We can be Isle of Opportunity
IUSUALLY write these articles from my office in Parliament but now that we have risen for the summer recess it is a pleasure to be able to write this week’s article from my constituency office here on Ynys Môn. Throughout August I will be working from my office on Stanley Street in Holyhead and meeting constituents, businesses and community groups across our beautiful island. If you would like to meet with me, or if you need my help or know of anyone who could use my help, then please do not hesitate to contact me.
For over two decades the people and communities of Ynys Môn have endured an economic decline that should never have been allowed to happen. Despite all the promises of devolution our island is now the most dependent local authority on tourism throughout the entire UK. Additionally, according to the ONS, Ynys Môn has amongst the lowest average wages of anywhere in the UK. These facts are unforgiveable. I will not rest until our young people no longer feel the only way to pursue a well-paid skilled career is to leave the island, which they do at such detriment to the local culture and viability of the Welsh language. Our island is an island of vast economic potential and I am determined that this potential be unlocked.
As the UK leads the world in transitioning to a carbon neutral economy by 2050, Ynys Môn can play a central role in our drive towards decarbonisation. Wylfa Newydd is key to meeting the UK’s legally binding emissions targets and will bring thousands of highly skilled and well-paid jobs to our island. Since I was elected as your MP, I have been fighting for the successful delivery of Wylfa Newydd and two weeks ago I met with Alok Sharma, the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, to further promote the positive case for its construction. On Monday I had a meeting with the Prime Minister to discuss the Government’s levelling-up agenda and how it will benefit constituencies such as ours. I reiterated, as I do every time I meet with the PM, how important Wylfa Newydd is to the island, to the whole of North Wales and to our goal of achieving our net zero carbon target by 2050. He committed to taking big, bold actions to help coastal communities like Ynys Môn. During our conversation I was delighted that he gave me top marks for being the MP with the most consistent record of lobbying on behalf of constituents. My persistence is something that the Government is getting used to.
Whilst the development of an energy mix that prioritises renewable energy, such as offshore wind and tidal power production, is vital, I strongly believe nuclear must be a key component of that mix. Not only does nuclear power offer greater reliability, it is key to our future energy security. The escalating tensions with Iran in the Straits of Homuz and political instability in oil-producing nations in the Middle East and West Africa, along with Venezuela, highlight the urgency with which we need to develop our domestic capacity to guarantee our energy security.
There are two important dates approaching in relation to Wylfa Newydd. We expect to hear whether the Development Consent Order will be granted in September and in the Autumn the Government will release its Energy White Paper. I look forward to reporting back to you on these developments.
Another opportunity to deliver new jobs and opportunities is the securing of Freeport Status for Holyhead. Freeport Status for the town would represent an enormous opportunity in terms of much needed investment and job creation. Stena Line, the Holyhead Port authority, has stated that such status could bring “immediate opportunities.” Attracting new businesses to Holyhead would, I believe, help not just the town but the whole of Ynys Môn and North Wales.
With the UK’s departure from the EU secured, the United Kingdom can now look forward to agreeing trade deals with economies across the globe. With Freeport status Holyhead could play a leading role in ensuring that the UK can capitalise on those agreements.
In addition, with the Government setting 2050 as the legally binding date by which the UK economy must be carbon neutral, the development and manufacture of green energy technologies is going to be not only central to the UK’s economic development. Holyhead’s proximity to renewable energy projects, such as tidal and offshore wind electricity production, as well as the potential development of Wylfa Newydd, means that it is ideally located to support the UK’s global trade in green energy technology.
I have been lobbying Ministers to secure Freeport Status for the town and in February I asked constituents to complete the Government’s online Freeports consultation. This consultation closed just last week and the feedback is currently being analysed. I will continue to pressure the Government to allow Ynys Môn, along with the whole of North Wales, to benefit from the opportunities that Freeport status can deliver.
There is much work to be done and many challenges lie ahead but, together, we can reverse the decades of economic decline that have been so painful to endure.
We can ensure that young people no longer need to move away to pursue well-paid careers and, in so doing, we can protect the island’s precious Welsh language and culture. Together, we can transform Ynys Môn into an island of opportunity.
‘Rwyf wrthi’n dysgu Cymraeg, ac mi fuaswn yn gwerthfawrogi eich cymorth, ynghyd a’r cyfle i gael ymarfer.
Pan fydd y cyfyngiadau ar symud trosodd, a petaech yn fy ngweld o gwmpas Ynys Môn, a fuasech mor garedig a fy nghyfarch yn y Gymraeg.
Diolch o galon.