Nick Smith MP – Monthly Report – April 2020

Labour leadership
When the Labour leadership contest began no one could have predicted it would end during such a trying time.
I am delighted that Keir Starmer is the new Labour leader and am greatly enthused by his message and his aims of uniting the party and re-engaging with voters.
The priority at this moment is to work with the Government to get us all through this emergency while also continuing, where necessary, to shine a light on its failures and scrutinise decisions.
As a party we must start coming together to take an honest look at the scale of the task ahead of us.
We have to candidly assess what is required to restore trust in our party as a force for good and make sure that, when the times comes, we are well equipped to return to power and begin making the real changes that so many people need.
We will emerge from this crisis stronger, with a robust Labour leadership in place and supported by a tremendously talented Shadow Cabinet.

Coronavirus
We are living in truly unprecedented times and I know that this is a frightening and uncertain period for many.
The coronavirus outbreak has radically altered much of normal life, including Parliamentary work.
Although this is an unusual time, I can assure you that I am continuing to do all I can to challenge the Government and help local people during this emergency.
For example, over the last few weeks my work has included urging the Government to secure the financial well-being of all workers – including those who have fallen through the gaps in the Government’s assistance package – , to make sure that criminal proceedings against violent offenders can continue without delay, to better protect domestic abuse victims, to protect charities, to indefinitely suspend the removal of free TV licences for all over-75s and to provide adequate PPE to our hospitals and those in the care sector.
I am in regular correspondence with the local authority, local health board and Gwent Police to discuss the crisis response and ask important questions.
I believe that, in the circumstances, there is a tremendous amount of fantastic work being carried out right across Blaenau Gwent, by the relevant services and also by local volunteers.
As worrying a time as this is, it is bringing out true community spirit and a better understanding of what matters most in our society .
What will get us all through this is the hard work, bravery and determination of our amazing NHS staff and care workers, our cleaners, our shop staff, our teachers and other key workers.
This has pulled into focus those who hold together the fabric of our daily lives.
My hope is that this crisis will bring about a change in how these workers are treated.
The weeks ahead will be difficult, and things are likely to get worse before they get better.
But we will get through this and hopefully come back to a Government which is much better prepared to listen to an argument about why so many of our workers deserve better.