This Thursday is the day when you get to decide who will be Wrexham’s next Labour candidate – but whether that person becomes our next MP will depend on whether they put in the hard work over the next two years. We may be riding high in the opinion polls now but nothing is guaranteed.
The meeting in the Philip Whitehead Theatre at Glyndwr University LL11 2AW is your chance to hear from all the candidates and then vote. You are asked to arrive by 6.45 pm for a 7 pm start. Just go into the main building as you enter from Mold Road. You are asked to bring your Labour Party membership card OR some other form of ID.
After the last general election, I worked with Labour Together to identify what we need to do differently to beat the Tories next time. We cannot assume that “one more heave” will be enough. The Tories will do all they can by fair means and foul to win back voters. A key recommendation of the report is that we seek to build a positive relationship with voters, working with communities to deliver positive change all year round, not just asking for their votes at election time. That is why I place such a strong emphasis on getting out and talking with people. I have a head start because I am building on the discussions I had in 2019 and the positive reception I got from voters including many who weren’t voting Labour in that election but urged me to “come back next time”.
The only way to win in Wrexham is to ensure that a positive coherent national message from Keir Starmer and his team, working with Mark Drakeford and Welsh Labour, is backed up by a vigorous campaign locally, fronted by a candidate with a commitment to getting out and talking with voters. My campaigning and media experience will help us to ensure that the national messages are translated into a positive vision for the difference a UK Labour Government will make here in Wrexham, including joining the dots between what the Welsh Government is doing and how a UK Government with the same values would be able to put rocket boosters behind it.
Getting elected as Wrexham’s MP is only the start. I want to deliver in Westminster, working hand in hand with our Welsh Labour Government to:
- Ensure a thriving local economy – Wrexham has incredible potential – but we need more long-term, sustainable jobs on at least the real living wage, that local people have the skills and support to take up.
- Tackle the cost of living crisis – our welfare system should ensure work provides a route out of poverty, while ensuring we have a decent, humane safety net for those unable to work.
- Take action to minimise climate change – seizing win-win solutions that create the skilled jobs of the future and ensure a just transition for existing workforces – Wrexham is well placed to play a key role in this.
- Secure fair funding for Wales and Wrexham – we need to expose the false Tory promises that Wales would not lose out over funding post-brexit and ensure Wrexham’s needs are recognised in distributing funding.
- Guarantee a functioning social care system – we need a workforce that is properly rewarded for the valuable role it does – and able to care for our most vulnerable citizens.
I’m very happy to answer any questions in advance of the meeting – I’ve been trying to talk to as many members as possible. I know members take seriously their responsibility to choose the candidate who is best placed to bring Wrexham home to Labour – and that by supporting whoever is chosen in campaigning over the next two years, you will have an impact on whether we succeed.
You can find more information on this website – there’s even a video to watch.
I hope to see you there on Thursday night
Mary Wimbury 