Nia Griffith, Labour 15,916
Myfanwy Davies, Plaid Cymru 11,215
Christopher Salmon, Conservative 5,381
Myrddin Edwards, Liberal Democrat 3,902
Andrew Marshall, UK Independence Party 1,047
Having had a full week to catch up on my sleep, I thought I'd better share some thoughts on the Llanelli election result with you.
I am delighted to say that the result represents a 4% swing to Plaid from Labour. We achieved the highest ever vote for Plaid in any general election and our share of the vote increased by just under 3.5%. Well done all!
These successes are particularly striking given the exceptionally difficult nature of the election for Plaid across Wales and in Llanelli. Turnout was unusually high at nearly 70%, likely to be due in part to the televised debates that of course excluded Plaid. It is also probable that turnout among traditional Labour supporters was higher due to last-minute scaremongering from Labour politicians including Llanelli’s incumbent MP to vote Labour to keep the Tories out. False assertions that Plaid would form a coalition with the Tories undoubtedly cowed some voters into remaining with Labour.
Plaid’s canvassing returns were unusually strong during the last weeks of the campaign suggesting that a majority of people in Llanelli want to vote Plaid. It seems that this time they felt, faced with the increasing threat of a Conservative administration, that voting Labour was a necessary evil.
It is sad to reflect that despite these convenient local appeals to keep the Tories out, this week Labour then chose to pass on the keys to number 10 to the Tories rather than pursue talks with Plaid and the SNP to spare our communities the worst of the cuts. Locally, leaflets accusing Plaid of wanting to support slash and burn cuts in a Conservative budget will leave a bitter taste in the mouths of voters who have been abandoned to those same cuts by a Labour party keen to pursue its own electoral advantage in opposition.
Of course, we would have liked to have done better and it would have been an honour for me to stand up for Llanelli during what are going to be very tough years but I am very pleased with the result. It shows us gaining ground in the most difficult possible of circumstances. The result provides us with a solid base for the growth of Plaid in Llanelli. The campaign has also allowed us to develop an excellent base of talented and committed activists to help us fight the elections of 2011 and 2012.
Finally, I’d like to thank everyone who has helped and supported me over the past two-and-a-half years of the campaign. I am immensely proud of the work that has been achieved, by members and supporters many of whom were new to politics who wanted to stand together for a better Llanelli. Thanks also to everyone who has sent me messages since the election and yes, I want to continue to be useful in any way I can to help Llanelli and communities like ours across Wales to stand up for ourselves and for each other.
If this election teaches us anything, it is that nobody else will do that for us.
Ymlaen Llanelli!!
Showing posts with label llanelli. Show all posts
Showing posts with label llanelli. Show all posts
Friday, 14 May 2010
Sunday, 4 April 2010
Dafydd Wigley: Myfanwy can win back Llanelli’s missing millions
Plaid Honorary President Dafydd Wigley was in Llanelli yesterday to set out how electing Dr. Myfanwy Davies as the town’s MP, Llanelli’s communities would have the best chance of gaining the millions owed to them by the London Government.
For many years Plaid has been campaigning for Wales to receive its fair share of support from Westminster. During the past year two independent Inquiries have found that Wales is severly underfunded. Over 10 years, Llanelli’s communities should be £240 million richer.
With most polls now predicting a hung Parliament, and Plaid and the SNP expected to gain their largest ever number of seats, the group would be in a key position to negotiate on a fair deal for Llanelli.
Mr Wigley met local councillors and community leaders at La Caprice café bar and spoke to traders in Llanelli market about steps to draw people into the town centre.
Mr Wigley said:
"With all the polls pointing to a hung parliament, this election brings back memories for me. I was much younger and less hard-headed than Myfanwy, when we last had a hung parliament and I was part of Plaid’s negotiating team”.
“Back then, we won compensation from the Government for miners who had become disabled because of dust in their lungs”.
“This time, with a much larger group and with tough, experienced negotiators like Myfanwy, we will be asking for fair funding for Wales at the price of our support to the next Government on issues like the budget.”
“It is high time Llanelli got a fair deal from London and high time to send an MP to London who will put Llanelli’s needs first.”
Myfanwy added:
“On the same day that the Labour party brought back Tony Blair, that most discredited of British politicians to boost their flagging fortunes, I’ve been very pleased to welcome Dafydd Wigley to Llanelli”.
“If there is anyone who can show how Welsh communities can benefit from a Plaid MP, it is Dafydd”.
“Now we are looking forward to a hung parliament, I want to be able to fight for the support Llanelli needs and that has been denied us for so many years”.
“Whatever they may say this close to an election, both major parties plan cuts. Just by getting fair funding, we could protect our schools, hospitals and care homes and help our local economy grow”.
For many years Plaid has been campaigning for Wales to receive its fair share of support from Westminster. During the past year two independent Inquiries have found that Wales is severly underfunded. Over 10 years, Llanelli’s communities should be £240 million richer.
With most polls now predicting a hung Parliament, and Plaid and the SNP expected to gain their largest ever number of seats, the group would be in a key position to negotiate on a fair deal for Llanelli.
Mr Wigley met local councillors and community leaders at La Caprice café bar and spoke to traders in Llanelli market about steps to draw people into the town centre.
Mr Wigley said:
"With all the polls pointing to a hung parliament, this election brings back memories for me. I was much younger and less hard-headed than Myfanwy, when we last had a hung parliament and I was part of Plaid’s negotiating team”.
“Back then, we won compensation from the Government for miners who had become disabled because of dust in their lungs”.
“This time, with a much larger group and with tough, experienced negotiators like Myfanwy, we will be asking for fair funding for Wales at the price of our support to the next Government on issues like the budget.”
“It is high time Llanelli got a fair deal from London and high time to send an MP to London who will put Llanelli’s needs first.”
Myfanwy added:
“On the same day that the Labour party brought back Tony Blair, that most discredited of British politicians to boost their flagging fortunes, I’ve been very pleased to welcome Dafydd Wigley to Llanelli”.
“If there is anyone who can show how Welsh communities can benefit from a Plaid MP, it is Dafydd”.
“Now we are looking forward to a hung parliament, I want to be able to fight for the support Llanelli needs and that has been denied us for so many years”.
“Whatever they may say this close to an election, both major parties plan cuts. Just by getting fair funding, we could protect our schools, hospitals and care homes and help our local economy grow”.
Monday, 22 February 2010
Myfanwy and Helen Mary push for long-term solutions to flooding in Westminster and Cardiff
Plaid’s prospective parliamentary candidate for Llanelli, Myfanwy Davies and local AM Helen Mary Jones have been pushing for long term solutions to flooding problems in Llanelli. Residents often suffer flooding because the sewage system does not have the capacity to drain extra rain water during severe weather.
At a meeting on the 17th of November, Helen Mary and Myfanwy met with Senior Operational Managers from Welsh Water and were told that at that time, the company had plans to invest up to £6 million pounds in building new storm water drains in Llanelli. The new plans would increase drainage during and after heavy rain. Later that month, on the 26th of November, Ofwat published price limits that would appear to have had some impact on these plans and on the 14th January, Dwr Cymru publicly released a figure of £2.7 million for investment in the storm water drainage programme in Llanelli.
Welsh Water is a not-for-profit company and as such all its profits are used to maintain infrastructure and prevent floods. While cost-savings can be made through efficiencies, there are serious concerns about the effect of the regulator’s decision on these crucial plans for Llanelli.
Myfanwy contacted Elfyn Llwyd MP, leader of the Plaid Cymru Parliamentary Group to ask him to raise the issue with the Secretary of State for Wales Peter Hain. Mr Llwyd asked the Secretary of State if he agreed that Dwr Cymru/Welsh Water should be allowed to invest in infrastructure such as the flood prevention work that had been planned for Llanelli but that appears to have been adversely effected by Ofwat’s decision on what represents value for money.
Llanelli’s Labour MP Nia Griffiths who was present at the time, did not make any comment on the discussion.
Myfanwy said: “I am very pleased that Mr. Llwyd was able to respond so quickly to our concerns. Flooding is a terrible event and is happening more and more often across Llanelli.
I fully welcome Welsh Water’s current plans for investment in Llanelli. Nearly £3 million of investment in our storm drains will make a difference and I hope that sum can be increased. There are concerns about the possible effect of Ofwat’s decision on the larger programme of investment that was previously described to Helen Mary and myself. We are very happy to discuss the exact figures with managers at Welsh Water/Dwr Cymru who are surprisingly reticent about that discussion now. We are of course, sensitive to their need to avoid conflict with Ofwat.
Our aim here, is to make sure that Llanelli gets the investment it needs and it can’t be right that Welsh Water is being judged in the same way as a company run by shareholders because as a not-for-profit company, it has to use income from customers to maintain and improve drains such as those we need so badly in Llanelli.
It looks very much as if we are being denied work to prevent floods based on a regulator that is judging a different kind of company.
Working with Helen Mary and the Plaid Parliamentary group I hope we can sort out this mess to prevent flooding here and across Wales”
Helen Mary said: “The first step has now been taken towards allowing Welsh Water to invest in Llanelli as was described to Myfanwy and myself before Christmas. I sat on the committee that established Welsh Water as a not-for-profit company and so I am delighted that we are finally making progress towards letting it invest properly in Wales and managing it according to what it is meant to do – which is to develop and maintain good services in the long-term”.
