Hywel's monthly column from the Neath Port Talbot Guardian.
Please note that the Neath Port Talbot Guardian is no longer in publication.
2009
May 2009
The biggest issue facing us locally and throughout the country remains
the economy and the most important event relating to this in the last month
has been Chancellor Alistair Darling’s Budget.
April 2009
I believe one of the important duties of a Member of Parliament is to
speak up for and pay tribute to all of my constituents who give their lives
to ensure our safety, at home and abroad. Recently, one such constituent,
literally, gave his life: Corporal Dean John of Port Talbot was killed serving
in Afghanistan.
March 2009
The recent St David’s Day Debate in Parliament was dominated by the
economy, and quite rightly so, as there is nothing more important for the
people of Wales today.
February 2009
Twenty-five years ago next month we will be commemorating the anniversary
of the beginning of the year - long miners' strike.
January
2009
We begin every New Year with hopes of peace, health and prosperity and
this is especially so in 2009.
2008
December
2008
The big news in Parliament and throughout the country has been the Labour
Government’s decisive response to the global banking crisis.
November
2008
Barack Obama, the newly elected first black President of the United
States was never, given his colour and his humble beginnings, going to be 'the
likeliest candidate for this office'.
October
2008
Many constituents have spoken to me about their deep concerns about
the world financial crisis and how this affects their jobs, pensions and
mortgages.
September
2008
Much has been written in the press recently about the possibility of
a recession in this country.
August
2008
I am not a Member of Parliament who normally seeks controversy.
July
2008
I was very pleased to speak at an event in Port Talbot last week which
is close to my heart.
June
2008
Denise Williams from Port Talbot is one of the unsung heroes of the
National Health Service.
May 2008
In my last Guardian article I urged readers to use their vote on May
1.
April
2008
Welsh Questions in Parliament is a unique opportunity for Welsh MPs
to highlight developments in their constituencies.
March
2008
I always try to be present for the Budget and this year Labour MPs made
a special effort to attend to support the new Chancellor Alistair Darling.
February
2008
One of the most important aspects of being a Member of Parliament is
to scrutinise Government Ministers and to hold them to account.
January
2008
One of the reasons why politics turns people off is the way in which
politicians attack each other – often on a personal basis.
2007
September
2007
I overheard a conversation on a Cwmafan bus-stop recently.
