Plaid Cymru condemns the apparent chemical attack in the town of Douma in Syria, which led to the reported deaths of at least 70 people in appalling circumstances.

However, the reality is that such acts of violence, which are war crimes, will continue until the international community reaches an appropriate agreement on de-escalating and then ending the civil war. 

Following last year’s chemical attack in Khan Younis, which was later attributed by the UN and OPCW to the Syrian government, Plaid Cymru stated that “Plaid Cymru condemns all such attacks on civilians, and also the less widely reported deaths of civilians from conventional weapons. The only solution to reduce and then end this violence is to bring about a comprehensive peace process, requiring the buy-in of the United States and Russia, and the other countries which have intervened in Syria”

On 19 March, a St David's Day debate, rescheduled from the 1st of March due to adverse weather conditions, was held in Parliament giving a platform for MPs to discuss and debate issues of interest to Wales. 

My speech gave me an opportunity to challenge the UK Government’s current economic strategy as to ensure that Ceredigion and other areas of Wales aren’t left behind. The propsects for individuals living in rural areas should be just as promising as those for people living elsewhere.

Yesterday's announcement that NHS workers in England will, on average, receive a 6.5% pay rise is a welcome step in the right direction, but it is important that workers in the Welsh NHS, after years of stagnant pay, also receive a rise for the valuable work that they do.

I asked the UK Health Secretary to confirm that the deal announced by the UK Government will see the Welsh Government’s budget receive additional money, or a ‘Barnett consequential’, so that they too can give NHS staff a well-deserved, and long-awaited pay rise.

Individuals should be allowed to keep their European citizenship after Brexit, Plaid Cymru says, as it launches an online petition 

To mark St David’s Day, Ben Lake, Member of Parliament for Ceredigion, attended an event in parliament on behalf of Leonard Cheshire Cymru, a charity that supports disabled people across Wales to live, learn and work as independently as possible.

On 27 February, Ben Lake MP introduced a Bill in Parliament looking to ensure customers aren’t left without basic financial services by bank closures.

On 27 February, Ben Lake MP will introduce a Bill in Parliament looking to ensure customers aren’t left without basic financial services by bank closures.

The devastating effect of banks pulling out of communities leaves thousands of people unable to complete the most simple of financial chores – like pay in a cheque or even access cash.

Rural communities have been particularly hard hit. The closure of the last bank in some villages and towns is forcing people to travel tens-of-miles to the nearest bank. Coupled with poor internet access and an inability to access online banking, countryside customers and business are being left in a “banking black-hole”.

On 27 February, staff members at Aberystwyth University will be marching from Penglais Hill to the Morlan Centre where they will then hold a rally as part of the UCU pensions strike. Although unable to attend the rally, Ben Lake MP and Elin Jones AM have shown their full support to teaching and non-teaching members of staff in their campaign to protect their pensions.

Elin Jones urges those in ‘at-risk’ groups to get their free influenza vaccination

Joint letter from Elin Jones and Ben Lake call for Government to intervene on the closure of Bodlondeb Home in Aberystwyth.