Elfyn Llwyd said: “Flooding is a major concern in Llanelli and I know that Myfanwy has been supporting local residents in dealing with issues such as insurance and flood protection and has also been involved in more long term local solutions. When Myfanwy contacted me to discuss what appear to be significantly reduced plans by Welsh Water to deal with storm water drainage, it was clear that we would need to act in Parliament to make sure that scheme and many like it across Wales are funded.
Given the seriousness of flooding in Llanelli and the obvious need to look at how Welsh Water is regulated, I am surprised that Llanelli’s MP did not raise this issue herself.”
At a meeting on the 17th of November, Helen Mary and Myfanwy met with Senior Operational Managers from Welsh Water and were told that at that time, the company had plans to invest up to £6 million pounds in building new storm water drains in Llanelli. The new plans would increase drainage during and after heavy rain. Later that month, on the 26th of November, Ofwat published price limits that would appear to have had some impact on these plans and on the 14th January, Dwr Cymru publicly released a figure of £2.7 million for investment in the storm water drainage programme in Llanelli.
Welsh Water is a not-for-profit company and as such all its profits are used to maintain infrastructure and prevent floods. While cost-savings can be made through efficiencies, there are serious concerns about the effect of the regulator’s decision on these crucial plans for Llanelli.
Myfanwy contacted Elfyn Llwyd MP, leader of the Plaid Cymru Parliamentary Group to ask him to raise the issue with the Secretary of State for Wales Peter Hain. Mr Llwyd asked the Secretary of State if he agreed that Dwr Cymru/Welsh Water should be allowed to invest in infrastructure such as the flood prevention work that had been planned for Llanelli but that appears to have been adversely effected by Ofwat’s decision on what represents value for money.
Llanelli’s Labour MP Nia Griffiths who was present at the time, did not make any comment on the discussion.
Myfanwy said: “I am very pleased that Mr. Llwyd was able to respond so quickly to our concerns. Flooding is a terrible event and is happening more and more often across Llanelli.
I fully welcome Welsh Water’s current plans for investment in Llanelli. Nearly £3 million of investment in our storm drains will make a difference and I hope that sum can be increased. There are concerns about the possible effect of Ofwat’s decision on the larger programme of investment that was previously described to Helen Mary and myself. We are very happy to discuss the exact figures with managers at Welsh Water/Dwr Cymru who are surprisingly reticent about that discussion now. We are of course, sensitive to their need to avoid conflict with Ofwat.
Our aim here, is to make sure that Llanelli gets the investment it needs and it can’t be right that Welsh Water is being judged in the same way as a company run by shareholders because as a not-for-profit company, it has to use income from customers to maintain and improve drains such as those we need so badly in Llanelli.
It looks very much as if we are being denied work to prevent floods based on a regulator that is judging a different kind of company.
Working with Helen Mary and the Plaid Parliamentary group I hope we can sort out this mess to prevent flooding here and across Wales”
Helen Mary said: “The first step has now been taken towards allowing Welsh Water to invest in Llanelli as was described to Myfanwy and myself before Christmas. I sat on the committee that established Welsh Water as a not-for-profit company and so I am delighted that we are finally making progress towards letting it invest properly in Wales and managing it according to what it is meant to do – which is to develop and maintain good services in the long-term”.
Elfyn Llwyd said: “Flooding is a major concern in Llanelli and I know that Myfanwy has been supporting local residents in dealing with issues such as insurance and flood protection and has also been involved in more long term local solutions. When Myfanwy contacted me to discuss what appear to be significantly reduced plans by Welsh Water to deal with storm water drainage, it was clear that we would need to act in Parliament to make sure that scheme and many like it across Wales are funded.
Given the seriousness of flooding in Llanelli and the obvious need to look at how Welsh Water is regulated, I am surprised that Llanelli’s MP did not raise this issue herself.”
Wednesday, 20 January 2010
Plaid slams Lib-Dem policy that would cut Llanelli’s Westminster seat
Local AM Helen Mary Jones and Plaid’s Parliamentary Candidate for Llanelli Myfanwy Davies have attacked the Liberal Democrat’s plans to stop Llanelli from being represented in Westminster.
The Lib Dems' amendment to the Constitutional Reform and Governance Bill, due to be debated next week in the House of Commons, has given a revealing indication of the Lib Dem’s distorted priorities.
Ms Jones said that MPs' powers should be transferred to Wales before their number is cut.
The Lib Dems’ plans would threaten Welsh representation in Westminster, and would leave Llanelli without a voice in London.
Plaid’s Helen Mary Jones said:
"These plans show how the Lib Dems are trying to weaken Welsh voices at Westminster. Their proposals show that there would only be 4 MP’s to represent the West Wales, meaning that Llanelli would lose out. People need to understand that Llanelli has it own needs, and therefore needs it own voice.
“We need an MP to represent Llanelli in Westminster – a Plaid MP who will stand up and more importantly, stay loyal to the local community.”
Myfanwy Davies added:
“If the number of Welsh MPs are reduced now, who will be standing up for Welsh interests in London when key decisions are taken, and more importantly who will be standing up for Llanelli?
Once the National Assembly has fuller control over Welsh affairs, then there will be a better case to look at the number of MPs we have. Until then, cutting the number of Welsh MPs will only weaken our voice at that level, especially in somewhere like Llanelli.
Llanelli is a strong and close-knit community. I know that people would be up in arms about this. Llanelli's voice clearly isn't understood by Lib Dems."
The Lib Dems' amendment to the Constitutional Reform and Governance Bill, due to be debated next week in the House of Commons, has given a revealing indication of the Lib Dem’s distorted priorities.
Ms Jones said that MPs' powers should be transferred to Wales before their number is cut.
The Lib Dems’ plans would threaten Welsh representation in Westminster, and would leave Llanelli without a voice in London.
Plaid’s Helen Mary Jones said:
"These plans show how the Lib Dems are trying to weaken Welsh voices at Westminster. Their proposals show that there would only be 4 MP’s to represent the West Wales, meaning that Llanelli would lose out. People need to understand that Llanelli has it own needs, and therefore needs it own voice.
“We need an MP to represent Llanelli in Westminster – a Plaid MP who will stand up and more importantly, stay loyal to the local community.”
Myfanwy Davies added:
“If the number of Welsh MPs are reduced now, who will be standing up for Welsh interests in London when key decisions are taken, and more importantly who will be standing up for Llanelli?
Once the National Assembly has fuller control over Welsh affairs, then there will be a better case to look at the number of MPs we have. Until then, cutting the number of Welsh MPs will only weaken our voice at that level, especially in somewhere like Llanelli.
Llanelli is a strong and close-knit community. I know that people would be up in arms about this. Llanelli's voice clearly isn't understood by Lib Dems."
Tuesday, 27 October 2009
Myfanwy to introduce world-famous Wolfe Tones tomorrow in Llanelli
Ireland’s world-famous folk band, the Wolfe Tones will be playing a special concert with our own Dafydd Iwan at Llanelli's Calsonic Club tomorrow (28th). Myfanwy will be introducing the bands. Myfanwy said: " Wolfe Tone is a national hero in Ireland who had the vision to understand that a nation's future rests in the hands of ordinary people. The songs of the Wolfe Tones and Dafydd Iwan celebrate how ordinary people can build a more secure future. As we in Llanelli look forward to the year ahead - the challenges of fighting for jobs and protecting fairness as well as the historic opportunity of the next election - this is a very relevant message to us. I'm delighted I will be at Calsonic to enjoy the evening and am grateful to the organisers for asking me to be involved".
Thursday, 22 October 2009
Llanelly House gets £2m funding boost
The £6m project to restore Llanelly House has been given a £2m funding boost from the Plaid driven Welsh government. Llanelli Plaid’s Helen Mary Jones AM and Myfanwy Davies welcomed the news which they said would be a huge boost to the project.
Llanelli Plaid AM Helen Mary Jones said:
"The £2m funding announced today will be a huge boost to the restoration of Llanelly House. Plaid in government recognises the importance of supporting local, cultural community assets and as one of Llanelli’s most historic properties, Llanelly House is fully deserving of this support. This welcome funding boost is further proof that Plaid Cymru is committed to delivering for Llanelli."
Plaid's Llanelli Westminster Candidate, Myfanwy Davies, said:
"I am delighted that the Plaid driven One Wales government has delivered this huge investment for Llanelli. Too often, people talk our town centre down, and yet we have so much to be proud of. Llanelly House is a hidden jewel that dates back to the origins of the town and is important to all of us. Once it is restored, it will bring visitors and shoppers in to see just how much our town has to offer.”"
Llanelli Plaid AM Helen Mary Jones said:
"The £2m funding announced today will be a huge boost to the restoration of Llanelly House. Plaid in government recognises the importance of supporting local, cultural community assets and as one of Llanelli’s most historic properties, Llanelly House is fully deserving of this support. This welcome funding boost is further proof that Plaid Cymru is committed to delivering for Llanelli."
Plaid's Llanelli Westminster Candidate, Myfanwy Davies, said:
"I am delighted that the Plaid driven One Wales government has delivered this huge investment for Llanelli. Too often, people talk our town centre down, and yet we have so much to be proud of. Llanelly House is a hidden jewel that dates back to the origins of the town and is important to all of us. Once it is restored, it will bring visitors and shoppers in to see just how much our town has to offer.”"
Monday, 12 October 2009
Stop the cuts in our schools and hospitals say Myfanwy, Helen Mary and Plaid Council leaders
Dr Myfanwy Davies, Plaid's Llanelli candidate for Westminster has revealed that independent research for the Holtham Commission shows the London government may deny Llanelli £227m needed over the next 10 years.
