Heading back to Parliament this week, the message from Labour is bold. It is about rejecting the division and decline that been holding our country back.
At the turn of the new year Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “I know people are frustrated about the pace of change. I am too.
“Getting our country back on track will take time, but despite the chaos we inherited, we’re making progress.”
He went on to say that this is the year we will turn the corner, where communities will start to feel the change we promised – in the weekly shop, in our bills, in our public services – now that we have got the country onto a more stable footing.
Despite what those who seek to stoke division say, work to create change for the better is already well underway.
We are putting more police on the streets, we are bringing NHS waiting lists down, inflation, interest rates and mortgage costs are falling and forecasted to continue falling. Wages rose more in our first year than in the previous 10 under the Conservatives. We have launched the Pride in Place and Trailblazer programmes, both of which will directly benefit us here in Blaenau Gwent & Rhymney. Record funding was secured for Wales at the last budget.
Our two Labour Governments are going to be working every day to make sure we get Wales and the UK back on track. On the cost of living, lifting children out of poverty and investing in our NHS and local public services.
Campaigning in the early part of this year will be crucial. We know there’s much more to do, and we know that it is our job to get the message out about what we’re doing to ensure a fairer, better future.
|
Get in touch Looking back at 2025, the data shows that my office sent out responses to 5,222 emails, and worked on 3,731 cases brought forward by local people. Every day my office hears from people across Blaenau Gwent & Rhymney who need advice or assistance, these range from questions about my work in Parliament to requests for assistance with all manner of difficult day-to-day issues. So please if you want to speak with me, get in touch by calling 01495 313167 or emailing nick.smith.mp@parliament.uk |
|
Everyone Deserves a Christmas What a fantastic morning it was packing hampers for the 2025 Everyone Deserves a Christmas campaign. On Monday, December 22 we put together 210 packages for Blaenau Gwent & Rhymney and also 200 for Merthyr Tydfil & Aberdare, during a fun and festive morning at Merthyr Town Football Club. Thanks to all the fantastic volunteers, this means more than 400 families received a boost a few days before Christmas, hopefully making things a little easier. |
|
A big thank you to all that joined in the packing from our local Labour party including Cllr Sue Edmunds, Cllr Diane Rowberry, Cllr Carl Cuss, Cllr Rob Chapman, Cllr Mansel Powell, Alyson Tippings and Lyn Turner. Also, thank you to those who helped distribute the packages; Ebbw Vale Institute, Caerphilly Cares, Llanhilleth Institute, Hospice of the Valleys, Waundeg Community Flat. What a pleasure it was to also be joined by our Miss Teen Wales hopeful from Blaenau Gwent, Rianna James. I wish her the best of luck for the finals in April. |
|
|
New Year’s Honours Congratulations to all of the New Year’s Honours recipients from Blaenau Gwent & Rhymney: Richard Nixon – team leader, operations directorate, defence equipment and support. For services to Defence. (Ebbw Vale) Michael Morgan – for Voluntary and Charitable Service in Wales. (Tredegar). Susan Arnold – Co-Founder, Sirhowy Hill Woodlands. For services to the community in Tredegar. (Tredegar). I was especially pleased to see Susy from the Sirhowy Woodlands receive an award. I’ve visited the Woodlands a few times and I’m always so impressed by all the work that goes on up there. Susy is a font of knowledge and a tireless volunteer who does so much for the community. |
|
|
Royal Mail There have been issues with Royal Mail deliveries, affecting customers across the constituency for some time now, with some areas affected worse than others. I have heard from people who have missed hospital appointments because of letters being delivered late. This is not acceptable service. |
|
Unfortunately, this only became worse in the lead up to Christmas as the post office’s workload greatly increased. Our local posties are a good bunch who worked so hard this Christmas, under difficult circumstances and in terrible weather. They need better support from Royal Mail. |
|
Fuel Prices I have been hearing concerns from constituents in the upper Rhymney valley about unacceptably high petrol prices at ASDA Dowlais. I have written to both ASDA and the Competition and Markets Authority about this and also asked for an update on the Government’s forthcoming “Fuel Finder” scheme to help compare prices. I will be following this up with Ministers to find out more, as advised. |
|
Coleg Gwent It was great to help create a connection between Coleg Gwent Ebbw Vale’s Cyber Security course and the Ministry of Defence, after putting together a visit from Stu Blackburn of the Defence STEM Undergraduate Sponsorship programme. I’m always keen to help improve and support this course, having helped set it up. |
|
Cyber Security is such an important part of keeping our country safe and there are good, well-paid jobs available for young people with the right skills. |
Russia
Before Christmas I spoke during an update on Ukraine to speak about ongoing attempts by Russia to influence political systems in the west. It has been reported that, to avoid being held to account for the war in Ukraine, Russian agents are reportedly undermining financial institutions and public servants in Belgium.
Following the jailing of a former Reform leader in Wales for taking bribes from Russia, the inquiry into foreign financial interference in our domestic politics has not come soon enough.