Almost 70 members and friends of the Tenby and Saundersfoot branch of the Labour Party enjoyed a constituency dinner at the Fourcroft Hotel, Tenby, on Friday last.
The tables had been prepared - complete with red roses - so that everyone had a chance to speak with members of the constituency that they knew, but do not meet often, except at such gatherings. After a delicious meal and over coffee and mints, the local MP, Nick Ainger, welcomed the guest speaker, Rt. Hon Ann Clwyd MP.
Ann, easily recognised after her many years in politics, began her speech by referring to the 100 years of the Labour movement, celebrated in 2006, and remarked on the huge differences now in Parliament from 1906. She spoke about her very famous predecessor in Llanelli, Keir Hardy, and about his visions for the future.
She reminded members of the great dearth of women in politics in Labour's first 90 years, but said what progress had been made in that direction - especially in the Welsh Assembly - over the last decade.
Ann went on to talk about her own work since entering politics 30 years ago, about her passion for Human Rights, and of some of the places in the world she had been, including Iraq, to which she had been a special envoy for a number of years. She said that she had spoken on many occasions to the PM about what she witnessed in Iraq and knew that he had been deeply affected by this. She said that she wanted 'regime change, not war.'
After Ann had spoken, Nick addressed the group briefly, followed by Christine Gwyther AM, who then introduced Alun Davies, list candidate for Labour for Mid and West Wales. Alun also spoke briefly and finally, chairman of the constituency, Ceinwen Were, gave the vote of thanks.
Later, people had the opportunity to chat and mingle, and to speak with the professional politicians. It had been a very successful and enjoyable occasion and has clearly become an established annual event.