Lee Waters MS

More terrific images from Natasha Hirst of the campaign in Llanelli All images Copyright Natasha Hirst

This column was published in the Llanelli Star on 22nd April 2016 Whatever happens over the next couple of weeks and months to our steel industry there is no doubt that the Llanelli constituency needs a long-term economic plan. In my day job running Wales’ most respected think-tank I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about the future of our economy. After a 100 years of decline there’s a lot to be done. But there is much we can do, and we can lead the way here in Llanelli. Firstly, we need to focus on our existing strengths. Llanelli born Professor Karel Williams - now a leading light at the highly-respected Manchester Business School - has done a lot of work on what he calls the ‘foundational economy’. He thinks we should be making the most out things that may seem everyday, but have potential to really help the local economy if developed in the right way. He suggests three areas: food production, energy production and the care sector. Around 40% of the workforce in bot...

This column was published in the Llanelli Star on 13th April 2016 If Port Talbot steelworks is forced to close the ripple effects will be huge. The Prime Minister must surely step in and save the British steel industry, which is essential not only for jobs but our defence industry and wider economy too. After all the annual cost of bailing out Tata steel would be £122 billion less than the 2008 banking bailout. Whatever happens over the next couple of weeks and months there is no doubt that the Llanelli constituency needs a long-term economic plan. In my day job running Wales’ most respected think-tank I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about the future of our economy. After a 100 years of decline there’s a lot to be done. But there is much we can do, and we can lead the way here in Llanelli. Terry Mathews, the man behind the Celtic Manor in Newport, has set out an excellent framework for the wider Swansea Bay region based on attracting the next wave of growth industries...

Joe Gallacher, the Works Manager at Trostre steelworks, is deeply committed to his industry. After spending ten years as the manager of the steelworks at Port Talbot, he has been overseeing Trostre for several years. He is surrounded by senior managers with long and rich experience of the trade. I mention this because when First Minister Carwyn Jones sat down with Joe Gallacher, his team, and senior trade union representatives, at the plant on Monday, it was clear that this team are passionate about their plant and its workforce.   While local MP Nia Griffith met with Business Secretary Sajid Javid in Westminster, Carwyn Jones and I updated the Trostre management and unions on his talks with the Prime Minister, David Cameron. Carwyn also took us through his talks with Liberty Steel tycoon Sanjeev Gupta. It was clear from the meeting that Carwyn Jones and Joe Gallacher will do all they can to save the works. The sale of the TATA steel plants throw up a range of chal...

I'm lucky to have three talented volunteer photographers to help me create a photograhpic record of my election campaign in Llanelli. Here are just a few from the last few days. Please note they own the copyright to the images. Credit: Natasha Hirst Credit:  Jamie Morris Credit:  Daniel Damaschin Credit:  Natasha Hirst Credit:  Jamie Morris Credit:  Daniel Damaschin Credit:  Jamie Morris Credit: Natasha Hirst Credit: Jamie Morris Credit:  Natasha Hirst Credit:  Daniel Damaschin Credit:  Daniel Damaschin Credit:  Daniel Damaschin And finally a photo of Jamie and Daniel by Natasha Credit:  Natasha Hirst And a photo of Natasha by Jamie They are each on Twitter: @HirstPhotos @danieldamaschin @rugbytog 

When the schools go back on Monday it will be clear to see from the increase in the number of cars on the road. Traffic around town, and especially onto the M4 at Hendy, has been a lot less congested during half-term, but it will be business as usual as the holidays end. Tailbacks are common as people from Hendy & Pontarddulais queue from one direction, and people from Llanelli queue from the other, to get on the M4 in the morning. This is bound to get worse with the plan for 750 new homes in Pontarddulais and 91 new homes in Hendy. With so many people from this area commuting to work in Swansea and Cardiff it is crucial that the bottleneck is eased. I’ve been discussing what can be done to help with Rebecca Evans, the Welsh Government Deputy Minister who is standing for Labour in Gower in next month’s Assembly elections. With Pontarddulais in the Gower constituency, and Hendy in the Llanelli constituency, it is vital that we work together. We have agreed to team...

This column was published in the Llanelli Herald on 1 April 2016 Lee Waters and Health Minister Mark Drakeford on a hospital ward in Llanelli (Photo: Alan Evans) I think the NHS is one of our greatest achievements as a country over the last 70 years, and one of our biggest challenges over the next 70. There have now been two major independent studies showing that the NHS in Wales is on par with other parts of the UK. Under strain, yes - but performing well, and providing excellent care in many areas. But over the next month we will hear endless attacks on it during the election campaign.  Some of the complaints will be valid.  I know from my own personal family experience there are shortcomings.  But we have to balance that against the enormous challenges that the NHS faces. Across the UK the health service is facing a very tough time. The reasons are well rehearsed - people are living longer, but often with health complications; medical advances and dr...