I WRITE this as I return from another successful Labour conference that I believe set out a real road map for what could be achieved come 2015 and beyond.

What is clear at the moment is that in Gwent and across the country, too many people are treading water, working harder and harder just to stay afloat, worried that the next generation are finding it harder to get on than the last.

That’s why many of the measures being put forward by my party fill me with hope that this isn’t the way things have to be.

The £8 minimum wage is a good start. Labour brought the minimum wage into the country despite the bellyaching of those not willing to pay workers their fair share. Now even the Tories admit the minimum wage has fallen behind.

This substantial increase would force all those companies who have held back on passing on the profits for too long to stump up. Pay has stagnated under the Tories for far too long.

While health is devolved, any commitments from the Labour party of Westminster on the NHS should be welcome news. It is the absolute bedrock of our nation and deserves to be protected and rejuvenated.

Speaking of protecting the bedrock of our nation, it was a privilege to be able to campaign in Scotland and join all those who convinced Scotland to stay in the union.

As fellow Celts, we’ve always had an affinity with the Scots, so to lose them would, I believe, have been a real hammer blow to our nation. It was a feisty campaign to say the least and passions were high, but this was real proof that politics still matters to so many people.

Now it is up to everyone to get around the table and bash out a fair agreement that will work for all of us across the UK.

Finally, can I offer a hearty congratulations to Ebbw Valley Brass for their back-to-back national championships. Our musical heritage is well founded, but it is fantastic to see the band not only compete but excel on the big stage.

They are just one of the many talented teams in Gwent who prove the old traditions are still going strong.