Dear Friend, 

The Internal Market Bill dominated this week's agenda in Parliament. Two decades of devolution are under attack as a direct result of this Bill, which threatens to drive a coach and horses through the devolution settlement in an act of pure political opportunism. 

The UK Government is a wrecking ball - breaking international law, undertaking the ultimate power-grab from Wales to Whitehall and jeopardising our standing in the world in one fell swoop. 

The Prime Minister is trying to frame scrutiny and significant legitimate concerns as reigniting the Leave vs. Remain dispute. That is total nonsense. By January 1st 2021 we will have left the EU so this is now about how the UK will conduct international trade in the post-Brexit context, how we will maintain our food, animal welfare and environment standards across the UK and how we will protect our NHS from privatisation in international agreements. 

In this shameful power-grab from Downing Street, the UK government plans to centralise powers in the hands of UK ministers, bypass Welsh consent and sacrifice the future of the United Kingdom. This is an affront to democracy and the people of Wales who’ve elected a Welsh Labour government to lead us.

I opposed it, Labour opposed it and some of the Tories' own Brexiteers opposed it because they knew the damage it would do. I'll continue to stand up for Wales and Cardiff North against this blatant Tory power-grab.

Continue to stay safe and as ever, if you would like to get in touch with me please contact [email protected].

With very best wishes, 

Rebuilding trust among the Lebanese people and the international community will unlock funds to tackle the humanitarian crises in Lebanon. Transparency is key, that’s why Wayne David MP and I have called for an independent inquiry into the Beirut blast. 

Find out more in the Labour List article.

It was great to host Cardiff's Centre for Climate and Social Transformations (CAST) at an APPG on Climate Change meeting - we had an insightful discussion on climate change, human behaviour, lifestyle change and Covid. 

Covid 19 has fundamentally changed the way we view our lifestyle habits. Lockdown has created some low carbon habits-but these need to be locked in with infrastructure, incentives and norms. 

Now more so than ever the research conducted by CAST is relevant to understanding our changing behaviour, what benefit will come for our climate and how we harness change for the better. 

This week Welsh Government announced funding for a new 400 bed facility which will be built next to the University Hospital of Wales to help manage any potential increase in admissions caused by COVID-19. 

You can read Welsh Government's statement here:

Today I had had a meeting with Velindre alongside Julie Morgan MS and wanted to update you on our discussion. 

For some time I have been calling for an independent review of the clinical model to ensure patient safety and future-proofing was at the heart of a new Velindre development. I had called on the Welsh Government earlier this month to commission the review. Velindre recently announced that the health think tank, the Nuffield Trust has been appointed to “advise on the clinical model underpinning proposed improvements to Velindre’s cancer services”. I welcome the steps taken to obtain external input, however I have received a number of concerns from constituents in relation to the independence of this review which I raised with Velindre today. 

I have reaffirmed the crucial need for this review to be independent, robust, transparent and clinically led no matter what the outcome. I also raised the need for accountability measures when the recommendations are published- for example that the findings are made public and it’s important Welsh Government are made aware of the review’s findings. 

In our meeting, Velindre advised the following: 

-The review is set to be led by the Chief Executive of the Nuffield Trust, Nigel Edwards, who will establish a panel of oncology experts/clinicians. 

-The Nuffield Trust will set the terms of enquiry/remit and this will not be set by Velindre. 

-Nuffield will robustly test Velindre’s proposals with independent thinking. 

-Nuffield’s advice will address concerns raised about proposals to build the new centre in Cardiff North.

-Aim for the review to be finalised by the end of October. 

-Velindre has committed to publishing the review’s recommendations in the interest of transparency. 

-Reaffirmed that Velindre are taking the concerns very seriously and desire to give the best patient care. 

I have asked to sight the Terms of Reference which I will receive in due course which will hopefully clarify that all the concerns that have been raised will be included in the remit of the review and examined in detail. I have also sought a meeting with Welsh Government. 

Finally, I raised the issue of the divisive and abusive comments we are seeing on social media. There is no doubt that all of us want to see the best clinical cancer services for patients. Velindre agreed that there was no need for some of the abusive comments we have seen lately and wanted to be clear that they were not associated with any of the Facebook pages apart from their own official one.

As soon as I have any further updates I will share them. You can view my statement on why I've called for a review below. 

Over the summer I launched two surveys - one for constituents to find out their priorities and one for businesses to better under the impact of Covid and how I can support them. They will be closing shortly, so please take a few minutes to have your say!