Local residents will know all too well that Flintshire has its challenges as far as transport is concerned, which is why I’ve organised a public transport forum this Friday at Flint Town Hall. I will be joined by representatives from Network Rail, Transport for Wales, Arriva Bus, Flintshire County Council, Avanti West Coast, Unite the Union and Sustrans to discuss plans for rail, bus and ticket reform and to make representations as to how our public transport system should look here in Flintshire. The event will start with a panel discussion at 1pm before a Q&A and stalls for members of the public to pick up more information from representatives – you can book your free ticket to the event at www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/hannah-blythyn-ms-public-transport-forum-tickets-911887960437.
The weekend saw the Welsh Labour Conference in Llandudno and I had the opportunity to speak at two events aimed at attracting women to roles in public life. The Charter for Women event on Saturday was a panel discussion on encouraging a diverse range of women to stand for selection for the 2026 Senedd election and, after that, I spoke at the Trade Union Women into Power event at Venue Cymru, an event which discussed how the soon-to-be-enlarged Senedd is an opportunity for more women from the trade union movement to take up a role in Welsh politics and consider practical ideas to ensure that the working-class women of the movement step up and bring their skills into the Senedd.
A more diverse Senedd was something that was discussed in the Siambr last week – representation in the Senedd doesn’t just change the face of our politics, it changes the focus of it as well. One of the reasons I chose to stand in the Senedd in the first place was that it was much more representative that elsewhere. As an out lesbian, I’m very much in the minority in the Senedd still and I’d like to see that diversity grow in the next Senedd. I asked the Welsh Government about what conversations with all political parties are taking place for a commitment not just to agree in principle, but to implement in practice, part three of the guidance around voluntary gender quotas. You can see my contribution to the debate on my Facebook page at www.facebook.com/HannahBlythynForDelyn.
Members took part in an Annual Remembrance Debate in the Senedd last week and, during the debate, I paid tribute to the work of Flintshire War Memorials, which was established by Viv and Eifion Williams and supported by a team of wonderful volunteers and researchers like Mavis Williams. Through Mavis’ work, I have learnt more about my own family – James and John Brockley enlisted together to the 8th Battalion Royal Welch Fusiliers in World War I, with their brother Harold following after James was killed, and Roger and Arthur Brockley served in World War II, where only Arthur came home. My namesake and great nana ‘Rose’ Hannah lost an older brother in one war and a younger in another.
For very many years my great uncle Tom was a familiar face at Remembrance Services in Connah’s Quay – Private Thomas Edward Oldfield served in the Royal Army Service Corps and was part of the D-Day landings at Arromanches. Tom sadly passed away aged 97 in September this year and it was a privilege to pay tribute to him in the Senedd. I was reflecting that when I first took part in remembrance services, many veterans had fought in World War II, but that’s not the case today – which is why we must continue to remember them every year.
Regular readers will know about my commitment to do all I can to support the process to create a new national park for North East Wales – I truly believe it could bring significant benefits to our region, highlighting the natural beauty and rich offerings we have here. It’s crucial that communities feel engaged and informed about the proposal so I want to remind readers that there is only one month left to take part in the consultation process – it closes on December 16. You can find out more information and give your views at https://ymgynghori.cyfoethnaturiol.cymru/north-east-gogledd-ddwyrain/waless-national-park-proposal-public-consultation.
As always, if you would like advice and/or support, please don’t hesitate to get in touch on any of the following contact details – 52 High Street, Mold, Flintshire, on 01352 753464 or by email hannah.blythyn@senedd.wales. You can also keep up to date via my Facebook page – www.facebook.com/HannahBlythynForDelyn. Constituents are, of course, welcome to contact my office to arrange an appointment to see me, you don’t need to wait for an advice surgery.