Myfanwy said:
"I have always known that Wales' funding is unfair. But astonishing research into the UK Government's own figures shows that over the next ten years we will lose over £220 million pounds - money that our communities in Llanelli need so badly.
We are fed up with London Labour cutting Wales' funding to pay for city bankers' bonuses. And these cuts are going to be deep despite the Welsh Government doing all it can. Cardiff just can't go on using its own reserves for ever and ever. So next year the cuts may be even more severe.
We say enough is enough! We are not here just to buy off Mandleson's millionaire friends. Hands off our schools and hospitals. "
She added,
" These cuts come despite the independent Holtham commission saying that Wales' funding should not be touched until we get the money we need to provide vital public services. But Wales is getting less from Westminster because of all the money that London Labour has paid to bail out the bankers in the City.
And ominously, the Tory Party says it will cut Wales' money in exactly the same way as London Labour."
Myfanwy and the leader of Plaid's County Councillor group are calling on London Labour to listen to all the independent advice and stop the cuts until Wales gets fair funding.
Cllr. Peter Hughes Griffiths, Leader of the Plaid Group on the county council said:
"As local councillors we support Myfanwy's call all the way. It is so unfair that the Westminster Labour government is cutting back so drastically on Welsh finances. Remember this when the general election comes along!"
Llanelli AM Helen Mary Jones added:
"The Welsh government has managed to cushion the blow of savage funding cuts this year by using reserves. But it will not be able to do this every year. The London parties need to commit to taking immediate action to ensure that Welsh communities get the funding they need, the money which is their right.
In the meantime they must call a halt to any proposed further cuts in the Welsh budget, to allow the Welsh government to invest in our communities for the good of all the people of Wales."
DIWEDD / ENDS
Notes for editor
The independent Holtham Commission has stated that the cumulative under-funding of Wales over the next decade will mean we could lose out to the tune of £8.5bn.
That means an underfunding of £2,900 for every person in Wales.
So with a population of 78,300 in Llanelli, this could mean a loss of an estimated £227m for the constituency - unless action is taken to change the now thoroughly discredited Barnett Formula
Myfanwy said:
"I have always known that Wales' funding is unfair. But astonishing research into the UK Government's own figures shows that over the next ten years we will lose over £220 million pounds - money that our communities in Llanelli need so badly.
We are fed up with London Labour cutting Wales' funding to pay for city bankers' bonuses. And these cuts are going to be deep despite the Welsh Government doing all it can. Cardiff just can't go on using its own reserves for ever and ever. So next year the cuts may be even more severe.
We say enough is enough! We are not here just to buy off Mandleson's millionaire friends. Hands off our schools and hospitals. "
She added,
" These cuts come despite the independent Holtham commission saying that Wales' funding should not be touched until we get the money we need to provide vital public services. But Wales is getting less from Westminster because of all the money that London Labour has paid to bail out the bankers in the City.
And ominously, the Tory Party says it will cut Wales' money in exactly the same way as London Labour."
Myfanwy and the leader of Plaid's County Councillor group are calling on London Labour to listen to all the independent advice and stop the cuts until Wales gets fair funding.
Cllr. Peter Hughes Griffiths, Leader of the Plaid Group on the county council said:
"As local councillors we support Myfanwy's call all the way. It is so unfair that the Westminster Labour government is cutting back so drastically on Welsh finances. Remember this when the general election comes along!"
Llanelli AM Helen Mary Jones added:
"The Welsh government has managed to cushion the blow of savage funding cuts this year by using reserves. But it will not be able to do this every year. The London parties need to commit to taking immediate action to ensure that Welsh communities get the funding they need, the money which is their right.
In the meantime they must call a halt to any proposed further cuts in the Welsh budget, to allow the Welsh government to invest in our communities for the good of all the people of Wales."
DIWEDD / ENDS
Notes for editor
The independent Holtham Commission has stated that the cumulative under-funding of Wales over the next decade will mean we could lose out to the tune of £8.5bn.
That means an underfunding of £2,900 for every person in Wales.
So with a population of 78,300 in Llanelli, this could mean a loss of an estimated £227m for the constituency - unless action is taken to change the now thoroughly discredited Barnett Formula
Sunday, 27 September 2009
Helen Mary and Myfanwy enjoy World Biggest Coffee Morning with Macmillan
Last Friday (25/0), local AM Helen Mary Jones and Myfanwy Davies showed their support for Macmillan Cancer support by visiting a coffee morning in Lakefield School, Llanelli. They joined pupils, parents and teachers as part of Macmillan’s World Biggest Coffee Morning.
The World’s Biggest Coffee Morning is Macmillan Cancer Support’s biggest and best known annual fund raiser. It has a simple yet compelling objective: share a cup of coffee and raise funds for the fight against cancer. These funds provide practical, medical, emotional and financial support for better cancer care.
Last year, thousands of coffee mornings were held all over Wales, raising nearly £290,000. This money helped Macmillan continue to support services and professionals working to help people affected by cancer across Wales.
Plaid's Helen Mary Jones said:
"In the UK today 2 million people are affected by cancer. I know that many of my constituents have personal experience of the problems a cancer diagnosis can bring to both patients and their family. Macmillan Cancer Support is there for people from the moment they are diagnosed, with really practical help and support. Holding a coffee morning is an easy way to make sure Macmillan has the money to continue its vital work and I hope lots of coffee was consumed today in Llanelli!”
Plaid’s Westminster candidate for Llanelli, Myfanwy Davies added:
"I know from my own family's experience how devastating a diagnosis of cancer can be and what a huge difference a Macmillan nurse can make in so many ways. I was delighted to be able to join in the fun today at Lakefield school. It is amazing that just enjoying a cup of coffee and catching up with friends can improve things so much for people affected by cancer.”
Rhian Kenny, teacher and organiser of The World’s Biggest Coffee Morning at Lakefield School said:
“We are delighted to be supporting such a worthwhile cause that helps so many people in Llanelli. In addition, it is fantastic that we can use fair-trade products at our coffee morning and bring together the great work that both Macmillan and Fair-Trade do. We believe that education outside the classroom but within the school, is a brilliant way to raise the children’s awareness of such great causes and of the wonderful work that is done within the local community.”
Fundraising Manager for South West Wales, Sue Reece said:
“The help we provide people with cancer is absolutely essential. We want to be able to give support to everyone who needs it and that’s why we need to raise more from this year’s World’s Biggest Coffee Morning than ever before. It’s a really fun event that is so easy to take part in, especially as you can tailor it to suit yourself, in fact it’s a piece of cake to help Macmillan!”
The World’s Biggest Coffee Morning is Macmillan Cancer Support’s biggest and best known annual fund raiser. It has a simple yet compelling objective: share a cup of coffee and raise funds for the fight against cancer. These funds provide practical, medical, emotional and financial support for better cancer care.
Last year, thousands of coffee mornings were held all over Wales, raising nearly £290,000. This money helped Macmillan continue to support services and professionals working to help people affected by cancer across Wales.
Plaid's Helen Mary Jones said:
"In the UK today 2 million people are affected by cancer. I know that many of my constituents have personal experience of the problems a cancer diagnosis can bring to both patients and their family. Macmillan Cancer Support is there for people from the moment they are diagnosed, with really practical help and support. Holding a coffee morning is an easy way to make sure Macmillan has the money to continue its vital work and I hope lots of coffee was consumed today in Llanelli!”
Plaid’s Westminster candidate for Llanelli, Myfanwy Davies added:
"I know from my own family's experience how devastating a diagnosis of cancer can be and what a huge difference a Macmillan nurse can make in so many ways. I was delighted to be able to join in the fun today at Lakefield school. It is amazing that just enjoying a cup of coffee and catching up with friends can improve things so much for people affected by cancer.”
Rhian Kenny, teacher and organiser of The World’s Biggest Coffee Morning at Lakefield School said:
“We are delighted to be supporting such a worthwhile cause that helps so many people in Llanelli. In addition, it is fantastic that we can use fair-trade products at our coffee morning and bring together the great work that both Macmillan and Fair-Trade do. We believe that education outside the classroom but within the school, is a brilliant way to raise the children’s awareness of such great causes and of the wonderful work that is done within the local community.”
Fundraising Manager for South West Wales, Sue Reece said:
“The help we provide people with cancer is absolutely essential. We want to be able to give support to everyone who needs it and that’s why we need to raise more from this year’s World’s Biggest Coffee Morning than ever before. It’s a really fun event that is so easy to take part in, especially as you can tailor it to suit yourself, in fact it’s a piece of cake to help Macmillan!”
Wednesday, 16 September 2009
Myfanwy wins national support for town centre businesses
Dr Myfanwy Davies, Plaid’s Llanelli Westminster candidate has won national support for a plan to help Llanelli’s town centre businesses. In a motion to Plaid Cymru’s National Conference, last weekend which was passed to a packed hall, she called for revising the rate relief scheme to help small businesses effected by out of town developments. She also called on the Assembly Government to develop community finance initiatives to provide credit to local businesses and for a national strategy to fill empty shops, promote local produce and provide suitable housing in town centres.
In her speech to the conference Myfanwy said:
“In Llanelli the failure of Carmarthenshire County Council to stop a huge out of town development together with the loss of hundreds of manufacturing jobs is bleeding our town centre dry”.
