Here's the latest Argus column by Torfaen MP Nick Thomas-Symonds:
AS A father, my children often keep me on my toes.
They’re naturally more interested in playing with their dad than they are in what I’ve been doing as an MP, so it helps keep your feet on the ground.
Seeing them also gives you a welcome perspective on political events.
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So I’m always keen to talk to local schools to get the views of other young people, and give them a chance to give their MP a good grilling!
I was pleased to be invited to take part in a video conference with the year six pupils from Garnteg Primary School recently.
Pupils asked lots of questions about life as an MP, but issues like the environment were at the forefront of their minds.
Plastic pollution was one issue we discussed, with the children impressively well-informed and keen for action on this vital issue.
Eight million tonnes of plastic are being dumped into the sea each year, killing marine life and suffocating our oceans.
If we don’t take action, the problem will only grow, as plastic consumption across the world rockets.
As well as recycling, where Welsh councils and the Welsh Government have made great strides in recent years, we urgently need to reduce our reliance on single-use plastics, for example using re-usable cups or bottles instead of disposable plastic ones.
It’s also good to see local companies in Torfaen taking a lead, like Capital Valley Plastics, who recycle polythene bags and turn them into quality products for the construction industry.
Focus on the issue in Parliament is important too.
So in Oral Questions to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, I raised the issue of biodiversity targets.
I asked: “Only about four per cent of the world’s oceans are protected. Although I hear what the minister just said about the aim to increase that, what work can we do with our overseas territories to increase that far more quickly, not least to have an overall target of reducing plastic in the oceans?”
Taking the lead of the inspirational Garnteg pupils, I will continue to raise the issue of plastic pollution and press the government to take action.
It will be great to be joined in Parliament by Ruth Jones following her election last week as the MP for Newport West.
Paul Flynn is quite an act to follow, but during the campaign Ruth showed herself to be genuine, warm-hearted and capable, and she shares Paul’s immense passion and energy for standing up for the people of Newport West.
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