It was a very convivial atmosphere on Saturday evening last, when members of the South Pembrokeshire and West Carmarthen constituency met Paul Murphy MP, Secretary of State for Wales, at the new CAVS centre in Carmarthen.
Local MP Nick Ainger had arranged an opportunity for party activists to meet Paul and also Lisa Stephens, Labour candidate for the European Parliament. Lisa is one of two new Labour candidates standing in the June European elections, as Mrs. Glenys Kinnock and Mrs. Eluned Morgan - having represented Wales in Europe for many years - have decided to step down this year.
Paul Murphy had been visiting the constituency during the day and had visited Tenby 'incognito.' He remarked upon the beauty of Tenby and in particular, upon the wonderful Georgian houses he saw as he walked through town down to the harbour. He said how fortunate we were to live in such an unspoiled, delightful little town.
As it was an informal, social evening and not a political rally, there were very short and informal speeches by Nick, Paul and Lisa and members had the rare opportunity to put more personal matters to the Secretary of State, in particular, expressing their views about a local campaign that members of the Catholic Church are engaged with.
The event was arranged at the CAVS centre, next to County Hall in Carmarthen, by Matthew Dorrance, a young Labour Party activist and worker. With wine and soft drinks freely available and a delicious buffet - described by Paul as the 'best New Labour' buffet he'd ever enjoyed - the evening was very much enjoyed.
M.N.