Speaking in Llanelli on Wednesday, Myfanwy added:
“For our town centre traders, business rates have become a real burden. I’m delighted that we have won national support to look at prioritising their needs. We also won support to call for a strategy to fill empty town centre shops and our Plaid AMs will now be able to campaign for community finance schemes to fund viable new businesses and to support surviving traders who need credit to grow. I know of a number of established businesses that are struggling to grow because they are scandalously being refused credit by those very same banks we bailed out with our public money.”
Helen Mary Jones Llanelli’s Plaid AM added:
“The decision gives us a clear platform to campaign for more Assembly support for small businesses in Llanelli and to look at how we can continue to help good local businesses get going and grow”.
In her speech to the conference Myfanwy said:
“In Llanelli the failure of Carmarthenshire County Council to stop a huge out of town development together with the loss of hundreds of manufacturing jobs is bleeding our town centre dry”.
Speaking in Llanelli on Wednesday, Myfanwy added:
“For our town centre traders, business rates have become a real burden. I’m delighted that we have won national support to look at prioritising their needs. We also won support to call for a strategy to fill empty town centre shops and our Plaid AMs will now be able to campaign for community finance schemes to fund viable new businesses and to support surviving traders who need credit to grow. I know of a number of established businesses that are struggling to grow because they are scandalously being refused credit by those very same banks we bailed out with our public money.”
Helen Mary Jones Llanelli’s Plaid AM added:
“The decision gives us a clear platform to campaign for more Assembly support for small businesses in Llanelli and to look at how we can continue to help good local businesses get going and grow”.
Wednesday, 12 August 2009
Dafydd Iwan, Helen Mary and Myfanwy to close Breaktho’s 25th anniversary celebrations with one-off fund-raising concert on Saturday
Popular singer and Plaid Cymru President Dafydd Iwan will join Dr Myfanwy Davies, Plaid’s Llanelli Westminster candidate and Helen Mary Jones AM together with and parents, volunteers and young people with a range of disabilities to close Breakthro’ s 25th birthday celebration with a special concert at Stebonheath Club on Saturday. Dafydd Iwan has been a disability campaigner for many years and is a founder member of Antur Waunfawr a successful community enterprise based outside Caernarfon which is part-run by people with disabilities.
The group’s birthday celebrations began on 25th of July when Dafydd Iwan visited the Coleshill Centre to cut an enormous 40 inch birthday cake. He and Myfanwy served the cake to volunteers and Breakthro’ members and Dafydd closed the visit by singing especially composed songs to the young people. Last weekend a group of Breakthro volunteers led by Jessica Sheehan completed a sponsored climb to the summit of Snowdon to celebrate the group’s birthday. Before beginning their climb, they were met for breakfast by Myfanwy and Hywel Williams MP, who represents the Arfon constituency in which Snowdon stands.
Tickets for Saturday’s concert are selling fast with some sold to people from Neath and one man travelling by bus from Swansea to Burry Port solely to make sure he had a ticket in advance. Dafydd Iwan will be waiving his usual fee and it is hoped that the group will make over £1,000 to support its activities.
Dafydd Iwan said:
“I am fully supportive of the work of Breakthro’. It is enormously important that young people with disabilities get to meet and socialise with each other as well as learning skills in mainstream schools and colleges. The young people have developed exceptionally strong friendships and they have learnt to depend on each other and to support each other. Developing that kind of trust takes years but it is crucial if people with a range of disabilities are to have a full social life. I was delighted that Myfanwy asked me to become involved with the group and am looking forward to Saturday very much.
Myfanwy said:
“We are very grateful to Dafydd for coming down once again to support Breakthro’. The impromptu concert he gave the young people last month was an extraordinary event with some young people who are usually quite withdrawn coming out of themselves and singing and dancing to the music. Next Saturday’s concert promises to be even better and tickets are going fast. I’m pleased that Helen Mary will be able to be there too. Like me she is very proud of Breakthro’ Llanelli because of the work it does but also because of the unstinting support the group has from people and groups across Llanelli”.
Christine Darkin, who has been Breakthro’s organiser for over 10 years said:
“Just a few months ago we were facing a drastic cut in our budget and we were considering how we could continue to keep the club going for our members who are now adults and who have grown up with the Club. Now thanks to an intervention by social services, we are looking forward to going into our 26th year and the support we’ve had from people across Llanelli has been amazing. I’m really looking forward to Dafydd’s concert !”
Notes to Editor
The concert will take place at Stebonheath Football Club in Llanelli at 7pm on Saturday 15th August. Tickets will be available at the venue and are priced at £10 or can be ordered on 07940122776
The group’s birthday celebrations began on 25th of July when Dafydd Iwan visited the Coleshill Centre to cut an enormous 40 inch birthday cake. He and Myfanwy served the cake to volunteers and Breakthro’ members and Dafydd closed the visit by singing especially composed songs to the young people. Last weekend a group of Breakthro volunteers led by Jessica Sheehan completed a sponsored climb to the summit of Snowdon to celebrate the group’s birthday. Before beginning their climb, they were met for breakfast by Myfanwy and Hywel Williams MP, who represents the Arfon constituency in which Snowdon stands.
Tickets for Saturday’s concert are selling fast with some sold to people from Neath and one man travelling by bus from Swansea to Burry Port solely to make sure he had a ticket in advance. Dafydd Iwan will be waiving his usual fee and it is hoped that the group will make over £1,000 to support its activities.
Dafydd Iwan said:
“I am fully supportive of the work of Breakthro’. It is enormously important that young people with disabilities get to meet and socialise with each other as well as learning skills in mainstream schools and colleges. The young people have developed exceptionally strong friendships and they have learnt to depend on each other and to support each other. Developing that kind of trust takes years but it is crucial if people with a range of disabilities are to have a full social life. I was delighted that Myfanwy asked me to become involved with the group and am looking forward to Saturday very much.
Myfanwy said:
“We are very grateful to Dafydd for coming down once again to support Breakthro’. The impromptu concert he gave the young people last month was an extraordinary event with some young people who are usually quite withdrawn coming out of themselves and singing and dancing to the music. Next Saturday’s concert promises to be even better and tickets are going fast. I’m pleased that Helen Mary will be able to be there too. Like me she is very proud of Breakthro’ Llanelli because of the work it does but also because of the unstinting support the group has from people and groups across Llanelli”.
Christine Darkin, who has been Breakthro’s organiser for over 10 years said:
“Just a few months ago we were facing a drastic cut in our budget and we were considering how we could continue to keep the club going for our members who are now adults and who have grown up with the Club. Now thanks to an intervention by social services, we are looking forward to going into our 26th year and the support we’ve had from people across Llanelli has been amazing. I’m really looking forward to Dafydd’s concert !”
Notes to Editor
The concert will take place at Stebonheath Football Club in Llanelli at 7pm on Saturday 15th August. Tickets will be available at the venue and are priced at £10 or can be ordered on 07940122776
Myfanwy leads fight for free ATMs in Llanelli communities
ATMs that charge people to withdraw their money are cashing in on some of the most vulnerable people in our communities, says Dr Myfanwy Davies, Plaid’s Llanelli Westminster candidate. While there is a choice of free ATMs in the town centre and in the retail parks, people in areas like Felinfoel and Llwynhendy need to choose carefully if they are to avoid paying up to £1.99 for a withdrawal of any kind. In Dafen and Furnace, there is currently no choice other than to pay to withdraw cash.
Myfanwy is worried by the recent rapid price increases on charging ATMs. She believes this development is particularly damaging to families struggling to deal with the recession and to groups like older people and the disabled who do not have easy access to transport. Myfanwy will be working with Plaid colleagues at Westminster to call on the UK government to regulate charges on ATMs that target the most vulnerable in our communities.
Myfanwy will also be working with Plaid’s Social Justice Spokesman, Dr. Dai Lloyd AM and Helen Mary Jones AM to investigate what can be done at an Assembly and local level to protect Welsh communities from unfair charges.
Dr Davies said:
“These withdrawal charges target people on lower incomes who take out less money at once as so pay more as a proportion on each withdrawal. These unfair charges also disproportionately affect people like pensioners whose benefits are paid directly into their accounts”.
“For those who don’t have access to cars and who live in communities like Llwynhendy and Felinfoel where most cash machines charge for withdrawal, this is an additional cost at a time when they need it least. In communities like Furnace and Dafen, there is literally no choice available.”
“Small shops and pubs in our communities provide a vital service and it is easy to see why owners would be willing to host a fee-paying ATM. Nonetheless, my concern is that the charges will place an unsustainable burden on their most loyal customers and in the longer term, introducing these ATMs may jeopardise the future of our key local businesses as people spend less locally”.
“Over the last five years the number of cash machines that charge has increased by more than 18,000 while free cash machines have only increased by around eight thousand.”
“This is an issue of basic social justice. We can’t allow our most vulnerable people to be unfairly targeted in this way and I will be working closely with Helen Mary and colleagues at Westminster to find ways of providing free ATMs across all our communities.”
Cllr. Clem Thomas from Dafen added:
“I am concerned that there is no free ATM in Dafen. We are lucky to still have our post office which has so far survived the Governments’ closure programme but the days of withdrawing benefits and pensions directly and over the counter are long gone.”
“In these difficult times, I can understand entirely why small business people would want to diversify by providing a fee-paying ATM which provides them with up 60p per transaction. It goes without saying that we need to support small local businesses. Nonetheless I am sceptical whether the cost of having a fee-paying ATM in a local business does not outweigh the potential benefit as people who feel they have paid a large fee are likely to spend less in that business than they otherwise would.”
