Plus: An Attack That Shocked Us All

John,
Just over two weeks ago we were about to start a cabinet meeting in Bristol when we heard the awful news...
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Parliamentary colleague David Amess had been brutally stabbed to death whilst holding a constituency surgery. As was the case with Jo Cox a few years before, this had a chilling impact on all of us, but especially on the families and staff of MPs who understand that politics has its combative elements but who do not for a minute think that life could ever be endangered. I have taken a long term interest in violence and intimidation in public life and its impact on democracy. We all know of good people who would be an asset to our elected institutions but who are increasingly less inclined to step forward. So in defending “free speech” we must balance that against the risk such intimidation creates.

We are in the process of introducing the Online Harms Bill, as much of the responsibility for ensuring civilised debate lies with the social media companies who hitherto haven't exactly been that bothered about the effects - be they addictions, anxieties or worse - that their platforms can facilitate.

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During Covid we moved to a more “zoom-based” form of surgery. These have worked well and saved residents the need to travel to Whitland so we will persist for the time being. All other public engagements remain largely as per normal.
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Talking of Covid it seems that here in the West we now are experiencing our highest rates so far in the pandemic, proving that no-one in authority is really able to claim they have it cracked. The fact that Welsh Government has imposed longer lockdowns and more stringent “plan b” style restrictions and yet ended up with worse rates than England is not (before anybody reaches for the reply button) incompetence on their part. It is confirmation that Covid is not easily tameable and that when all is said and done, vaccinations are the best way of curtailing its advance and its effect.
It's Budget Time
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On a more cheery note - last weeks’ budget, delivered with the usual polish and panache that are the hallmarks of Rishi Sunak’s treasury, had much to be upbeat about.
The press had of course been hoping for gloom and despondency to be the central feature yet the reality was a story of hope and optimism.

Unemployment down, borrowing down and productivity up. We are now the fastest growing economy in the G7 and in that context Rishi was able to hike up public sector pay, provide tax reliefs for those in work on Universal Credit and cut fuel and beer duty.
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Levelling Up in action...
As part of the levelling-up agenda we have seen the biggest cash uplift in Wales for 25 years. An additional £2.5 billion pounds (now totalling over £18bn) to fund all those things that Welsh Government undertakes - schools, hospitals and roads for example.

So what does that mean locally? In short, UK Government will now be funding multi million pound improvements to Haverfordwest and Pembroke town centres, to create a new community hub of activity in Carmarthen as well as fund the long awaited Carmarthen to Llandeilo cycle way

Visiting Cllr Hazel Evans (Cabinet Member for Transport) Emlyn Dole (Leader of the Council), and Jonathon Edwards MP – at the start of the new Towy Valley Cycle route to be funded by Levelling Up fund

We are putting in over £500 million into an adult numeracy and literacy programme (did you know that poor numeracy makes it twice as likely that you will be unemployed?) so that your postcode shouldn’t define your life chances. We are funding the first ever Veterans Commissioner for Wales to look after the interests of 140,000 former service men and women who reside in our country and to whom we owe so much.

We are investing in net zero technology in Pembroke Dock and releasing more cash for improved broadband (everywhere). If I sound upbeat, it’s because I am, but neither am I blind to the challenges either. These things will take time to take effect, not everyone will benefit and the economic sands will always shift under our feet.

But I hope you will agree that it’s a start, a boost we all need and our route out of Covid...
P.S. If you would like to keep up with the Conservative Party locally, click the button for our Facebook page:
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