A view from Clwyd South’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 their respective Parliaments and closer to home – you can find them all here.
In his monthly column for Wrexham.com, Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes writes:
With Parliament returning from Summer Recess, September has been a particularly busy month. I would like to take this opportunity to outline some highlights of the past few weeks.
I have received numerous complaints in Clwyd South about the introduction of the blanket 20mph speed limit policy by the Welsh Labour government, which has been introduced at vast cost and without proper consultation.
I agree that some areas need 20mph zones, such as near schools and hospitals, but these should be clearly marked and enforced, and this speed limit should not be applied as the default for residential roads.
Due to the number of constituents who have contacted me, I have launched a petition on my website about this policy which can be found at https://www.simonbaynes.co.uk/campaigns/petition-end-welsh-labour-governments-20mph-policy
I am a strong supporter and advocate of our farming community in Clwyd South, who work tirelessly year-round. On Back British Farming Day on 13th September, I was honoured to attend the National Farmers Union (NFU) Reception in the House of Commons to pay tribute to our farmers.
At the Reception I met with two local ambassadors from the NFU: Charlie Cooper-Harding, Student and Young Farmer Ambassador for Wales, and Evie Rogers, NFU Student and Young Farmer’s Ambassador for the West Midlands.
(From left to right) Charlie Cooper-Harding, Student and Young Farmer Ambassador for Wales, Evie Rogers, NFU Student and Young Farmer’s Ambassador for the West Midlands, and Simon Baynes MP at the NFU Back British Farming Day Reception in the House of Commons on Wednesday, 13th September
As your Member of Parliament, I am determined to voice the views of Clwyd South’s horticulture and agriculture communities in the House of Commons.
As such, I recently attended the AGM of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Fruit, Vegetables and Horticulture, during which I was elected as an officer of the Group.
I will continue to work with my colleagues from across the House to ensure that our growers and farmers are well-represented and that their views are heard.
The work of charities in supporting the NHS in cancer care, diagnosis and treatment is essential. Every family has been impacted by cancer and my work in Parliament continues to reflect this immense priority.
On Wednesday 13th September, I attended Macmillan Cancer Support’s event in Parliament. Macmillan have been there for me and my family as I lost both of my parents and my father-in-law to cancer. Macmillan do incredible work, and I am proud to support them.
Simon Baynes MP at the Macmillan Cancer Support event in the House of Commons on Wednesday 13th September
Over my time as the MP for Clwyd South I have had the privilege of visiting many businesses across the constituency. One of the most dynamic of these is the award-winning Magic Dragon Brewery.
On 12th of September, I had the pleasure of meeting with Richard Lever, one of the founders and a director of the brewery, at a meeting of the APPG for Beer in the House of Commons, where we discussed the brewery’s continued success.
From left to right) Richard Lever, a founder and director of the Magic Dragon Brewery, with Simon Baynes MP at the APPG Beer meeting in the House of Commons on Tuesday 12th September.
Clwyd South is home to a large veterans’ community, and I am proud of this government’s work to ensure that those who have served this country are treated with the respect that they have earned.
It was a great pleasure to welcome Cllr Beverley Parry-Jones, Wrexham Council’s Armed Forces Champion, to a Reception held at No 10 Downing Street for local veterans with Veterans’ Minister, Rt Hon Johnny Mercer MP on 12th September.
I am very pleased to have had the opportunity to recognise her excellent work and dedication to the Welsh veterans’ community at No 10 Downing Street.
(From left to right) Simon Baynes MP, Rt Hon Johnny Mercer MP, Minister of State for Veterans’ Affairs, and Cllr Beverley Parry-Jones at the No 10 Downing Street Local Veterans’ Champions Reception on 12th September
In 2019 I was elected on a manifesto which committed to levelling up and I am very pleased to have secured Clwyd South’s £13.3 million grant from the UK government in 2021.
On Tuesday 5th September at Treasury Questions, I asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP, to consider establishing one of the twelve new Investment Zones in the UK to cover Clwyd South, Wrexham, and the wider northeast of Wales to better facilitate the growth of our dynamic and cutting-edge businesses.
In response, the Chancellor noted the excellent businesses located throughout Clwyd South praising the fast-growing Jones Village Bakery and the potential that northeast Wales holds for clean energy.
I am a longstanding supporter and advocate of arts and culture. Since 2020 I am proud to have served on the Speaker’s Advisory Committee on Works of Art.
Sarah Atherton MP and Simon Baynes MP at Treasury Questions on Tuesday 5th September
In this capacity I was honoured to attend the unveiling of Saied Dai’s new portrait of former Prime Minister, Rt Hon Theresa May MP, on Monday 4th September. The magnificent portrait is a testament to her dedication and impressive career.
As your Member of Parliament, my team and I are always here to provide advice and support. For updates on my work in Clwyd South and Westminster, please visit my website www.simonbaynes.co.uk
If you’re a constituent and you wish to contact me with an issue of concern, please don’t hesitate to get in touch on [email protected]
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