DIWEDD / ENDS
Notes for editor
Myfanwy is campaigning for 3 things:
1. She is working with Plaid’s MPs to press the London Labour Government to regulate ATM charges and the proliferation of charging ATMs.
2. She working with Helen Mary Jones to call on WAG to increase the provision of free machines for example through public service providers such as post office network, local government offices or community centres
3. She is researching into whether planning law can be amended to protect isolated/deprived communities where there is currently no option other than to pay for cash withdrawal.
For a map of ATMs and details of charging in the Llanelli area go to: www.link.co.uk
Myfanwy is worried by the recent rapid price increases on charging ATMs. She believes this development is particularly damaging to families struggling to deal with the recession and to groups like older people and the disabled who do not have easy access to transport. Myfanwy will be working with Plaid colleagues at Westminster to call on the UK government to regulate charges on ATMs that target the most vulnerable in our communities.
Myfanwy will also be working with Plaid’s Social Justice Spokesman, Dr. Dai Lloyd AM and Helen Mary Jones AM to investigate what can be done at an Assembly and local level to protect Welsh communities from unfair charges.
Dr Davies said:
“These withdrawal charges target people on lower incomes who take out less money at once as so pay more as a proportion on each withdrawal. These unfair charges also disproportionately affect people like pensioners whose benefits are paid directly into their accounts”.
“For those who don’t have access to cars and who live in communities like Llwynhendy and Felinfoel where most cash machines charge for withdrawal, this is an additional cost at a time when they need it least. In communities like Furnace and Dafen, there is literally no choice available.”
“Small shops and pubs in our communities provide a vital service and it is easy to see why owners would be willing to host a fee-paying ATM. Nonetheless, my concern is that the charges will place an unsustainable burden on their most loyal customers and in the longer term, introducing these ATMs may jeopardise the future of our key local businesses as people spend less locally”.
“Over the last five years the number of cash machines that charge has increased by more than 18,000 while free cash machines have only increased by around eight thousand.”
“This is an issue of basic social justice. We can’t allow our most vulnerable people to be unfairly targeted in this way and I will be working closely with Helen Mary and colleagues at Westminster to find ways of providing free ATMs across all our communities.”
Cllr. Clem Thomas from Dafen added:
“I am concerned that there is no free ATM in Dafen. We are lucky to still have our post office which has so far survived the Governments’ closure programme but the days of withdrawing benefits and pensions directly and over the counter are long gone.”
“In these difficult times, I can understand entirely why small business people would want to diversify by providing a fee-paying ATM which provides them with up 60p per transaction. It goes without saying that we need to support small local businesses. Nonetheless I am sceptical whether the cost of having a fee-paying ATM in a local business does not outweigh the potential benefit as people who feel they have paid a large fee are likely to spend less in that business than they otherwise would.”
DIWEDD / ENDS
Notes for editor
Myfanwy is campaigning for 3 things:
1. She is working with Plaid’s MPs to press the London Labour Government to regulate ATM charges and the proliferation of charging ATMs.
2. She working with Helen Mary Jones to call on WAG to increase the provision of free machines for example through public service providers such as post office network, local government offices or community centres
3. She is researching into whether planning law can be amended to protect isolated/deprived communities where there is currently no option other than to pay for cash withdrawal.
For a map of ATMs and details of charging in the Llanelli area go to: www.link.co.uk
Dafydd Iwan and Myfanwy to celebrate Breaktho’s 25th anniversary with young people and carers
Popular singer and Plaid Cymru President Dafydd Iwan will join Dr Myfanwy Davies, Plaid’s Llanelli Westminster candidate and parents and young people with learning difficulties to celebrate Breakthro’ s 25th birthday at the Coleshill Centre on Saturday. Dafydd Iwan has been a disability campaigner for many years and is a founder member of Antur Waunfawr a successful community enterprise based outside Caernarfon which is run by people with learning difficulties and employs people with and without learning disabilities.
On Saturday, children and young people will meet with Dafydd Iwan and Myfanwy Davies, who is a sponsor of Breakthro’ to share a 40inch square birthday cake. Dafydd Iwan will also perform in a fundraising concert for Breakthro on 15th August at Stebonheath Club in Llanelli.
Dafydd Iwan said:
“Breakthro’ does extremely important work and I’m particularly pleased to see some of the younger people themselves starting to run the group. I know from my experience at Antur Waunfawr what a difference that makes to young people’s sense of pride in themselves that they are able to make their own decisions. It is a real achievement for eveyone involved in Breakthro’ to have kept the group going so long and it also reflects the incredible support they have had from people in Llanelli. Da iawn nhw!”
Myfanwy said:
“Dafydd and I are immensely pleased to be part of the birthday celebrations that will also include Dafydd’s concert on the 15th of August. The difference Breakthro’ makes in the lives of the children and young people it serves is immeasurable because it gives them a place where they are never judged and where they can take responsibility for each other. I wish them a wonderful birthday and a great anniversary year”
Robin Burn, Trustee of Breakthro said:
“All the members of the Management committee, and Christine and Jess our club Coordinators are immensely pleased to have Myfanwy and Dafydd take part in our birthday celebrations on Saturday. All our clients are excited at the prospect of a special birthday celebratio
n with all the trimmings. Special thanks to Dafydd for supporting us through the concert on August 15th. We hope this will help raise funds to enhancing the lives of the adults and children that use the club, Diolch yn fawr, Dafydd a Myfanwy” .
Notes to Editor
Breakthro’ was established in Llanelli in 1984 to provide social activities and opportunities for children with learning difficulties. Parents, carers and the young people themselves coopertate in organising actitivites including holidays, cinema visits, meals and fund-raising events. Activities are provided for children and for young people who have grown up with Breakthro’. The future of the group had been in doubt due to a lack of funding but a recent contribution from Carmarthenshire County Council has ensured that it has been able to continue into its 26th year.
On Saturday, children and young people will meet with Dafydd Iwan and Myfanwy Davies, who is a sponsor of Breakthro’ to share a 40inch square birthday cake. Dafydd Iwan will also perform in a fundraising concert for Breakthro on 15th August at Stebonheath Club in Llanelli.
Dafydd Iwan said:
“Breakthro’ does extremely important work and I’m particularly pleased to see some of the younger people themselves starting to run the group. I know from my experience at Antur Waunfawr what a difference that makes to young people’s sense of pride in themselves that they are able to make their own decisions. It is a real achievement for eveyone involved in Breakthro’ to have kept the group going so long and it also reflects the incredible support they have had from people in Llanelli. Da iawn nhw!”
Myfanwy said:
“Dafydd and I are immensely pleased to be part of the birthday celebrations that will also include Dafydd’s concert on the 15th of August. The difference Breakthro’ makes in the lives of the children and young people it serves is immeasurable because it gives them a place where they are never judged and where they can take responsibility for each other. I wish them a wonderful birthday and a great anniversary year”
Robin Burn, Trustee of Breakthro said:
“All the members of the Management committee, and Christine and Jess our club Coordinators are immensely pleased to have Myfanwy and Dafydd take part in our birthday celebrations on Saturday. All our clients are excited at the prospect of a special birthday celebratio
n with all the trimmings. Special thanks to Dafydd for supporting us through the concert on August 15th. We hope this will help raise funds to enhancing the lives of the adults and children that use the club, Diolch yn fawr, Dafydd a Myfanwy” .
Notes to Editor
Breakthro’ was established in Llanelli in 1984 to provide social activities and opportunities for children with learning difficulties. Parents, carers and the young people themselves coopertate in organising actitivites including holidays, cinema visits, meals and fund-raising events. Activities are provided for children and for young people who have grown up with Breakthro’. The future of the group had been in doubt due to a lack of funding but a recent contribution from Carmarthenshire County Council has ensured that it has been able to continue into its 26th year.
Myfanwy and Mari Davies back Pwll residents fighting for answers on flooding
Following the misery caused by flooding in Llanelli earlier this month, Dr Myfanwy Davies Plaid’s Westminster Candidate for Llanelli and her mother, Hengoed Councillor Cllr. Mari Davies visited residents in the Nurseries and Bassett Terrace in Pwll.
Residents raised concerns about the management of the river Dulais, the bed of which has risen considerably due to a failure to remove silt and stones. Concerns have also been raised about the condition of the mud and sand bank behind the Nurseries which was breached this month leading to severe flooding in the Nurseries. Further concerns raised by residents in Bassett Terrace centre on the diversion of the River Dulais which now flows directly behind their homes.
Trudi Williams who is a spokesperson for the group said:
“When I moved here they said that severe flooding happens once in seventy years but we’ve had floods three times in the last ten years. During all that time, the silt and stones in the river have not been cleared and the only time I have ever seen people from the Environment Agency here is once we have had flooding. They admit responsibility for managing the river, so let’s see some management. We need the river cleared so that there is room for the water to flow because the arches under the bridge are nearly underwater even on a dry day. When there is heavy rain, it has got to the point where it will overflow. I live in dread of stormy weather now because I just don’t know how bad it could get”
Myfanwy Davies said: “It is clear that the Agency needs to remove the silt and stones from the river Dulais. I am appalled that they have allowed the river bed to fill up so dangerously when we know that the area suffers from flooding and I will be demanding swift action to clear the debris before the next heavy rain”.
“It is very disappointing that the Agency is seeking to avoid responsibility for the flood defenses behind the Nurseries. Together with Helen Mary Jones I will be working to establish who owns the bank so that we can ensure that resources are found to build adequate flood defenses”.
