Latest news with #JessicaMorden
South Wales Argus
05-07-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
Newport seamstresses help female MPs celebrate suffrage
This event was a tribute to the women's suffrage movement, with each MP wearing a handcrafted suffragette sash, created by Newport seamstresses. The occasion marked the 97th anniversary of the Equal Franchise Act 1928, the legislation that granted women the right to vote on equal terms with men. The sashes, personalised with each MP's rank in the historical list of women elected to the UK Parliament, were designed in the iconic suffragette colours: purple, white, and green. Welsh seamstresses based at Re:Make, Newport with Deputy PM Angela Rayner MP, Jessica Morden, MP for Newport East, and Ruth Jones, MP for Newport West and Islwyn. (Image: Supplied) Centenary Action, a cross-party coalition, initiated the event to acknowledge the progress made since 1928 and to continue the campaign for a gender-equal Parliament by 2028. The organisation is led by Helen Pankhurst CBE, a prominent women's rights activist and a descendant of suffragette leaders Emmeline and Sylvia Pankhurst. Helen Pankhurst said: "This is the most women MPs we've ever had — a milestone worth recognising. "But celebration alone isn't enough. "We need real, sustained action to ensure we reach a truly gender-equal Parliament by 2028, when we mark the centenary of equal franchise." The seamstresses who crafted these sashes travelled from Wales to London to witness the culmination of their hard work. Their contribution was a reminder of the deep-rooted connection between Wales and the wider fight for women's rights in the UK. Lucy from Re:Make chats with one of the MPs receiving their sash. (Image: Supplied) The event was not just a commemoration of a significant milestone in British democratic history but also a celebration of the continued presence and influence of women in politics. Each sash represented a step forward on the journey towards gender equality in Parliament. Currently, there are 264 women MPs, out of a total of 694, indicating that there is still work to be done to achieve a truly gender-representative Parliament. Jessica Morden, MP for Newport East, with Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner. Both are wearing sashes with their own elected number on them. (Image: Supplied) Jessica Morden, MP for Newport East, said: "I was so proud today to see these sashes, which have been crafted by a group of incredibly skilled women at Re:Make in Newport East. "Seeing so many women MPs wearing their sashes together today was quite the moment. "It is a testament to how far we've come since the Representation of the People Act of 1928, which gave women over the age of 21 the right to vote. "The number 264 represents around 40 per cent of the total Members of Parliament. "This shows there is still much work to do to achieve a truly representative Parliament in which 50 per cent of MPs are women. "Thanks to the work of groups like Centenary Action, that goal will one day be realised." She also thanked Centenary Action for their efforts and the team at Re:Make for their dedication in crafting the sashes.
South Wales Argus
23-06-2025
- Health
- South Wales Argus
Boxing documentary screening uplifts Pillgwenlly community
The event is part of a screening of a new documentary on St Josephs boxing gym. 'A Beacon of Resilience' is a first-hand account of life for the young people who train at the gym and shows them striving to become the best version of themselves. St Joesph's is run by volunteers from the community who have helped the club become one of the most successful pro-am clubs in the UK. The documentary hopes to shine a light on these individuals. Pill Millennium Centre has pulled out all the stops for the screening, offering up popcorn and other refreshments for free so viewers can fully immerse themselves in the short film. Jessica Morden MP with members of Co-Power, University of South Wales, UK Research and Innovation and Pill Mill (Image: Supplied) The day is open to all members of the community and aims to shine a light on local achievements, diversity, and positive youth development, all while giving the residents a reason to come and enjoy themselves for the day. Pill Mill employee (and now popcorn maker) Phil Ottery, 46, said: 'We're getting more and more community events and more people coming in. The more frequent they get, the more people we can introduce to the centre. Phil started at the centre as a regular volunteer seven and a half years ago and is impressed by how popular their community events are becoming. He laughs as he says: 'Do you really want to know how busy it is? I've run out of candy floss within the first hour.' Volunteers and staff were able to try their hand at making candyfloss (Image: Supplied) These events serve to inspire and uplift the community, introducing them to people they would likely have never crossed paths with. The documentary project, headed by Dr Wendy Booth and Professor Florence Ayisi, will no doubt be close to the hearts of many Pillgwenlly residents. A lot of St Joseph's alumni through the years happen to be from Pillgwenlly, so it was a 'no brainer' to give these residents a chance for a first glance at the film. Dr Booth said: 'St Joesph's is diverse, as are the communities of Newport and Pill. 'I see that as a positive more than anything because its such a good place to be.'
