There's never been a more turbulent time to get involved in politics - and Newport's new MP Ruth Jones is under no illusion about the scale of the challenge ahead of her. She spoke with IAN CRAIG
RUTH Jones was elected to succeed Paul Flynn, who represented Newport West from 1987 until his death in February, earlier this month.
And just days after the vote she was on the train down to Westminster, where she was sworn in and took her seat as the newest member of Parliament.
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"It's been a bit of a whirlwind," she said. "There's a lot to take in and a lot to get the hang of.
"But my colleagues in the Labour Party have been very supportive and I've had fantastic support from the people of Newport West, with lots of messages of congratulations, so that was great.
"It sent me off on a bit of cloud on Monday morning."
During the by-election campaign Mrs Jones said she was keen to see more police recruited in Newport. And she said this was a pledge she had already begun working on.
"I've spoken to (Gwent police and crime commissioner) Jeff Cuthbert, and we're setting up a meeting in the next week or so with him and the chief constable," she said.
"Obviously I want to help them, but I need the facts and figures from them.
"But there's lots of other things I want to look at as well - Universal Credit, the impact that austerity is having on people in Newport West, social justice, things like that are important areas for me.
"It's also getting out and meeting people - I know I am a new face. Paul Flynn was there for 32 years and had a great reputation."
Newport West MP Ruth Jones speaking at the Welsh Labour conference. Picture: Welsh Labour
And she pledged to represent all the people of Newport West - regardless of their political affiliation.
"I have to reach out to people who either didn't vote Labour or didn't vote at all," she said. "I've got to make sure I reach them because I am there to represent everybody in Newport West and it's important I know what they're thinking."
But she could be back on the campaign trail sooner rather than later, with another General Election always seeming just on the verge of being announced in an attempt to break the Brexit deadlock.
Mrs Jones - who said whether or not to vote for a Brexit deal would depend upon whether changes were made following negotiations between the prime minister and Jeremy Corbyn - said she hoped this doesn't come too soon.
"People in Newport West told me very clearly on the doorstep they were fed up, they just want to get on with it rather than another vote and all the rest of it," she said.
"We do want a Labour government at both ends of the M4 and you can only achieve that with a General Election, I understand that.
"But from a personal point of view and a campaigning point of view, people in Newport West are a bit campaign fatigued, so it would be good if we could have a rest."
Mrs Jones is currently in the process of setting up her office, but in the meantime can be contacted via ruth.jones.mp@parliament.uk
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