“I was shown photos of the River Dulais where it is diverted behind Basset Terrace after heavy rain and it is clear that the 90 degree bend slows the flow of the water and is much more likely to cause flooding. I have been told that representatives of the Environment Agency have agreed to reinforce the wall behind the nurseries but none of the residents know what implications that building work would have further upstream. I have written to Jane Davidson AM, the Minister for the Environment to ask her for an inquiry into the potential risk of flooding where rivers have been diverted by the Environment Agency. Clearly there are implications for other areas where rivers have been diverted. I will ask the Minister to ensure that the Agency performs its basic statutory duty of managing the river behind the Nurseries and I have also asked Helen Mary Jones to call a meeting with Ms Davidson and local residents at the earliest possible date”.
Cllr Mari Davies said: “It is just not acceptable for the Environment Agency to try to avoid its fundamental duty of managing the river north of Pwll Road. If the residents of the Nurseries are responsible for the bank, and that is debatable, why were they never informed of that and advised what to do to protect their homes? We need to know whether a flooding risk assessment was performed before the river Dulais was diverted south of Pwll Road. Myfanwy is quite right to raise those questions with Helen Mary and the Minister.”
Diwedd / Ends
Notes for Editors:
The residents are keen to address 3 issues:
1. To have the river dredged behind the Nurseries
2. To establish who owns that bank, what defense works would be suitable and what resources could be found to help them build them
3. To establish whether the houses in Bassett Terrace and The Nurseries are more likely to be flooded following the diversion of the Dulais and the low walls build around it to prevent flooding.
Residents raised concerns about the management of the river Dulais, the bed of which has risen considerably due to a failure to remove silt and stones. Concerns have also been raised about the condition of the mud and sand bank behind the Nurseries which was breached this month leading to severe flooding in the Nurseries. Further concerns raised by residents in Bassett Terrace centre on the diversion of the River Dulais which now flows directly behind their homes.
Trudi Williams who is a spokesperson for the group said:
“When I moved here they said that severe flooding happens once in seventy years but we’ve had floods three times in the last ten years. During all that time, the silt and stones in the river have not been cleared and the only time I have ever seen people from the Environment Agency here is once we have had flooding. They admit responsibility for managing the river, so let’s see some management. We need the river cleared so that there is room for the water to flow because the arches under the bridge are nearly underwater even on a dry day. When there is heavy rain, it has got to the point where it will overflow. I live in dread of stormy weather now because I just don’t know how bad it could get”
Myfanwy Davies said: “It is clear that the Agency needs to remove the silt and stones from the river Dulais. I am appalled that they have allowed the river bed to fill up so dangerously when we know that the area suffers from flooding and I will be demanding swift action to clear the debris before the next heavy rain”.
“It is very disappointing that the Agency is seeking to avoid responsibility for the flood defenses behind the Nurseries. Together with Helen Mary Jones I will be working to establish who owns the bank so that we can ensure that resources are found to build adequate flood defenses”.
“I was shown photos of the River Dulais where it is diverted behind Basset Terrace after heavy rain and it is clear that the 90 degree bend slows the flow of the water and is much more likely to cause flooding. I have been told that representatives of the Environment Agency have agreed to reinforce the wall behind the nurseries but none of the residents know what implications that building work would have further upstream. I have written to Jane Davidson AM, the Minister for the Environment to ask her for an inquiry into the potential risk of flooding where rivers have been diverted by the Environment Agency. Clearly there are implications for other areas where rivers have been diverted. I will ask the Minister to ensure that the Agency performs its basic statutory duty of managing the river behind the Nurseries and I have also asked Helen Mary Jones to call a meeting with Ms Davidson and local residents at the earliest possible date”.
Cllr Mari Davies said: “It is just not acceptable for the Environment Agency to try to avoid its fundamental duty of managing the river north of Pwll Road. If the residents of the Nurseries are responsible for the bank, and that is debatable, why were they never informed of that and advised what to do to protect their homes? We need to know whether a flooding risk assessment was performed before the river Dulais was diverted south of Pwll Road. Myfanwy is quite right to raise those questions with Helen Mary and the Minister.”
Diwedd / Ends
Notes for Editors:
The residents are keen to address 3 issues:
1. To have the river dredged behind the Nurseries
2. To establish who owns that bank, what defense works would be suitable and what resources could be found to help them build them
3. To establish whether the houses in Bassett Terrace and The Nurseries are more likely to be flooded following the diversion of the Dulais and the low walls build around it to prevent flooding.
Friday, 7 August 2009
Breaktho reaches for the summit to celebrate 25th anniversary on top of Snowdon
Dr Myfanwy Davies, Plaid’s Llanelli Westminster candidate and patron of Llanelli disabilities group, Breakthro’, met volunteers working for the group celebrating Breakthro’ s 25th birthday and raising funds by climbing Snowdon on Saturday 6th August. Dr Davies was joined by Hywel Williams MP who represents the Arfon constituency in which Snowdon stands, for breakfast with the group. Mr Williams who worked for many years in social care, recently helped celebrate the 25th Birthday of Antur Waunfawr a successful community enterprise based in his constituency outside Caernarfon which is part-run by people with learning difficulties.
.
Hywel Williams said:
“It goes without saying that young people with disabilities need to learn and gain confidence in a range of settings. My experience with Antur Waunfawr has shown me how people like the members of Breakthro’ can make very important contributions in the workplace. Breakthro’ also offers children and young people a place where they can take responsibility for themselves and each other. I’m immensely pleased that the group has lasted so long particularly since it was recently under threat. The fact that the group has lasted so long says a lot about the support that people in Llanelli have been willing to give it over the years and it's great that Myfanwy was able to help gain the core funding that Breakthro' relies on!”
Myfanwy said:
“The work Breakthro’ does is sometimes overlooked because it doesn’t focus on teaching skills or preparing people for employment. The group is mainly focused on enabling young people a range of disabilities to have the same kind of social life as other people of their age. I have seen many of the young people support and help each other week by week. On Saturday the volunteers climbing Snowdon had a large part of our country at their feet. I hope that memory stays with them because there is so much they can do they work together. I’m now looking forward to the Dafydd Iwan concert next Saturday that is the high point of Breakthro’s birthday celebrations”
Jessica Sheehan Breakthro’ organiser said:
“We wanted to mark the birthday in style. Breakthro’ is all about making sure that our members have access to all the things they want to do. What better way could there be of celebrating what Breakthro has done and what it wants to do than to climb right up to the top of Snowdon?
.
Hywel Williams said:
“It goes without saying that young people with disabilities need to learn and gain confidence in a range of settings. My experience with Antur Waunfawr has shown me how people like the members of Breakthro’ can make very important contributions in the workplace. Breakthro’ also offers children and young people a place where they can take responsibility for themselves and each other. I’m immensely pleased that the group has lasted so long particularly since it was recently under threat. The fact that the group has lasted so long says a lot about the support that people in Llanelli have been willing to give it over the years and it's great that Myfanwy was able to help gain the core funding that Breakthro' relies on!”
Myfanwy said:
“The work Breakthro’ does is sometimes overlooked because it doesn’t focus on teaching skills or preparing people for employment. The group is mainly focused on enabling young people a range of disabilities to have the same kind of social life as other people of their age. I have seen many of the young people support and help each other week by week. On Saturday the volunteers climbing Snowdon had a large part of our country at their feet. I hope that memory stays with them because there is so much they can do they work together. I’m now looking forward to the Dafydd Iwan concert next Saturday that is the high point of Breakthro’s birthday celebrations”
Jessica Sheehan Breakthro’ organiser said:
“We wanted to mark the birthday in style. Breakthro’ is all about making sure that our members have access to all the things they want to do. What better way could there be of celebrating what Breakthro has done and what it wants to do than to climb right up to the top of Snowdon?
Friday, 17 July 2009
Myfanwy fights to keep Jobforce scheme to help Llanelli’s children out of poverty
Responding figures that show an increase in the number of children living in poverty in Wales, Dr Myfanwy Davies Plaid’s Westminster Candidate for Llanelli has strongly criticised Government plans to cut funding for a scheme that helps Llanelli’s lone parents back into work or training.
Myfanwy is joining the fight to save a scheme offered by jobforce Wales that provides free childcare to lone parents so the can work or complete the training they need to return to work.
Myfanwy said:
“The official figures show more children in Wales slipping back into poverty which will have a huge effect on the choices they have in life. Next week Parliament will discuss the Child Poverty Bill that aims to take some of the positive steps our Assembly has already taken towards eradicating child poverty. I welcome the debate and it is a wholly good thing to introduce targets for raising parents’ income such as those proposed in the Bill. But those targets are meaningless while Gordon Brown is still planning vicious cuts in schemes that help parents back to work”.
“One very concrete example of the UK Government’s failure to deal with child poverty is the fact that the New Deal for Lone Parents in Llanelli has come to the end of its funding. There are dozens of lone parents in Llanelli who have expressed an interest in taking up training but can’t do so because they do not have the resources to look after their kids. I will be raising this issue with our AM Helen Mary Jones in her role as Chair of the Assembly Children’s Committee”.
“It is all very well for Gordon Brown and his self-serving MPs to set targets they know will not be met they need to take this chance to put the needs of our families in Llanelli first”.
Diwedd / Ends
Notes to Editor:
In Wales, 32% of children now face living in a home which has less than 60% of the average UK household income. In 1999, the average level of risk that that Welsh child would be in a household that fell below the poverty line was 35%.
While the level of poverty appears to be rising in Wales, in Scotland the rate continues to fall, now standing at 25% of children at risk. Northern Ireland has also kept poverty levels stable at 26%.
