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Delyth Jewell, who is the deputy leader of Plaid Cymru, is one of four regional Senedd Members serving the South Wales East region.

In the Senedd this week, I called for tighter controls on the sale of fireworks after hearing about a horrible incident that took place last Sunday at a park in Hengoed, which has resulted in two young boys being badly injured.

I was so sorry to hear about what happened to those poor boys, and I hope that both they and their families will be OK.

It feels like, every year, we hear about similar terrible accidents happening with fireworks (and it’s always even worse when it involves children), which is why I raised the issue in the chamber of the Senedd with the Welsh Government.

Like many, I feel that it’s time that we bring in greater restrictions on the sale of fireworks. I love going to see the fireworks at the castle, and I think that professional fireworks displays can be beautiful and bring joy to lots of people. But for as long as they’re on sale so readily, I fear that we’ll keep hearing about horrible accidents happening where people get maimed or suffer life-changing injuries. I just think that fireworks are one of those things best left to professionals, so that we can all enjoy their stunning displays safely.

It’s a shame Wales doesn’t have the powers to bring forward these further restrictions, as the powers lie in Westminster. I would like ministers in London, in consultation with emergency services, to bring forward proposals on how we can protect children from fireworks, and I think the only sensible way of doing this will be to restrict their sale to professional companies.

Because I don’t want to see any more children’s lives being changed forever by accidents that could so easily be prevented from happening. My heart goes out to the little boys from Hengoed who were hurt last week, and their families.

The Welsh Government’s minister Lesley Griffiths said she was sorry to hear about the incident, and agreed that most years we do hear about very similar events happening. She said she would find out if there are discussions happening between the Welsh Government and the UK Government in London. Bonfire night is still a month away, and I hope that those conversations can be held urgently.

As well as this, I led a Plaid Cymru debate this week in the Senedd about the state of local bus services and I called on the Welsh Government to provide support so we can get the service we all deserve. If this is something that’s affected you, you’re welcome to get in touch with me: my email address is Delyth.Jewell@Senedd.Wales

Over the weekend I’ll be giving my first speech as deputy Senedd leader in Plaid Cymru’s annual conference in Aberystwyth. My theme will be the need for hope after the dark days of Covid, as well as the impact that’s being felt by all of us by the increasing cost of living and the climate crisis. As always, if there’s anything I can do to help with anything you’re going through, please get in touch.