OPINION – Treating Powys as one county would be 'madness' in event of local lockdown

I’m working with Russell George MS to make it clear Powys should not be treated as one lockdown area.

I hope that whatever action the Welsh Government takes, rural Wales will see a bespoke approach. If Brecon has an outbreak, for example, it seems madness to quarantine Llanfyllin some 75 miles apart.

A few weeks ago, I was in Machynlleth speaking with concerned hoteliers and business owners on the high street.

I was also recently in Llanidloes and Llangurig to hear first-hand about how their recovery is going. Likewise, I spent the day in Newtown last week visiting so many great businesses and organisations including a visit to CellPath, an award-winning family business and continuing its export growth year on year.

A once talked about issue seems to be coming to an end with little fan fair. Brexit is nearing the end of the journey and having previously worked within the negotiating team, I never doubted we would get a deal from the start.

I feel more confident than ever about this. No doubt we will have one or two more sabre-rattling moments from both sides before the gargantuan task of leaving the EU done.

This is combined with the recent Japan trade deal, which saw even more GI’s (geographical indicators) such as Welsh Lamb protected than the has EU ever achieved.

I am sure there will be continued naysayers, but as deal upon deal comes forward from around the world, it will be harder to argue we have undercut standards or that our country cannot survive outside the EU.

On a more positive note, I was delighted that Fashion-Enter is taking over 70 staff from Laura Ashley in a new clothing business in the iconic Pryce-Jones Building in Newtown.

The news was tainted by the closure of Stadco at Llanfyllin, which is extremely concerning.

Having been a part of the community there for many years I know just how important the plant is for many local residents and their livelihoods.