Link to the full Rowntree Foundation Report:http://www.jrf.org.uk/sites/files/jrf/end-child-poverty-wales-summary.pdf
Next Tuesday Parliament will begin to discuss The Child Poverty Bill that will require the Government reports on progress towards eradicating child poverty and includes targets on increasing family income
Myfanwy is joining the fight to save a scheme offered by jobforce Wales that provides free childcare to lone parents so the can work or complete the training they need to return to work.
Myfanwy said:
“The official figures show more children in Wales slipping back into poverty which will have a huge effect on the choices they have in life. Next week Parliament will discuss the Child Poverty Bill that aims to take some of the positive steps our Assembly has already taken towards eradicating child poverty. I welcome the debate and it is a wholly good thing to introduce targets for raising parents’ income such as those proposed in the Bill. But those targets are meaningless while Gordon Brown is still planning vicious cuts in schemes that help parents back to work”.
“One very concrete example of the UK Government’s failure to deal with child poverty is the fact that the New Deal for Lone Parents in Llanelli has come to the end of its funding. There are dozens of lone parents in Llanelli who have expressed an interest in taking up training but can’t do so because they do not have the resources to look after their kids. I will be raising this issue with our AM Helen Mary Jones in her role as Chair of the Assembly Children’s Committee”.
“It is all very well for Gordon Brown and his self-serving MPs to set targets they know will not be met they need to take this chance to put the needs of our families in Llanelli first”.
Diwedd / Ends
Notes to Editor:
In Wales, 32% of children now face living in a home which has less than 60% of the average UK household income. In 1999, the average level of risk that that Welsh child would be in a household that fell below the poverty line was 35%.
While the level of poverty appears to be rising in Wales, in Scotland the rate continues to fall, now standing at 25% of children at risk. Northern Ireland has also kept poverty levels stable at 26%.
Link to the full Rowntree Foundation Report:http://www.jrf.org.uk/sites/files/jrf/end-child-poverty-wales-summary.pdf
Next Tuesday Parliament will begin to discuss The Child Poverty Bill that will require the Government reports on progress towards eradicating child poverty and includes targets on increasing family income
Thursday, 2 July 2009
Myfanwy calls on Nia Griffith to protect Royal Mail
Plaid Cymru Llanelli
Ty Bres,
Heol Bres
Llanelli
SA15 1UH
July 2nd, 2009
Nia Griffith MP
6 Queen Victoria Road
Llanelli
SA15 2TL
Dear Ms Griffith,
I enclose a letter sent to you on June 2nd and note that I have not yet received any response to this from your office.
I had asked you to oppose plans to privatise our Royal Mail to protect jobs and to preserve the level of service we expect and need. As you will know your colleague Lord Mandelson has now admitted that the UK Government will not push through legislation to part-privatise the Royal Mail in the near future because no buyer could be found.
It is also very clear that among your more outspoken colleagues this is an unpopular measure and failing to get the bill passed would be an embarrassment for the Government.
While the climb-down is welcome, it not good enough for the plans to be shelved so that they can be resurrected when a buyer is found or when the Labour whips think they can win the debate. Not even the Tories dreamed of privatising the Royal Mail and you must know that job losses will follow from this move and that there can be no justification for supporting a measure that puts more jobs in Llanelli at risk.
I urge you to pledge publicly to people in Llanelli that you will vote against these reckless measures when they come up for debate.
Yours faithfully,
Myfanwy Davies
Ty Bres,
Heol Bres
Llanelli
SA15 1UH
July 2nd, 2009
Nia Griffith MP
6 Queen Victoria Road
Llanelli
SA15 2TL
Dear Ms Griffith,
I enclose a letter sent to you on June 2nd and note that I have not yet received any response to this from your office.
I had asked you to oppose plans to privatise our Royal Mail to protect jobs and to preserve the level of service we expect and need. As you will know your colleague Lord Mandelson has now admitted that the UK Government will not push through legislation to part-privatise the Royal Mail in the near future because no buyer could be found.
It is also very clear that among your more outspoken colleagues this is an unpopular measure and failing to get the bill passed would be an embarrassment for the Government.
While the climb-down is welcome, it not good enough for the plans to be shelved so that they can be resurrected when a buyer is found or when the Labour whips think they can win the debate. Not even the Tories dreamed of privatising the Royal Mail and you must know that job losses will follow from this move and that there can be no justification for supporting a measure that puts more jobs in Llanelli at risk.
I urge you to pledge publicly to people in Llanelli that you will vote against these reckless measures when they come up for debate.
Yours faithfully,
Myfanwy Davies
Wednesday, 1 July 2009
Myfanwy and Hywel Williams join Llanelli bingo protestors at Westminster
Plaid Cymru’s Hywel Williams MP and Plaid’s Westminster candidate in Llanelli Dr Myfanwy Davies, today joined forces with bingo players from Llanelli to campaign against unfair taxation on bingo.
The group from Llanelli lead by Nigel Griffiths traveled 330 miles to fight for their bingo club’s future by protesting in Dean’s Yard opposite the Houses of Parliament.
Protestors wore Alistair Darling masks, carried several placards, some even circled the square aboard the ‘Bingo bus’, and even joined in a game of Bingo on the green to champion the cause.
Plaid Cymru’s Hywel Williams has previously warned that the decision to increase in the rate of duty from 15% to 22% could signal a decline for Bingo clubs.
A Plaid-backed SNP motion to reverse the decision was recently defeated by Labour MPs. Other forms of gambling such as casino or online poker remain taxed at 15%.
Plaid’s Hywel Williams MP said:
“The Government's treatment of the bingo sector is incredibly unfair. In the Budget, the Government announced that it had removed the VAT on participation fees for Bingo players, but at the same time has increased the rate of bingo duty from 22%. This makes no sense in practise.
“Tax fairness is essential during the recession and this taxation on licensed bingo halls is dangerous as it targets the heart of our communities, and in particular older women and those from lower income households. Bingo halls provide a safe and friendly environment for the whole community to meet and socialise.
“The protestors have championed this cause fantastically today. I hope that the Government will now see for itself that bingo clubs and their constituents are suffering under this burdensome tax.”
Dr Myfanwy Davies added:
“Bingo has been part of life in Llanelli for as long as I can remember and the last thing we need in the town centre is for the club in Market Street to have to close.
“This is a completely unfair and ridiculous tax on people’s enjoyment. Bingo is already taxed once and there is no justification for treating bingo differently from online poker or any other form of gambling.
“We’ve come today to show those MPs that voted for the tax hike will see that they cannot ignore the voice of their constituents.”
The group from Llanelli lead by Nigel Griffiths traveled 330 miles to fight for their bingo club’s future by protesting in Dean’s Yard opposite the Houses of Parliament.
Protestors wore Alistair Darling masks, carried several placards, some even circled the square aboard the ‘Bingo bus’, and even joined in a game of Bingo on the green to champion the cause.
Plaid Cymru’s Hywel Williams has previously warned that the decision to increase in the rate of duty from 15% to 22% could signal a decline for Bingo clubs.
A Plaid-backed SNP motion to reverse the decision was recently defeated by Labour MPs. Other forms of gambling such as casino or online poker remain taxed at 15%.
Plaid’s Hywel Williams MP said:
“The Government's treatment of the bingo sector is incredibly unfair. In the Budget, the Government announced that it had removed the VAT on participation fees for Bingo players, but at the same time has increased the rate of bingo duty from 22%. This makes no sense in practise.
“Tax fairness is essential during the recession and this taxation on licensed bingo halls is dangerous as it targets the heart of our communities, and in particular older women and those from lower income households. Bingo halls provide a safe and friendly environment for the whole community to meet and socialise.
“The protestors have championed this cause fantastically today. I hope that the Government will now see for itself that bingo clubs and their constituents are suffering under this burdensome tax.”
Dr Myfanwy Davies added:
“Bingo has been part of life in Llanelli for as long as I can remember and the last thing we need in the town centre is for the club in Market Street to have to close.
“This is a completely unfair and ridiculous tax on people’s enjoyment. Bingo is already taxed once and there is no justification for treating bingo differently from online poker or any other form of gambling.
“We’ve come today to show those MPs that voted for the tax hike will see that they cannot ignore the voice of their constituents.”
Monday, 29 June 2009
Myfanwy and Jill Evans MEP fight for answers on cockle-deaths and flooding in Europe
Following a request by Dr Myfanwy Davies, Plaid’s Llanelli Westminster candidate, Plaid MEP Jill Evans will meet with representatives of the European Commission on Wednesday (1st July). Recent figures show that cockles are continuing to die in large numbers putting the future of Llanelli’s cockle industry at risk. Last week a packed meeting called by a National Assembly Committee also heard accounts by people across Llanelli who had been victims of flooding.
Myfanwy is concerned that the existing flooding problem is being made considerably worse by the effects of more extreme weather but also by insufficient attention given by government agencies to the impact of some large-scale housing developments on draining surface water and on over-used sewage facilities.
Myfanwy has recently backed calls for independent scientific research to explore the reasons for the cockle deaths so that action can be taken while there is still a fishery to protect.
Ms. Evans will question the representatives of the Commission on where responsibility lies for calling for environmental impact assessments to assess the full impact developments will have on our environment. She will also ask officials about potential sanctions where for organisations have not called for these assessments where risks to the environment such as flooding have followed. Ms Evans will also request details of investigations into events similar to the cockle deaths elsewhere in Europe and will ask for these reports to be made available to Welsh scientists, cockle pickers and campaigners.
