. I welcome this investment in news and look forward to reading the enhanced coverage of Senedd proceedings that Caerphilly Observer will play a part in delivering. 

Next week, we will mark the 75th anniversary of the NHS. Most people will have a story about how this incredible service came to their aid or the aid of a loved one in their hour of need. I am certainly one of those people. The principle of free health care is now firmly embedded in the public consciousness.

If we are to enjoy the NHS for the next 75 years, we must be prepared to defend it against those who would wish to see it undermined, broken up and sold off to the highest bidders. We must never forget that it is the dedicated staff that make the NHS so special. If the NHS is to survive, staff must be looked after with the terms and conditions they deserve. I hope governments either side of Offa’s Dyke take note.  

Finally, I would like to congratulate Rhun ap Iorwerth MS on becoming the new leader of Plaid Cymru since I wrote my last column. I have worked closely with Rhun since my election to the Senedd and I have been thoroughly impressed with his drive, his work ethic and his communication skills.

It is an honour to take up my new portfolio, covering local government and finance for the party. I am also looking forward to seeing Rhun lay out his vision for how we improve people’s lives in Wales by building up the economy and addressing the high levels of poverty that are present in many parts of our country.