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.

Ms Fookes was elected in July 2024 as the first ever woman MP in Monmouthshire and Catherine says her focus from day one has been to be “as accessible as possible, an MP who is present and proactive across Monmouthshire.”

Before Ms Fookes was elected as MP she was a councillor with Monmouthshire County Council.

Over the past 12 months, Ms Fookes 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.

One of Ms Fookes main priorities has been tackling river pollution. Since becoming MP, she helped secure £1 million to clean up the River Wye and consistently lobbied the Prime Minister and senior ministers.

Ms Fookes recently helped develop and pass a new law banning bonuses for bosses of 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. From helping 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.

Ms Fookes 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 the 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,” said Ms Fookes.

“There’s a lot more work to do, but I am so proud of what we have 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.

“I will continue to raise the profile and needs of Monmouthshire residents at every possible opportunity in Parliament.”