PARLIAMENT will most likely be dissolved for the General Election before my next Argus column, so this will most likely be my last one as an MP. I’d like to thank The Argus and its readers for their support during my 28 years as the Member of Parliament for Torfaen. Since I announced my decision to step down at the election, I am very grateful for the warm response I’ve had from people across Gwent.

It has been an honour and a privilege to represent my home seat in Parliament, and to be able to work with some amazing people – both the local people who give so much to our communities and inspirational characters like Mo Mowlam. I was proud to call Mo a friend as well as my boss in the Northern Ireland Office, as we worked towards building a lasting peace settlement. The memory of those long days and nights of negotiations will always stay with me, but so will the local aspects of being an MP – the community groups and events I’ve visited, the people who’ve shared their problems or concerns with me and the ups and downs of civic life in our valley.

I know politicians don’t always have the best reputations – sometimes deservedly so – but it’s people like Mo and the local heroes in every one of our communities that should give us hope. Because behind the headlines and the yah-boo of Prime Ministers Questions (which I won’t miss!) are people in Parliament, in our Assembly, in Councils, and in our communities, struggling in tough times to do their best for those they represent.

Some, of course, want to spread the alternative message of cynicism – that people are only in politics for themselves and no-one really cares about the problems people face. Under this Government, with people forced to turn to foodbanks or unable to afford to heat their homes in this day and age, I can see why people are frustrated.

But if I’ve learned one thing in my years in politics, it’s that the complex problems we face can’t be solved by cynical, shouty politics and scapegoating from the likes of UKIP. They say they preach ‘common sense’, but if you’ve read statements from some of their candidates recently, they speak nothing but uncommon nonsense! UKIP are not the solution to the problems we face, they just prey on disillusionment, offer false solutions and appeal to the very worst of human nature.

I have faith though that people in Gwent know that cynicism like that is just destructive and solves nothing. What we need is the election of MPs who believe in the values of fairness, public services and social justice, and who are willing to work hard to put injustices right. Our people deserve nothing less.