Jayne Bryant MS: ‘Chartist principles as relevant now as they were in 1839’

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Jayne Bryant, who represents Welsh Labour, is one of six Senedd Members serving the Casnewydd Islwyn constituency.

This month people of all ages have come together for Remembrance commemorations. At the Risca community Remembrance service, we gathered in the Moriah Church to honour all those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.

It was a privilege to lay a wreath at St Fagan’s Museum where the Newbridge War Memorial now sits. The march to the memorial was led by the wonderful Celtic Pipers and included local schoolchildren, councillors Gary Johnston, Adrian Hussey and MP Ruth Jones. Huge thanks to Newbridge Royal British Legion for organising, and for everything they do all year round.

We have also been commemorating the 187th anniversary of the Chartist uprising. The history of Blackwood, Risca, Newport and the Gwent Valleys, and its people, are at the very heart of our modern democracy. It was fantastic to join hundreds of people on the annual torchlit march which followed the final footsteps of the Chartists to Newport’s Westgate Hotel. The Chartist principles of striving for better, coming together as a collective, and working to improve the place we live are as relevant now as they were in 1839.

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Our public transport and road infrastructure must meet the needs of local people. Whilst there were fewer cancellations for a short period on the Ebbw Vale line, this improvement has not been sustained. I recently joined a constituent on her regular commute, and although there were three carriages running rather than the usual two, the train was still seriously overcrowded. This is not good enough and I will keep pushing Transport for Wales and the Welsh Government to act.

Since the summer, the Welsh Labour Senedd Group has engaged in constructive conversations with the Plaid Cymru government about the supplementary budget. It was agreed for the budget to pass following negotiations that secured £60 million for ALN, but we will continue to fight for more money for ALN and young people as we continue to negotiate ahead of next year’s budget. There’s more work to do, and we’re aware that teaching unions continue to raise issues of both funding and pay with Welsh Government.

It is also a difficult time for our NHS workforce. I have spoken with midwifery and physiotherapy students about the challenges for newly qualified graduates, including the lack of NHS roles across Wales. The Welsh Government must address these workforce challenges and ensure talented graduates have opportunities to build their careers in our NHS.

I hold regular resident advice surgeries across the constituency. Please get in touch with my office for details of upcoming locations. Remember you don’t need to wait for a surgery to speak to me and my team. If you have any concerns, issues or questions related to the Senedd, please do not hesitate to get in touch at any time. You can email me at Jayne.Bryant-MS@senedd.wales or call 01633 376627.

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