I CAMPAIGNED vigorously for the UK to remain in the EU but as a democrat I respect the decision of the British people.

I shall, along with my Welsh Labour colleagues demand that the promises of those who led the leave campaign such as Boris Johnson and Nigel Farage are kept.

Wales should not lose a single penny of promised funding when the UK leaves the EU.

Equally, we cannot allow the recent referendum to unleash hate and bile pitting one community against another.

That is not the British or the Welsh way.

I was honoured to be the first Assembly Member elected in May 2016 to hold a short debate in the National Assembly for Wales.

I chose as the topic of my debate; 21st Century Schools: more than a building programme.

As a former teacher and cabinet member for education on Caerphilly borough council it was a subject close to my heart.

The Welsh Labour Government is justifiably proud of its 21st Century schools programme.

Welsh Government plans to invest £700 million between 2014-15 and 2018-9.

-funded by local authorities, this would result in £1.4 billion capital investment in schools and colleges in Wales.

Very recently I donned my own hard hat and wellies to tour the rapidly emerging Islwyn High School in my constituency.

As part of the programme Caerphilly County Borough Council announced in 2013 that both Oakdale and Pontllanfraith comprehensive schools will close in 2016.

Pupils from both schools will transfer to a brand new purpose built state of the art £25 million school to be built on the plateau 3 site within the Oakdale Business Park.

I invited a number of children from both Oakdale and Pontllanfraith comprehensives to accompany me on my visit.

What I saw in their eyes was a genuine appreciation of the possibilities that lay before them in a magnificent environment that their community wants them to embrace.

It has been a busy time and I have raised a number of important issues in the Senedd for Islwyn including engaging commitment to the re-opening of Cwmcarn Forest Drive.

I was gratified to see the Minister Alun Davies launching a Valleys Task Force give the Welsh Government’s clear commitment to that aim.

The quality of life to my constituents matters greatly to me and this is why I joined the Lower Sirhowy Valley Residents - submitting 700 letters of objection to Natural Resources Wales at the prospect of granting a permit that would see increased levels of Nitrogen Dioxide pollution in Wattsville and Cwmfellinfach.

I could not finish without mentioning how proud we all are of the Welsh football team.

It has truly brought our nation together at a time when standing together has never been more important.