Catherine Fookes MP Reflects on a Year of serving Monmouthshire

Catherine Fookes MP has marked her first year as Monmouthshire’s Member of Parliament by celebrating a number of key achievements – from responding to over 9,000 residents’ queries and securing millions in local investment, to speaking over 100 times in Parliament on behalf of constituents.

Elected in July 2024, Catherine says her focus from day one has been to be “as accessible as possible – an MP who is present and proactive across Monmouthshire.”

Over the past 12 months, Catherine and her team have handled more than 9,000 constituent queries on local and national issues, and resolved over 1,000 individual cases - including housing problems, immigration challenges, and benefit delays.

She’s also hosted more than 140 meetings and visits with residents, local businesses, schools, charities and community groups, held over 20 in-person and virtual surgeries, regular door-knocking sessions, and launched a constituency-wide survey to hear directly from people across Monmouthshire.

One of Catherine’s main priorities has been tackling river pollution. Since becoming MP, she helped secure £1 million to clean up the River Wye, secure the first ever cross-border meeting on pollution in the River Wye, and consistently lobbied the Prime Minister and senior Ministers. She also recently helped develop and pass a new law banning bonuses for water polluters – which she described as “a vital first step to start reversing the destruction of our rivers over the last 15 years.”

Beyond the environment, Catherine has also prioritised the local economy and transport links. She helped unlock £1 million in funding to repair Inglis Bridge in Monmouth - working with Monmouthshire County Council and local campaigners while also raising the matter in Parliament, and securing a meeting with the Defence Minister to get the funding over the line.

She continues to push for Magor Walkway Station to be delivered as part of the new £445 million rail investment in South Wales, most recently securing a meeting with the UK Rail Minister.

In Parliament, Catherine has spoken up over 100 times on issues including crime, violence against women, transport, broadband, the UK-EU relationship, Gaza, and protecting creative industries from AI.  “My approach as MP is to listen to the issues raised by constituents and then raise them in Parliament, pushing for action on the things I know matter locally.”

Nationally, Catherine has welcomed what she calls a “fresh start” under two Labour governments in Cardiff and Westminster – working together to deliver the biggest-ever financial settlement for Wales (£22.4 billion), record rail investment, shorter NHS waiting lists, and a pay rise for 150,000 Welsh workers.

“Being an MP is about more than what happens in Westminster – it’s about being on the ground, listening, learning and taking action,” Catherine said. “There’s a lot more work to do, but I’m so proud of what we’ve achieved together so far. This is just the beginning.”

Looking ahead, Catherine says her focus remains on “backing local jobs, cleaning up our rivers, improving local transport and making life fairer for everyone. And of course I will continue to raise the profile and needs of Monmouthshire residents at every possible opportunity in Parliament.”