A view from Clwyd South’s Member of Parliament

Wrexham.com has invited Wrexham & Clwyd South constituency Members of Parliament and Members of the Senedd to write a monthly article with updates on their work in Parliament and the Senedd, and closer to home. (You can view an archive here).

Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes writes…

We are unlikely to forget 2020 in a hurry. Last year was a year unlike any other. After first being elected at the General Election in December 2019, I had a few months to get to grips with my role as an MP before the pandemic hit and plunged us into the first lockdown in March. Despite what was an incredibly difficult year, our communities in Clwyd South came together at a critical time to look after our most vulnerable residents. I have been deeply privileged as the MP to meet so many of our community-spirited residents, groups, businesses and organisations over the last year, and thank them for their selfless and generous work. This has, without a doubt, been the highlight of my time so far as MP for Clwyd South.

It’s great news that vulnerable people are now being vaccinated across the UK. As public health is devolved to the Welsh Government, it is the responsibility of Welsh Government Ministers to ensure the smooth roll-out of Coronavirus vaccines. I want to thank all the health staff in Clwyd South who are protecting us during the Covid crisis and the many other frontline workers who are keeping our public services and private businesses going during the lockdown – we are all extremely grateful to you.

Joining Rhos families at “post a letter to Father Christmas” drop-in event

On 12th December 2020, I was pleased to make a socially-distanced visit to the Spar in Rhos, where local children were given the opportunity to post a letter to Father Christmas and were assured of receiving a letter back from the North Pole – a lovely way to bring a smile to children and families’ faces.

On Friday 18th December, I was very pleased to join Helping Hands volunteers at the Oliver Jones Memorial Hall in Dolywern to congratulate them on the 48 Christmas hampers that they had prepared for vulnerable residents living locally.

Praising the Helping Hands group for Christmas hamper deliveries to Ceiriog Valley residents

The Ceiriog Valley volunteers there are a fine example of community spirit in action. And on 27th December 2020, I was very pleased to lend a hand to volunteers at the Pant Ward Community Food Bank along with my daughter Francesca where we helped bag together food for those in need locally. The work of the volunteers there is exceptional, and I was really impressed with the dedication and commitment they have shown.

Praising the exceptional efforts of Pant Ward Community Food Bank volunteers

As a longstanding supporter of Brexit, I was delighted by the announcement of a landmark deal on Christmas Eve. Later, on 30th December I was proud to vote in favour of the deal which will now govern the UK’s trade agreement with the EU. It provides Welsh businesses with exceptional access to the EU’s market and is the first time the EU has ever agreed a zero tariffs, zero quota deal.

In Westminster, I was proud to highlight the vital work carried out by Armed Forces personnel in Clwyd South and across Wales during the Covid-19 pandemic during Defence Questions on 7th December. I think it’s extremely important to pay tribute and offer our deepest gratitude to our Armed Forces personnel for the key role they have played in the fight against this dreadful virus.

I was honoured to be appointed the Conservative Party’s Small Business Ambassador for Wales and, having had a small independent bookshop business before I became an MP, I am greatly looking forward to promoting and supporting small businesses across Wales. It was a great pleasure to chat with Siân Glyn-Jones on Small Business Saturday on about her wonderful shop Courtyard Books in Llangollen which has been a feature of the town for over 30 years. A very big thank you to her and Lesley, who helps her run the shop, for providing such pleasure to book lovers and for helping the Llangollen community through the difficult days of the Covid crisis.

I’ve recently started sending out a monthly e-newsletter so constituents can read more about my activities in Clwyd South and Westminster. If you’d like to start receiving this monthly e-newsletter, you can sign up using the following link: www.simonbaynes.co.uk/sign-simons-e-newsletter.
As Clwyd South’s MP, I am always here to provide advice and support. If you’re a Clwyd South constituent, you can contact me and my team at any time by email on [email protected]. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if there’s anything I can do to help you.

Wrexham.com has invited Wrexham & Clwyd South constituency Members of Parliament and Members of the Senedd to write a monthly article with updates on their work in Parliament and the Senedd, and closer to home. (You can view an archive here).