I was delighted to see Andy Burnham elected as Labour’s UK leader, having nominated him, and taking up the reins as PM. He offers a plan for hope, and has already stopped off in Cardiff to hear people’s concerns and aspirations. I also pay tribute to the outgoing PM and leader Keir Starmer, not least for his bold international leadership including on Ukraine.
The weeks leading up to the recess have been busy.
Locally, I met the CEO of the Cardiff City FC Community Foundation to talk about the fantastic work they’re doing right across our communities. They are using the power of the club to support, inspire and bring people together off the pitch as much as on it.
In Cardiff Bay it was a pleasure to see the newly-unveiled statue of the late, great Rhodri Morgan, which stands on the ground rather than a plinth, reflecting how – as a politician and a person – he was open and approachable. It was great to see people stopping to get pictures and to pay tribute to a true legend of Welsh politics and devolution.
Rhodri was always kind and supportive to me and is sorely missed. It’s fitting that the statue overlooks the Senedd and the devolution journey he was an integral part of.
In my Ministerial role, it was a true honour to sign the UK’s historic treaty on Gibraltar with the EU’s Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, after working side-by-side with the Government of Gibraltar throughout negotiations. We were joined at the ceremony by Gibraltar’s Chief Minister and Foreign Minister.
The treaty delivers certainty for people and businesses, protects British sovereignty and military facilities, and has the backing of Gibraltar’s Parliament. It also opens a new chapter with the EU and Spain, supporting jobs, growth and prosperity on both sides of border, and deals with unfinished issues left by the last Government as a result of Brexit.
