This year appears to have been the summer that never was, writes Fay Jones MP.

Apart from the odd few days of sunshine, the barbecue summer we were promised never materialised.

However, it certainly hasn’t stopped the tourists from coming to this part of the world.

It has been fantastic to see pubs and restaurants busy again and long queues outside the ice cream shops.

I’ve spent the summer getting out and about as much as possible – with a series of street surgeries across Radnorshire and Brecknock.

If you were one of the individuals who came for a chat in Builth Wells, Talgarth, Crickhowell, Ystradgynlais, Hay, Knighton, Presteigne or Brecon – I’m very grateful.

Events in Afghanistan dominated much of the conversations.

It was therefore important that Parliament was recalled in mid-August to debate the worsening situation, prompted by the US’s misguided move to withdraw.

Throughout the entire summer, the UK Secretary of State for Defence, Ben Wallace, has worked non-stop to ensure that British civilians could get out of Afghanistan following the withdrawal of American and British personnel.

To date 16,000 people have been brought home – an immense achievement on behalf of our Armed Forces, once again.

Being fond of buying new shoes and new stationery means that I have always preferred autumn and winter to summer.

As the schools and the clocks go back, I like the sense of getting stuck back into work again.

September will bring with it important pieces of legislation to focus on – not least the Northern Ireland Statute of Limitations Bill which will end a 50-year nightmare for some of our veterans.

I look forward to speaking in support of the Bill which is hugely needed – not only to end the cycle of vexatious investigations but to ensure that information can finally come to light, giving veterans and victims closure at long last.