The first days of Being Bridgend’s new MS...
ON FRIDAY, May 7, Sarah Murphy was announced as the new Member of the Senedd for Bridgend.
Her predecessor in the seat was Carwyn Jones, former First Minister.
As he announced he would step down, a selection process began and she was selected as Labour’s candidate in October 2019.
In a bid to secure election, she’s done things like introduce mindfulness, a strict 10pm bedtime, and given up drinking alcohol. But, she says she doesn’t see them as sacrifices.
Voting took place on Thursday until 10pm with the count the following day. She got the call from her agent – who is her partner Alex – to tell her she could go there around 6.30pm but couldn’t guess the result. Then, after he told her she had won and her majority, she made her way to the stage, her “beaming” smile hidden by her mask.
“You’re just bit stunned,” she said, remembering the walk to the stage.
Now officially Bridgend’s Member of the Senedd, Sarah has documented her first days in her new job.
Saturday
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On Saturday afternoon, once all the results were in, I was delighted to welcome Mark Drakeford and the new MS for Rhondda, Buffy Williams, to Porthcawl so we could celebrate our wins together.
As I turned the corner to walk to the meeting point, there were at least three photographers and it felt a little overwhelming but it’s such a buzz that I just got on with it.
Lots of people stopped to talk with us and take photos, and local florist AJ Guttridge Flowers gave Mark a beautiful bouquet to congratulate him.
Even though it can be nerve-racking talking to the media, I just always think to myself that I’m talking to my neighbour Bob.
I remember when I was seeking selection, I asked Mark Drakeford how he kept up the pace every day and he said he sleeps really well, as soon as his head hits the pillow he goes to sleep.
When I got selected, I made some life changes and I don’t drink any more, I make sure I’m asleep by 10pm and I do mindfulness, and make sure I eat properly. It’s because if I do all that I feel I’m operating at my best. I don’t see it as a sacrifice, I just like to start every day and get the most out of it.
Sunday
I was overwhelmed with messages on every social media app, two email addresses... there were so many. My family here, even those in America, there were so many.
One of my favourites was from a constituent called Jessica’s Dad. He sent me a photo of the Lego figures that she had created of Mark Drakeford and I. Jessica’s Dad told me that she had been very engaged with the campaign.
It’s lovely and such a wonderful feeling to get messages and support like that.
Monday
First was an interview with Claire Summers for BBC Radio Wales about being a new MS.
It doesn’t feel real in some ways but it did when I went to the Wales Live studio, and I’m doing Sharp End too. I realise I’m being put forward for lots of things, and I seem to be doing them with Plaid’s Luke Fletcher which is funny. It really has brought home to me how determined I am to do things for Bridgend and constituency first. I haven’t come into this for any reason other than to represent my constituency.
So it was straight up to Brackla Fields to meet with the “Save Our Fields” organiser, Alan Drury. Recently, the group has successfully campaigned to prevent a new school being built on the green space by working with Welsh Government and Carwyn Jones to find an alternative brownfield site. A huge achievement and I wanted to meet with Alan to discuss next steps for the community space.
Later, I went to the Senedd to be sworn in as a Member of the Senedd for Bridgend constituency. My Mam came with me as my guest and it was the proudest moment of my life. I am committed to bringing power closer to the people of Bridgend and Porthcawl, and this is just the beginning.
Tuesday
In between lots of induction meetings with the Senedd team, I popped into Bridgend town centre near my home to say hello to The Bridgend Mentoring Scheme Plus Scheme staff at The Zone. They have been tremendous throughout the pandemic ensuring people across the community are OK and have enough food and support. Now, I am pleased that they will be able to reinstate their incredible mentoring scheme providing positive role models to young children who were experiencing difficulties either at home or school.
I also stopped off at the Bridgend Indoor Market for some jam Welsh cakes from Bakestone’s Bridgend to take into the Senedd the next day.
Wednesday
This was a big day! I went to the Senedd to attend my first plenary meeting and had a group photo with all of the Welsh Labour MSs on the steps of the Senedd. The photos are fantastic but behind the scenes it took ages to get us all into position as we socially distanced.
All 60 MSs were on site for the first time together so there was a real buzz in the air in the corridors.
As with any first day at work, it was exciting and a bit intimidating as I found my way around and was shown to my new office.
Fortunately, I am not the only Welsh Labour newbie so Buffy Williams MS and Carolyn Thomas MS stuck together and also have the privilege of walking into the Senedd with Mark Drakeford, and sitting together in the chamber when Mark was re-elected as First Minister.
It’s strange being here, I have only ever seen Adam Price in real life once and that was years ago. Even seeing him walk in, I thought to myself “he’s off the telly” just because you don’t often see people from other parties, especially when campaigning for selection and then election.
Thursday
Back to working from home and having important meetings with the local Cwm Taf Morgannwg Health Board about the ongoing vaccine rollout and updates about cases in the area, which are thankfully remaining low. It was concerning to hear that there are still people who have not been contacted, or who have not attended their vaccine appointment, and steps are in place to try to reach them and encourage them to do so.
Our new Welsh Government Cabinet has also been announced and I am excited about all of the appointments, especially the creation of a Climate Change ministry.
Friday
I’m cracking on with lots of local issues and casework today.
I was previously communications manager and Parliamentary assistant to Cardiff North MP Anna McMorrin so I feel I’m in good stead to hit the ground running.
When I started working for Anna she had only been elected three weeks earlier, and it was such a surprise and life changing event for her. For around three months, it was just the two of us really and it was one of the best times of my life.
We were really making a difference.
I know now what needs doing and what can wait. I know because of everything going on with Covid that a constituency office can wait, but I understand how to recruit staff and which staff you need. I think my experience with Anna has helped me to prioritise things.
The biggest shock to the system is that in Westminster there are hundreds of MPs so you sort of get swallowed up and things are done via long chain emails but there’s only 60 of us so there’s nowhere to hide.
With the votes for Presiding Officer and deputy a few days ago, I was being directly contacted.
So many people have been in touch asking about further financial support for local businesses and piloting crowd events for local sports clubs.
As well as writing to the UK Government to ensure that the people laid to rest at Parc House burial ground are not exhumed, and raising ongoing concerns about the potential Women’s Residential Centre at Sunnyside House.
Saturday
I was back out on the doorstep campaigning for the Bridgend Town Council by-elections in Morfa and Oldcastle wards. It was great to chat to people and show that I won’t be a politician that they only see when there’s a Senedd election around the corner.
By the end of the week I already had about 250 email queries and 50 pieces of casework. It’s not just emails, I’m getting messages from constituents from their hospital beds and tagged on Twitter and Facebook.
The most important thing for me is to get them all in one place. I’ve been campaigning saying I will be available so I really want to be.
Sunday
I had my first Covid-19 vaccine at Raven’s Court in Bridgend. The staff were wonderful, and extremely safe and efficient. I recorded a video as I went in and it’s a mix of me being so happy and just being really overwhelmed. I ran the Bridgend Covid Support group which was 24/7 since last March.
We had such big spikes here in Bridgend, before Christmas we were one of the worst places in Wales and it was really, really dire so if you’d have told me this time last year I’d be getting my vaccine aged 34, I would have thought I’d been waiting years longer. It’s just incredible.