South Wales Argus
14-06-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Catherine Fookes MP on Welsh public services funding
This is a clear example of two Labour governments in Westminster and the Senedd, working together to invest in our country's renewal and deliver for people across the UK. I know that many people across the UK are angry and fed up. After 15 years of Conservative underinvestment in our public services and infrastructure, Wales in particular, has been left underfunded for far too long, with the Welsh Government doing their absolute best to deliver for Wales, dealing with limited budgets and an uncooperative UK Government. Compare that with today, it's so encouraging to see the UK Government committed to working with our Welsh Labour Government and finally giving Wales the investment it deserves. I know some people across Monmouthshire are still angry and fed up, and rightly so. 15 years of neglect by the former UK Conservative Government can't be undone overnight. People want to see action and they want to see real change in their daily lives. I truly believe that with this new partnership between the UK and Welsh Labour Governments, we finally have the opportunity to start delivering that. One of the most exciting announcements from last week's Spending Review was the £450 million allocated to rail infrastructure in Wales. This gives us a once-in-a-generation opportunity to finally deliver a new train station in Magor and Undy – a project I've long supported alongside MS John Griffiths, MP Jessica Morden, Labour councillors on Monmouthshire County Council, and the Magor Rail Group. From knocking on doors and speaking with residents, I know how much this station means to our community. It would deliver greener, more reliable transport, ease congestion, and open up new job opportunities by better connecting us to the wider region. I've already raised the project in Parliament and held conversations with transport ministers, so I'm glad to see that this project could soon become a reality. I'll keep pushing to ensure Magor Walkway Station receives its share of this new funding and hope that we can get spades into the ground as soon as possible. But it's not just about transport. Wales will also benefit from £211 million each year for the next three years via a Growth and Community Fund, supporting our high streets, community centres, and investing in local regeneration. Other highlights from the Spending Review include: £80 million for green industries in Wales to drive the clean energy transition. £211 million a year for three years to support local growth and regeneration projects as a replacement to the Shared Prosperity Fund £118 million to maintain and make safe coal tips across Wales This is just the beginning. For the first time in a long time, we have two Labour Governments working hand-in-hand, and the benefits of that are being felt already. There's more cooperative decision-making, more fair funding, and more opportunity to deliver real, positive change for all of us across Monmouthshire. As your MP, I'll continue doing everything I can to make sure all of us here get our fair share of this investment. That means not only fighting your corner in Parliament, but also staying closely connected to your concerns and priorities at home. That's why I'm continuing to host regular face-to-face constituency surgeries to support residents with specific problems. I've also launched a series of 'Street Surgeries', where I visit different areas of Monmouthshire and go door-to-door to speak directly with residents and learn more about the issues you think we need to address. These conversations help shape the work me and my team do every week to support you – and I'll be continuing them over the coming months in every corner of Monmouthshire. Together, let's continue to build a stronger, fairer, greener Monmouthshire. But I can only do that by listening to you and working with you. If you have an issue or concern you think I can support you with, please don't hesitate to get in touch. You can email me at or call my office on 01291 200 139. Catherine Fookes is Member of Parliament for Monmouthshire.
South Wales Argus
03-06-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Letter: Newport not at forefront of industrial revolution
It was mainly private money that was the impetus, not like the nationalisation and never-ending government subsidies that have continued and are still continuing since the end of the Second World War. Although I concede that of necessity, at that time governments had to be involved with the restart of the economy. I note that the Welsh Government has an investment, or should that be another subsidy, of £7.5 million in their Flexible Skills Programme (Argus 22nd May) for training courses. Why aren't companies training more apprentices instead of relying on the taxpayers to fund those schemes? Perhaps Jessica Morden and her fellow Labour politicians should start asking, although they might not hear the answers they want, bearing in mind the present occupiers of Westminster. Newport
South Wales Argus
29-05-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
Police could destroy anti-social e-scooters within 48 hours
The UK Government has proposed stronger powers to seize and destroy vehicles used in anti-social driving. Currently, police have to wait 14 days before they can dispose of a vehicle, which makes it easier for offenders to reclaim their vehicles and continue offending. The new measures will allow police to fast-track the disposal of vehicles, and give them stronger powers to seize any vehicles involved in anti-social behaviour without issuing a warning. South Wales Police and Crime Commissioner, Emma Wools, said: "These new powers send a clear message to would-be offenders and local communities in Wales: swift justice will be delivered and anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated. "Sales of e-scooters and off-road bikes have rapidly increased, so today is an important step in tackling more serious crime in Wales, with the vehicles often used to facilitate drug dealing, organised acquisitive crime and serious violence." The news comes as Wales is set to benefit from over 150 new neighbourhood police officers by April 2026, with every neighbourhood having named, contactable officers from July next year. The four police forces in Wales will receive additional neighbourhood police officers and PCSOs within the next 12 months. Jessica Morden, Member of Parliament for Newport East, said: "I know today's measures will be welcome news for Wales and my constituents in Newport East, who regularly share their thoughts on the use of e-scooters with me – often a source of great anxiety in the city." "I introduced the E-scooters (Review and Awareness) Bill to the Commons in November last year, making the case that our legislation on the vehicles lags behind other countries, so today is a great step forward in ensuring legislation across the UK is keeping up."
