It was a busy week at the Senedd last week in the run-up to the Easter recess – not least because we bade farewell to one First Minister and welcomed in another. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Mark Drakeford for his service as First Minister for the last five years and for leading Wales during the pandemic, one of the most challenging periods of our nation’s long history. It was a privilege to serve in Mark’s government and, as a proud trade unionist, to have led on the most progressive piece of legislation of the devolution era when it comes to empowering worker’s voices – the Social Partnership and Public Procurement (Wales) Act 2023, which creates the framework to promote the well-being of the people of Wales by enhancing sustainable development through social partnership working and promoting fair work for all. Diolch o galon Mark!
Of course, it was also a week where Wales has seen a new First Minister – Vaughan Gething – take up the reigns. I’m looking forward to getting stuck in to an expanded brief covering some crucial areas of the economy and my commitment remains, as always, to serving our communities, this constituency and the country.
Back closer to home, I’d also like to congratulate Fran Lister on her triumph in the Brynford and Halkyn council by-election – llongyfarchiadau! Fran will be a fantastic community champion for the residents of Brynford and Halkyn and an excellent councillor for Flintshire – someone whom I will be pleased to work with to make a difference locally.
Every year in March we mark International Women’s Day and, over the past few weeks, I have attended a number of events. Recently I was pleased to host Wales TUC Cymru at the Senedd to celebrate the role that trade unions are playing in empowering women, both in workplaces and in Wales and, earlier in the month, an Equal Power Equal Voice mentee, Sara, shadowed me for the day and joined in at the International Women’s Day Roundtable event in the Senedd. Women were fundamental to the foundations of devolution and are the backbone of our economy. When women have decent and dignified work, our communities, our economy and our country benefit and the trade union movement plays a pivotal role in enabling and empowering women. You can see me making a statement in the Senedd about International Women’s Day on my Facebook page at www.facebook.com/HannahBlythynForDelyn.
This week is the beginning of the Easter holidays and there a plenty of things going on for families in Flintshire, from the Easter Fun Day in Mold on March 30, the Holywell Easter Market on March 28 to an Easter egg hunt at Flint Castle on March 31. It’s also worth remembering that both Asda and Sainsburys are offering kids’ meals for as little as £1, which also includes a piece of fruit. Plus, Oriel Glasfryn’s spring 2024 exhibition kicks off on April 5th and features many Welsh artists, sculptors and ceramicists. I’ll be sharing lots of what is happening locally on my Facebook page.
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 until an advice surgery.