Ms. Evans said:
“Flooding in Llanelli is becoming much more severe and more frequent. This is partly due to the more extreme weather but it is a cause for concern that many new developments in the area that involve concreting over land that would drain water have not been subject to proper environmental impact assessments. I am not against new houses where they are affordable and needed, but we must make sure that new developments are properly assessed and that sensible measures are built into them to allow water to drain and to prevent flooding elsewhere”.
“I have been supporting the fishermen’s campaign to find out what is killing the cockles for a number of years. It is sad and frustrating that we are no nearer to getting real answers while the fishery risks being destroyed. There is no substitute for rigourous scientific research into this, and I will use my meeting with the representatives of the Commission to gather evidence on similar events in other places.”
Myfanwy said:
“I am delighted that Jill Evans has been able to organize a meeting with representative of the Commission so quickly. Our communities are suffering from severe flooding on a much more regular basis than was previously the case. The Assembly’s meeting last Friday confirmed to me the importance of making sure that new developments along the estuary do not effect flooding elsewhere. Jill Evans is also intending to raise the issue of the cockle deaths. We urgently need to know what is killing the cockles so that we can act to preserve the fishery and the livelihoods that depend on it.”
Myfanwy is concerned that the existing flooding problem is being made considerably worse by the effects of more extreme weather but also by insufficient attention given by government agencies to the impact of some large-scale housing developments on draining surface water and on over-used sewage facilities.
Myfanwy has recently backed calls for independent scientific research to explore the reasons for the cockle deaths so that action can be taken while there is still a fishery to protect.
Ms. Evans will question the representatives of the Commission on where responsibility lies for calling for environmental impact assessments to assess the full impact developments will have on our environment. She will also ask officials about potential sanctions where for organisations have not called for these assessments where risks to the environment such as flooding have followed. Ms Evans will also request details of investigations into events similar to the cockle deaths elsewhere in Europe and will ask for these reports to be made available to Welsh scientists, cockle pickers and campaigners.
Ms. Evans said:
“Flooding in Llanelli is becoming much more severe and more frequent. This is partly due to the more extreme weather but it is a cause for concern that many new developments in the area that involve concreting over land that would drain water have not been subject to proper environmental impact assessments. I am not against new houses where they are affordable and needed, but we must make sure that new developments are properly assessed and that sensible measures are built into them to allow water to drain and to prevent flooding elsewhere”.
“I have been supporting the fishermen’s campaign to find out what is killing the cockles for a number of years. It is sad and frustrating that we are no nearer to getting real answers while the fishery risks being destroyed. There is no substitute for rigourous scientific research into this, and I will use my meeting with the representatives of the Commission to gather evidence on similar events in other places.”
Myfanwy said:
“I am delighted that Jill Evans has been able to organize a meeting with representative of the Commission so quickly. Our communities are suffering from severe flooding on a much more regular basis than was previously the case. The Assembly’s meeting last Friday confirmed to me the importance of making sure that new developments along the estuary do not effect flooding elsewhere. Jill Evans is also intending to raise the issue of the cockle deaths. We urgently need to know what is killing the cockles so that we can act to preserve the fishery and the livelihoods that depend on it.”
Monday, 15 June 2009
Myfanwy and Helen Mary fight to save Llanelli Bingo Clubs
Myfanwy and Helen Mary slam Gordon’s Bingo Tax
Dr Myfanwy Davies, Plaid’s Llanelli Westminster candidate and Helen Mary Jones Llanelli’s Plaid AM have spoken out against the double taxation on bingo clubs that MPs voted on last week. Myfanwy has accused Gordon Brown’s government of placing Llanelli’s bingo clubs at risk.
The warning comes after Welsh Labour MPs defeated a Plaid-backed SNP motion to reverse the increase in the rate of duty from 15% to 22%. Other forms of gambling such as casino or online poker will remain taxed at 15%.
Myfanwy said:
Bingo clubs are an important part of social life in Llanelli. They provide safe entertainment and are places where women in particular come to meet their friends. This is a tax hike on bingo, when duty on other forms of gambling will remain the same. This is entirely unfair.
She warned:
“Bingo clubs may have to close in Llanelli over the next few weeks. Along with Helen Mary Jones, I will be supporting customers and staff at Llanelli’s bingo clubs who are very concerned about the situation”.
Helen Mary said
“There is widespread support for bringing down the rate of Bingo duty from 22 per cent to 15 percent in line with the tax rate for every other form of gambling. This is about fair play for one of the most popular pastimes enjoyed by people in all communities."
Myfanwy and Helen Mary will be talking to staff and customers at Bingo Clubs in and around Llanelli over the next few weeks.
Dr Myfanwy Davies, Plaid’s Llanelli Westminster candidate and Helen Mary Jones Llanelli’s Plaid AM have spoken out against the double taxation on bingo clubs that MPs voted on last week. Myfanwy has accused Gordon Brown’s government of placing Llanelli’s bingo clubs at risk.
The warning comes after Welsh Labour MPs defeated a Plaid-backed SNP motion to reverse the increase in the rate of duty from 15% to 22%. Other forms of gambling such as casino or online poker will remain taxed at 15%.
Myfanwy said:
Bingo clubs are an important part of social life in Llanelli. They provide safe entertainment and are places where women in particular come to meet their friends. This is a tax hike on bingo, when duty on other forms of gambling will remain the same. This is entirely unfair.
She warned:
“Bingo clubs may have to close in Llanelli over the next few weeks. Along with Helen Mary Jones, I will be supporting customers and staff at Llanelli’s bingo clubs who are very concerned about the situation”.
Helen Mary said
“There is widespread support for bringing down the rate of Bingo duty from 22 per cent to 15 percent in line with the tax rate for every other form of gambling. This is about fair play for one of the most popular pastimes enjoyed by people in all communities."
Myfanwy and Helen Mary will be talking to staff and customers at Bingo Clubs in and around Llanelli over the next few weeks.
Monday, 11 May 2009
Myfanwy and Dafydd Wigley in plea to clean up Westminster sleaze
In the wake of the disclosure of MPs expenses claims last week Dr Myfanwy Davies, Plaid Cymru’s Westminster candidate for Llanelli, has issued a plea for a transparent system of expenses to restore people’s faith in parliament.
Myfanwy Davies is calling for a new set of rules which are clear, strong and open to public scrutiny. The new rules would introduce a completely open accounting system and would enable MPs to employ the staff they need and to travel to and from London to their constituencies.
Speaking from her campaign office in Llanelli, Myfanwy said:
“There is no excuse for the kind of abuses of the system we have seen in the past few days. For me the worst aspect of this behaviour by some MPs is that it makes people feel their votes don’t matter at precisely the time we desperately need MPs to stand up for our communities and to be accountable to them”.
“I have been talking to people in Trimsaran over the weekend and I am very concerned that instead of using their votes to hold politicians to account, some people feel that there is no point in voting in elections and may not vote at all”.
“There is a much clearer system of supporting the work of elected representatives already in place in Wales, at the National Assembly. What I would like to see is a system like the one they have in Sweden where all members’ expenses are available for the public to see. For far too long we have accepted a culture of secrecy at Westminster and that has now become a real danger to democracy as people are choosing not to vote”
Dafydd Wigley the former MP for Arfon and former Plaid leader added:
‘The systems in the Assembly, whilst they undoubtedly need tightening are very much more rigorous than those in the House of Commons. Westminster would do well to learn from the Assembly in these matters’
End/Diwedd
Notes for the editor:
According to the 'Audit of Political Engagement' published by Hansard in April, only a third of UK people believe that that the system of government works well or very well.
Last week following the first disclosures of MP’s expenses 89% of those quizzed by ICM for the News of the World warned that the reputation of parliament was being tarnished.
Dafydd Wigley is currently involved in the Independent Review Panel on AM’s pay and allowances that is chaired by Sir Roger Jones
Myfanwy Davies is calling for a new set of rules which are clear, strong and open to public scrutiny. The new rules would introduce a completely open accounting system and would enable MPs to employ the staff they need and to travel to and from London to their constituencies.
Speaking from her campaign office in Llanelli, Myfanwy said:
“There is no excuse for the kind of abuses of the system we have seen in the past few days. For me the worst aspect of this behaviour by some MPs is that it makes people feel their votes don’t matter at precisely the time we desperately need MPs to stand up for our communities and to be accountable to them”.
“I have been talking to people in Trimsaran over the weekend and I am very concerned that instead of using their votes to hold politicians to account, some people feel that there is no point in voting in elections and may not vote at all”.
“There is a much clearer system of supporting the work of elected representatives already in place in Wales, at the National Assembly. What I would like to see is a system like the one they have in Sweden where all members’ expenses are available for the public to see. For far too long we have accepted a culture of secrecy at Westminster and that has now become a real danger to democracy as people are choosing not to vote”
Dafydd Wigley the former MP for Arfon and former Plaid leader added:
‘The systems in the Assembly, whilst they undoubtedly need tightening are very much more rigorous than those in the House of Commons. Westminster would do well to learn from the Assembly in these matters’
End/Diwedd
Notes for the editor:
According to the 'Audit of Political Engagement' published by Hansard in April, only a third of UK people believe that that the system of government works well or very well.
Last week following the first disclosures of MP’s expenses 89% of those quizzed by ICM for the News of the World warned that the reputation of parliament was being tarnished.
Dafydd Wigley is currently involved in the Independent Review Panel on AM’s pay and allowances that is chaired by Sir Roger Jones
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