This month is LGBT+ History Month – a time to reflect on how far we’ve come in the fight for LGBTQ+ equality and to celebrate those whose contributions have too often been erased from history. I have campaigned for LGBTQ+ equality long before I was elected and, even now, I remain one of the few voices in our Senedd who can speak from personal experience. Alarm bells are ringing all around the world – and sadly closer to home – with LGBTQ+ rights under attack.
In the Senedd last week, I sponsored Unite the Union’s LGBT+ History Month 2025: Activism and Social Change event – the evening brought together trade unionists, activists and allies. It was a powerful reminder of why it’s so important to stand together, to champion unity over division, inclusion over exclusion and hope over hate. Earlier in the month, I had the privilege of attending an LGBT+ History Month reception with Pride Cymru at the Senedd, where speakers highlighted the anniversary of Cardiff’s first Pride march. It made me think of how proud I was to witness the first-ever Pride march in Flint just last year – a milestone for our community.
I’m pleased to see the Welsh Government taking a significant step forward in strengthening social partnership with the establishment of the Social Care Workforce Partnership – the first of its kind in the UK. This initiative brings together government, employers and trade unions to build on the promise of a real living wage for care workers, reinforcing the commitment to those who look after our most vulnerable people. One of the partnership’s key priorities, recognition agreements and trade union access, is something I have been keen to promote. Ensuring unions have a voice in the sector not only supports workers but also strengthens the sustainability of social care itself.
I’ve spent most of my working life fighting for a fairer deal for workers, so I very much welcome the improvements to workers’ rights in the Employment Rights Bill. For too long, unfair practices, job insecurity and a system rigged in favour of bad bosses have gone unchecked. But now we have a real chance to change that. This legislation is a significant step forward, but it’s just the beginning – the full New Deal for Workers must be implemented now as well.
Back in Flintshire, on Friday I had the chance to visit Greenfield Valley in Holywell and met with members of the Greenfield Valley Trust to discuss plans to make the attraction one of the top 10 destinations in North Wales and bring more visitors to the valley’s green spaces. The trust wants to transform areas around the valley’s picturesque lakes, streams, parks and ancient monuments as well as the museum, tearooms and bistro. Greenfield Valley comprises 70 acres of woodland and 2,000 years of history, so it’s well worth a visit for tourists and local residents alike – a visit to the valley could also include nearby St Winefride’s Well and Chapel, believed to be the oldest continually visited pilgrim site in Britain.
Finally, local residents might already know that work is taking place on the A494 between the New Brighton Shell garage roundabout and the Alltami traffic lights at night, between 7.30pm and 6am, to undertake resurfacing works. The road isn’t being closed but there is likely to be delays if you’re going that way – the work is supposed to be completed by February 21st.
The A494 River Dee Bridge in Queensferry has also been in the news recently as the Welsh Government has launched a consultation due to the fact that the bridge is in poor structural condition and needs replacing. The government has looked at a range of options which ensure the road is suitable for cars and goods vehicles as well as pedestrians, bikes and public transport – nearly 70,000 vehicles cross the bridge every day and it’s very much seen as the gateway to North Wales. To have your say on the schemes being considered, go to www.gov.wales/a494-river-dee-bridge-replacement-scheme – the consultation closes on March 4.
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.