‘Wales has always been at its very best as a nation looking outward, not inward’

I spoke earlier this month during a Reform UK debate in the Senedd about the Nation of Sanctuary programme.

Reform wants to end all support, including for those Ukrainian women and children who fled to this country for safety, when Putin’s army invaded. That is where the overwhelming majority of funding has gone – helping them become a part of our community.

Reform claims that integration is failing but then they vote against the very policies that helped refugees integrate.

When growing up on a council estate in Penyrheol in the 1950s and 1960s, my street was home to four Polish families, one Italian, one Irish and even a Cockney family, who wore their mother-of-pearl jackets when we had carnivals and get-togethers. We didn’t see that diversity as a threat: it was the fabric of our community.

And In the 1930s Basque children fleeing the Spanish Civil War were welcomed into Abertridwr. My mother told me people fed and clothed them despite not having two ha’pennies to rub together. That’s how we were.

Wales has always been at its very best as a nation looking outward, not inward, a nation that builds up rather than divides, a nation confident to extend that helping hand rather than turn our backs, and I am extremely proud of that.

Engagements

I want to let Caerphilly Observer readers know about the enjoyable mix of engagements locally I’ve been involved in as their Senedd Member.

Earlier this month I attended the Pride Caerffili event. It was a great day out for all concerned and good to see that it reflected the diversity of the borough.

As part of a NFU Cymru event I visited Whitehall Farm in Nelson to walk the farmland and listen to the issues that affect farmers today. Very informative.

It was also a real pleasure to attend a book launch at Hengoed Primary School. The book, called Buster and Tuesday Afternoon, highlights the plight of loneliness amongst the elderly (very topical) and tells the story about a young boy making new friends, and also the help given to a small stray puppy for good measure. I was also very impressed with the pupils’ radio station as well. Fantastic work all round.

I welcomed the children of Machen Primary School to the Senedd for a guided tour and spoke to students from Lewis School Pengam’s politics class. The basis of the visit was mainly a question and answer session and there was lots of interest from the young people concerned for their future. Good inquisitive minds and the students were also prepared to listen.

It was a delight to greet members of Sense Caerphilly following their sponsored walk from Penarth to the Senedd to raise awareness of young people who are both deaf and blind. A very humbling moment.

Congratulations to them for walking in the baking heat and for chatting to me while taking a great break in the shade of the Senedd.