Well, despite Parliament being undemocratically prorogued by the Prime Minister on Monday, I’ve had a very busy week in Westminster and across Swansea East. It is scandalous that Boris Johnson has chosen to shut down Parliament at this crucial time for our country but I will continue to hold the government to account in any way that I can on behalf of constituents.
On Monday, I kicked off the week by visiting Care for the Family in Newport with Newport West’s fantastic new MP, Ruth Jones. Care for the Family is a national charity which aims to promote strong family life and provide support to those who face family difficulties. Whether it be through parenting, relationship and bereavement support or through their events, resources, courses, training and volunteer networks, they provide invaluable advice and practical support to people who are struggling. It was great to be able to meet the team in Newport and to learn more about the brilliant work they are doing there.
On Tuesday, I was pleased to visit the Treasures Foundation, who offer supported housing to women with a history of addiction, homelessness, those who have left prison and other potentially vulnerable individuals. During my visit, I met with some of the women who have lived in some of the properties managed by the foundation and heard about their experiences on the programmes run within them. It’s always really positive to see really good, grassroots work going on to support women who really need it. It was clear that some of the strategies being used by the foundation would prove to be effective within other communities across the UK. Thank you to the fantastic Treasures Foundation team and to the brilliant women who gave up their time to meet with me – I really appreciate it.
Later on Tuesday, I attended the launch of the Co-op’s important new campaign: It’s Not Part Of The Job. 115 shopworkers are attacked or verbally abused every day – something that nobody should ever have to face in their workplace. These workers help us to go about our everyday lives and through this campaign we’re able to send a strong message that all forms of abuse are completely unacceptable. I’ll be continuing to work closely with the Co-op to ensure this campaign delivers the change we desperately need for shopworkers.
This morning, I was delighted to attend Wales’ first ever victim-led domestic abuse conference at the Celtic Manor in Newport. Alongside colleagues from Parliament, the Welsh Assembly, and the First Minister of Wales, Mark Drakeford AM, we heard survivors’ experiences of domestic abuse and were updated on the latest research as to how we can rid our society of this scourge once and for all. Local residents will know how frustrated I have been that Boris Johnson’s decision to prorogue Parliament has meant the landmark Domestic Abuse Bill has fallen. We have now thankfully had a reassurance from the Prime Minister that this will be brought forward in the upcoming Queen’s Speech but the delay the shutdown of Parliament has caused is frankly contemptible given the length of time the victims of domestic abuse have already had to wait for action. At today’s conference, it was really positive to hear the First Minister reaffirm his commitment for Wales to be a world-leader on this issue by stating: “there is no place for violence and intimidation in Wales”.
I’d better dash because I’ve got to get some last minute training in for tomorrow’s Gower MacMarathon! I’ll be joining thousands of people from across Swansea and beyond to complete the 14 mile hike around the Gower Peninsula in support of the invaluable work the wonderful people at MacMillan Cancer Care do week in, week out. I’ll be sure to let local residents know how I did next week!
As always, if you have any issues or concerns to raise with me as your local MP, please get in touch with me by emailing Carolyn.harris.mp@parliament.uk or by calling my constituency office on 01792 462 054.
I hope you all have a fantastic weekend!
