MS looks forward to return to role
WELSH Conservatives are looking forward to being back in the Senedd.
Dr Altaf Hussain joined Bridgend Conservative council leader Tom Giffard and were both elected as regional members in this month’s vote.
Dr Hussain was a member of the Welsh Assembly, as it then was, from 2015 to 2016. He said: “I really enjoyed my time as an Assembly Member and it was a great privilege to serve not just my home community but also the wider area within South Wales West.
“Although I have had five years away, many of the issues that were raised with me then will also be of concern today. As a doctor, I am particularly worried about the long delays now facing people who need NHS surgery and treatment.
“While the Covid crisis has worsened the situation, there were already long waiting times for some operations especially orthopaedic procedures for many years before. We will need a massive push to reduce these waiting lists and times and I hope that my experience of working within the Welsh NHS will be of benefit to the Senedd.”
Cllr Giffard represents the Brackla Ward on Bridgend council and also serves on Brackla Community Council where he is currently mayor. He lives with his partner Sadie.
Cllr Giffard, who is chair of the education scrutiny committee at Bridgend council, said that he had worries about the impact of the long school closures on educational standards and attainment levels.
“The situation has been similar throughout all the nations of the UK,” he said. “But Wales already had the lowest levels of attainment in maths and science in the UK so I will be pressing Welsh Government on their plans for the catchup in education. There is a lot to do but I am looking forward to playing a constructive part in seeing Wales through the pandemic and into the recovery.”
ROB Howley is looking forward to a return to the Principality Stadium this summer and insists he has worked his way through the painful fallout from the betting scandal that saw him sent home from the World Cup in shame.
Howley, Wales assistant to Warren Gatland at the time, was sent home in disgrace and banned from rugby for 18 months, nine of which were suspended, after breaking betting rules.
It was an episode that took an immense toll on the former Lions scrumhalf, who admits he hid himself away as Wales went on to earn a semifinal berth before falling to eventual winners South ing the prospect of seeing some familiar faces once again.
“I’m just delighted for the players really. They have the opportunity to play in the best stadium in the world in the Principality Stadium and against Wales,” he goes on.
“They’ll be missing the Lions but, in terms of strength in depth, Wayne Pivac has given a number of those players an opportunity in the autumn.
“The script, playing against Wales first game back, you couldn’t write it really.
“But it’s something to look forward to. Personally, it’s great to be back involved in rugby and coaching again.”