Message of thanks and reflection from Dr James Davies

A very big thank you to all those who placed their trust in me at the polls last Thursday.

Although I am incredibly disappointed not to have been elected to represent the new seat of Clwyd East, I am very proud of my six and a half years as MP for the Vale of Clwyd.

It has always been important to me to be a constituency-focused MP, proactive in ensuring a better future for the entire region.

Above all, the commitment of over £1 billion to upgrade and electrify the North Wales Main Line from Crewe and Warrington to Holyhead has been the culmination of many years of work by myself and others. It would be tragic if a change of government and local representation were to jeopardise that. I am also proud of the tens of millions of pounds of central government funding that has been given to the region through the Levelling Up Fund, the Long-Term Plan for Towns, the North Wales Growth Deal and the Shared Prosperity Fund. If well spent, this money can be transformative for Rhyl. It will also help to refresh Prestatyn High Street and deliver the development of the former North Wales Hospital in Denbigh.

If all goes well, working with local people and the UK Community Ownership Fund will have not only helped to preserve the Salusbury Arms in Tremeirchion and reopen the community shop in Llandrynog, but also helped to purchase Belle Vue to secure the future of football in the heart of Rhyl for generations to come. Similarly, I was able to persuade the Chancellor to provide Theatre Clwyd with £1.6 million in the last Budget, which will make a real difference to this valuable regional facility.

As an NHS GP, it was imperative for me to make clear to the highest levels of the UK Government the need for national action to redress the situation at Betsi Cadwaladr and for better access to health services in other parts of Wales for patients. It was a positive step to see these measures included in my party’s election manifesto, and I deeply regret that the Welsh Government now faces less scrutiny for its many failings.

I would like to thank my excellent constituency office team who supported me during the last Parliament. Together, we have taken on 23,389 local cases since 2019, including during the very difficult period of the pandemic. I would also like to thank my campaign team and the many volunteers who worked tirelessly for me during the recent election campaign.

It’s been 20 years since I returned home from university and stood for Prestatyn Council. Since then I’ve made it my mission to move the area forward, and the progress Prestatyn has made in particular has been very rewarding and has made all the ups and downs more than worthwhile. I’m looking forward to the opening of the town’s new police station in September.

I am overwhelmed by the messages of support I have received since the election results were announced. It has been a great honour to be your MP – thank you.

I am now looking forward to some well-deserved rest and quality time with my family.