“I have experienced very real threats to my personal safety”

Montgomeryshire MP Glyn Davies gas lifted the lid on the serious security issues that he and fellow MPs now face.

The Conservative MP said he will be holding a cross-party coffee morning on June 21 as part of the ‘The Great Get Together’ weekend, in memory of the late Jo Cox MP who was murdered by a right-wing extremist.

But in announcing his event at the Town Hall, Mr Davies opened up about his own security problems that included evading a speeding vehicle being driven at him with “evil intent”.

“During my time as an MP, I have experienced very real threats to my personal safety, including evading a vehicle being driven towards me with evil intent,” he said.

“I’ve had to introduce security measures in my constituency office. Along with other MPs, I am strongly advised not to give advance notice about where I will be. The local police are very helpful, but politics shouldn’t be like this. Being accessible to constituents is what makes my job worthwhile.”

The Great Get Together was set up by the Jo Cox Foundation in 2017, aiming to end divisive politics and to celebrate what unites us rather than divides us. Mr Davies has invited representatives from other political parties within Montgomeryshire to attend his event.

“Two years ago, popular Labour MP Jo Cox was murdered on the street in her constituency,” he explained. “Her family subsequently set up the Jo Cox Foundation, to promote a less divisive, less aggressive politics and a greater focus on tackling loneliness. These objectives have always been part of my approach to politics.

“The Foundation is organising its third annual Great Get Together over the weekend 21st to 24th June. The theme of the weekend is that there is so much more that unites us rather than divides us, and that this should be rightly celebrated.

“I’ve invited representatives of other Montgomeryshire political parties to join me, where we can commit to the principles that Jo Cox so believed in.

“Jo Cox was a Labour MP who was well liked and respected across all parties. Aggressive politics is not a party issue, which is why my commitment to the aims of the Jo Cox Foundation is shared by all political parties.”

For more information on this year’s The Great Together weekend, visit www.greatgettogether.org.