Whenever Rishi Sunak decides to call a General Election, it can’t come soon enough.
Families across the UK are continuing to be hammered by the Conservative Cost-of-Living crisis and living with the consequences of the disastrous Liz Truss mini-budget.
People’s lives are not simply improving. They are actively getting worse. Families in communities like ours are crying out for change.
Labour has a plan for a better Britain but we must continue to work hard to ensure a victory at the polls. We cannot take anything for granted.
As our candidate for the new Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney constituency I am putting in place the building blocks of an election campaign. There will be much activity in the coming months and it’s important we pull together as a team.
If you want to join in any future campaigning activities, or lend a hand in any other way, please drop me an email at nicksmithlabour@gmail.com and I will be in touch.

Voter ID

I spoke out extensively about the Tories’ Voter ID plan when it was being touted, I opposed it being brought in and I remain very concerned about it ahead of the next election.
I believe it amounts to no less than an attempt at voter suppression and flies in the face of what we, as politicians, should be doing – encouraging every voter to vote.
The new rules mean that at the next General Election you will not be able to vote unless you have photo ID such as a driving licence, passport or bus pass. If you don’t you can go here to apply for a ‘voter ID certificate’.
Please ensure that you are able to vote when the time comes, and please also make sure your friends and family are aware of the new rules.
No one should be denied their right to vote.

Steel
In Parliament I spoke in the debate on the future of UK steel and also voted to support Labour’s long-term plan for the industry.
The Tory Government and Tata’s plan is short-sighted. There is a need to decarbonise the industry, but this is not the way to do it. We should not be spending billions to make thousands of people redundant. We cannot offshore our emissions and call it progress. We can’t claim to have decarbonised the industry by simply shutting it down.
This is, simply, the wrong deal for steel.
It would be a huge mistake for the UK to become the first major economy in the world without the ability to make our own virgin steel, not just economically but for our national defence capabilities.
The UK Government must take a look at the alternative plan drawn up by steel unions.
The transition to green steel should be an optimistic time for the industry.
Labour has earmarked £3bn of investment from our spending plans to secure the industry’s long-term future.
We have a plan to build a better Britain, and we want to build it with steel made in the UK.

Safe Hands
I am also continuing my Parliamentary work to shed light on the scandal which left 46,000 people a total of £60m out of pocket when Safe Hands funeral plans collapsed.
I took this up on behalf of those constituents I have met who were affected, pushing for a Parliamentary review and action from the Treasury.
Last month I met with Economic Secretary to discuss this and he has agreed to review the matter, to contact the Financial Conduct Authority about information pertaining to Safe Hands and FOI requests I have made and to also raise it with the Chancellor.
I will be chasing this up in the coming weeks.

Shoda Sauces
Great to visit Shoda Sauces, a fantastic local employer that has been in the area since the late 1990s, to hear about the forthcoming expansion at the site in Blaina.
I was glad to offer my support to the business.

Llanhilleth Miners Institute
Llanhilleth Institute is fantastic local venue that serves the community in so many positive ways, I’m always very happy to pay a visit and catch up with the brilliant and enthusiastic staff there.
Very happy to hear about what’s been going on and discuss future plans I may be able to lend a hand with.

Continental Teves
Another brilliant local employer is Continental Teves, which this year will be celebrating its 50th anniversary in Ebbw Vale.
It’s always a pleasure to catch up with managing director Mark Langshaw to hear about the changes that have been taking place and the future of the business.