Support for Asylum Justice

I have had a relatively busy day today. We carried out street surgeries in Bryncoch, Neath in the morning- something which we do every Monday and Friday in the region. We should be coming to a neighbourhood near you very soon!

After that, I attended the funeral of one of our Bridgend activists, David Cogswell. He was a lovely man, who supported me throughout the election, sent me press cuttings to follow up local press stories and attended events and activities in the area. He died of cancer late last week, and I will miss him, and his enthusiasm for life.

Later today I visited a few community groups, and then attended the Law Society's Pro Bono week event in Cardiff. Tonight the event centred on Asylum Justice, and the work which is carried out in representing asylum seekers during appeal processes, and in providing them with general support. Here in Wales, Legal Aid is at a minimum for such cases due to the merits system which was introduced for Wales and England in 2004. Therefore Asylum Justice are now seeking to train Immigration Advisers to represent asylum seekers during the appeals process, as there is a severe shortage of firms taking part in this work in Wales.

I am eager to get involved in the work that Asylum Justice carries out in Wales, especially as I have had many asylum seekers approach me for support with their individual cases since I have been elected. Many of the cases have proved successful, but unfortunately, the Labour Government in London has not been forthcoming in its support for organisations such as Asylum Justice, in its desperate attempts to out Tory the Tories on immigration.

More meetings and events tomorrow, starting with National Grid and a meeting on the LNG pipeline. Should be an interesting one!