It’s time to take Assembly seriously

CURRENTLY I am in the process of undergoing a large spate of constituency surgeries in each and every part of the Aberconwy constituency.

One of the reasons I can do this is due to what Westminster describes as the ‘Conference Recess’ – a three week period during which the party conferences of Liberals Democrats, Labour and the Conservative Party can be held.

I see this period to get my surgeries on the road in addition to the weekly Friday surgeries held in my constituency office in Conwy.

Thus far a myriad of problems have been presented to me by constituents. What is clear though is the extent to which the issues raised are actually matters for the Welsh Assembly and often a direct result of decisions taken by the Welsh Government.

For example, the roadworks on the A55 (again), high levels of council tax and year in year out 5% increases, concerns about the health service in North Wales, issues surrounding education and complaints about the Arriva train service.

All of these are matters for the Welsh Government and as a Member of the Westminster Parliament I have much less influence on these matters than I would on matters reserved for Westminster such as tax, immigration or the benefits system.

I am obviously more than willing to get involved with these complaints – after all if a constituent raises a concern with me then I have an obligation to try and help even if key decisions are not within my remit.

However, there is also a crucial message for residents here. When we have a General Election in Aberconwy around two thirds of those who can vote will use their right. It should be higher but it’s above the UK average. When Welsh Assembly elections are held the number of people voting is around 40% to 45% - a huge difference.

Why? It’s clear from my surgeries that many of the issues that concern people are actually decided in Cardiff.

Whether we like that or not is neither here or there any longer – it is time to take the Assembly seriously and vote in similar numbers as we do for UK General Elections.

Wales 28 – 25 England. I am unsure whether there has ever been a braver victory. It was a magnificent result which gives real hope for progress from the so-called “group of death”.