A view from Wrexham’s Member of Parliament

Wrexham.com has invited Wrexham & Clwyd South Members of Parliament and Assembly Members to write a monthly article with updates on their work in Parliament and the Senedd, and closer to home – you can find them all here. This feature has been interrupted due to the pandemic but is restarting.

Today, Wrexham’s MP Sarah Atherton writes…

The coronavirus outbreak has disrupted our lives in ways that we have not seen for generations.

We find ourselves having to stay home to help slow and prevent the spread of this invisible killer. For many, that means working from home, seeing friends and family via facetime and zoom rather than meeting face to face, and cancelling of upcoming events.

It has also had a profound effect on the way in which parliament operates. Last month the speaker of the House of Commons passed a motion to allow MPs to participate virtually in proceedings of the House for the first time in the 700-year history of the House of Commons. As I am writing this column, I am due to vote electronically for the first time this afternoon.

For the first time ever, MPs are able to ask questions ‘in the chamber’ and participate in committee inquiries from home using ‘zoom’.

Last week I asked my first ‘virtual’ question in the house on incentivising smaller legal firms to take up pro bono work during the coronavirus outbreak.

We should incentivise smaller legal firms to take on pro bono work during the #COVID19 crisis pic.twitter.com/lexKbmjxdE

— Sarah Atherton MP #StayHomeSaveLives (@AthertonNWales) April 29, 2020

I along with my colleagues have been meeting regularly via ‘zoom’, I met with The Secretary of State for International trade, Liz Truss, to discuss the future of trading in Wales post coronavirus. Additionally, I have had multiple calls with the Defence Select Committee as part of our inquiry into the security of the UK’s 5G network.

https://twitter.com/AthertonNWales/status/1255404124776120326?s=20

I continue to work collaboratively with my welsh colleagues to ensure that Welsh residents are afforded the same opportunities as their counterparts over the boarder in England. Last week my colleagues and I wrote to the Welsh Government urging them to take rapid action to ensure that covid-19 testing availability in Wales matches that of the rest of the UK.

We must develop additional testing sites across #Wales to ensure that the people of Wales are not let down in our fight against this pandemic https://t.co/8p2UKa08Rm

— Sarah Atherton MP #StayHomeSaveLives (@AthertonNWales) April 30, 2020

I have been holding advice surgeries via skype and zoom and I continue to highlight with both the Welsh and UK Government issues being raised with me by Wrexham residents, workers and businesses.

https://twitter.com/AthertonNWales/status/1253635550503931905?s=20

Locally, there has been a tremendous sense of community spirit. Businesses, such as Moneypenny, have offered their digital switchboard services free of charge to help companies cover their reception teams who are struggling with staff sickness and don’t have the technology to work remotely. Ysgol Clywedog has been transformed into a 3D printing hub, with a team of volunteers working 24/7 overseeing the operation, to produce face shields for frontline NHS staff and care workers.

https://twitter.com/AthertonNWales/status/1251251923040325632?s=20

I couldn’t end this article without paying thanks to all of the keyworkers who have been working tirelessly over the past few weeks; delivering vital food and medicine supplies; caring for us when we’re ill; and keeping our country moving forwards.

https://twitter.com/AthertonNWales/status/1255524889966018563?s=20

I’d also like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Prime Minister and his fiancé on the birth of their son, it is nice to receive some good news during these trying times.

If you need my assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact me on the details below:
Phone: 020 7217 4885 | 01978 291742
Email: [email protected]
Post: House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA

https://twitter.com/AthertonNWales/status/1251135894603644930?s=20

Wrexham.com has invited Wrexham & Clwyd South Members of Parliament and Assembly Members to write a monthly article with updates on their work in Parliament and the Senedd, and closer to home – you can find them all here.