Tribute paid to ‘Fearless’ Ann Clwyd by MPs

MPs will celebrate the life and career of Ann Clwyd in a debate secured by her successor as MP for Cynon Valley Beth Winter.

Winter will use the adjournment debate on Tuesday to highlight some of the injustices Clwyd fought against in her 35 years as the Cynon Valley MP, and how the next generation of MPs must continue those fights.

Winter will say Ann was a strong, independently minded woman, an advocate for women’s rights, international human rights, the Welsh language, good quality public services and more.

She will also discuss the 1984 Miner’s strike, the role that Ann played in the Tower Colliery buy-out, and the understanding she shared with Miners’ Leader Tyrone O’Sullivan that what was needed in the valleys was local jobs for local people, creating and building wealth.

Winter will also praise Clwyd as someone who put her principles before her career, and had harmed her own chances of promotion to stick up for the poorest. Clwyd had opposed cuts to benefits for single parents only a few months into the 1997 Labour Government. Clwyd had also been sacked from the frontbench for her stance in nuclear weapons.

The current Cynon Valley MP will also reference Ann’s contribution on the international stage and her campaigning for the rights of oppressed people throughout the world.

Other MPs will then have the chance to share their tributes to Ann Clwyd.