“For too long, these communities have been abandoned and wealth has been extracted out of our area. Which is why one of my priorities is to ensure that the wealth made here stays here.”
By Beth Winter MP
On a day like today, looking over these beautiful valleys, it takes your breath away. But there is so much more to these communities than this picture presents. For those of us who live in these valleys, we know that the reality for far too many people is hardship, unemployment, poverty and economic insecurity. But these problems are not insurmountable.
I grew up in these valleys and I inherited from my parents and grandparents tales of what these communities have achieved. How a group of miners, through this system of mutual care, went on to inspire our country’s greatest achievement the creation of the NHS. How ideas born of hardship and struggle led to the form of the trade union movement and the Labour Party itself. These ideas were born out of a fight for justice by hard work. Working people who barely saw the rewards of their labours and their legacy lives on, inspiring people around the world today. Inspiring me.
My name is Beth Winter and if you elect me as your Labour Party candidate, you will be voting for someone who is from this valley, who lives in the valley, and who loves this community, and who firmly believes that the fight we’ve inherited from our far is far from over. I believe in this community and I believe that the answer to our problems lie in this community.
My job is to listen. And that’s why my constituency office is always open, is welcoming and is a hub of activity. So when I’m speaking in Parliament, I’m speaking for the people of the valleys. For too long, these communities have been abandoned and wealth has been extracted out of our area. Which is why one of my priorities is to ensure that the wealth made here stays here.
In 2021, I commissioned the Bevan Foundation to undertake research into how we can create a thriving, prosperous local economy. And that’s why I’m working in partnership with the public, private and third sector to turn this research into reality. One of these realities was to establish a Trades Council for Rhondda Cynon Taf, which has been a phenomenal success. As well as this, we must invest to unlock the full natural wealth of our values. By investing in green technology and sustainable infrastructure, we can make these valleys a place which can create and sustain the green new jobs for the future.
By drawing on the past. The future is ours to win. Let’s harness the spirit and creativity of our people. Because if we do, I believe we will be at the forefront of change. Again. Forwards we go. Ymlaen รข Ni.
- This is a published version of Beth Winter MP’s campaign launch – you can watch the launch video here.
- Beth Winter is the MP for Cynon Valley and a regular contributor to Labour Outlook, you can show support for her campaign on Facebook, Instagram and twitter.
