THE new MP for Ynys Môn, Llinos Medi, yesterday (July 30) delivered her maiden speech in Parliament.

During this speech, Ms Medi warned the Labour government not to “use the chaos of its predecessor as an excuse to shy away from taking bold economic decisions”.

 She said, during a debate on the Budget Responsibility Bill, that investment in the future, including in tackling child poverty, and in capital investment such as the Wylfa nuclear site, and the electrification of the north Wales mainline, should not be treated as “simply as a cost to be cut”.

The government is introducing the bill with the aim of ensuring that, when it makes “fiscally significant” measures, they are subject to an independent assessment by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR).

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Ms Medi added: “Child poverty in Ynys Môn stands at a staggering 35 per cent.

“We need bold measures, such as abolishing the two-child cap on benefits and making real investments in our services and infrastructure, to tackle this pressing issue.

“I fear that tinkering around the edges won’t be enough to drive growth in our economy. We need real investment to attract well-paid jobs and bring some dynamism into our economy.

“I urge the government not to let the shock of the mini-budget deter them from making the necessary investments in our communities.

“As (Anglesey) council leader, I saw how the previous Conservative government undermined our plans for the Wylfa Newydd nuclear site.

“We had plans to create high-quality, long-term jobs and build skills and supply chain opportunities.

“Our efforts also focused on ensuring that any development would respect the island’s unique environment, culture, and the Welsh language. Sadly, the Conservative government pulled the plug in 2019.

“Now, more than ever, we need clarity and commitment from the new government. Like many areas, Ynys Môn is bleeding young people who leave in search of better opportunities.

“We need high-skilled, well-paid jobs to sustain our communities and to ensure they flourish.”

Ms Medi also reflected on her political and personal background, saying that, “as a farmer’s daughter”, she grew up “understanding the value of hard work”.

She said before entering politics in 2013, she had worked as “a carer, a teaching assistant, a youth worker” and “selling eggs and milk-recording on farms”.

The Plaid Cymru MP said that her own personal journey, having been a homeless single mother-of-two in 2015, she was keen to “inspire other women to believe, ‘if she can do it, I can do it”.

In 2017, she became the first female leader of Isle of Anglesey County Council, having become the leader of the opposition two years earlier.

She said: “I will always be filled with pride when women come up to me to say: ‘Thank you. I've gone for it because of you.’

“I am not here for myself. I want people in Ynys Môn who might have also been through tough times, to see my work here and be inspired to put themselves forward.

“Ynys Môn is known as “Gwlad y Medra,” which translates to "the land of can-do."

“This attitude has always guided my approach to politics and will continue to do so in my work here.

“I look forward to cracking on with the job. I will work with colleagues across this house, with a can-do attitude to secure a brighter future for the people of Ynys Môn.”