A Week with Rhun ap Iorwerth, Ynys Mon’s Assembly Member by Iestyn Hughes

My name is Iestyn Hughes and I am a History and Politics graduate.

During the week from the 31st of January to the 3rd of February I went on work experience with Rhun ap Iorwerth, the Plaid Cymru Assembly Member for Ynys Mon, spending three days in his constituency office in Llangefni and two days at the National Assembly for Wales.

I started the week off in Plaid Cymru’s constituency office in Llangefni, getting to know the staff as well as the day-to-day work of an Assembly Member. It was really intriguing to see how an AM works with public enquiries, issues within the community as well as meeting with various charities and societies such as the Alzheimer’s Society

Stepping off the train bright and early on Tuesday morning in Cardiff, I began my two days in the National Assembly. In the time that I was there, I was shown the inner workings of the Welsh Government, from watching the Climate Change, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee’s inquiry into Marine Protected Areas in Wales, to sitting in the public gallery to watch First Minister’s Questions on Tuesday afternoon.

I was also allowed to draft a press statement covering Rhun’s contribution to FMQs, and even allowed to take the pictures when Rhun co-presented – along with Welsh Conservative leader Andrew R.T. Davies – a cheque of £3,863 to Bowel Cancer UK from Newport and Gwent Dragons (no expensive cameras were harmed in this photoshoot, I can assure you).

Thursday, and back to the office in Anglesey, starting the day with a round-up of relevant press headlines for Rhun. I then helped collect relevant data on home- and respite care within Wales to be collated and sent to the Cardiff office, and then got in touch with Rhun’s constituents who wished to meet with him at one his constituency Surgery at the end of the week.

To round off the week, I went to along with Rhun and his staff to Amlwch to attend his constituent Surgeries, getting to meet face-to-face with members of Anglesey’s public and listen to what they had to say.

It’s been an enlightening and exciting week, and I’d like to thank Rhun and all of the Llangefni and Cardiff staff for their warm welcome and for giving me this opportunity.