AS SHADOW Minister for the UK Overseas Territories, I take a keen interest in the many unique parts of the global British family, and am honoured to be visiting the Falkland Islands to attend events commemorating the 40th anniversary of the 1982 war and to remember the fallen - including so many from Wales.

I am writing this column during the trip, on which I have so far had the honour of joining HRH The Princess Royal and Sir Timothy Laurence to lay wreaths at the Liberation Monument, and visited Goose Green - as well as Mount Pleasant where UK armed forces are now based and undertake critical training.

We paid tribute to Lt Col “H” Jones who lost his life near Darwin and was awarded the VC.

We are also looking to the future on our visit and learning about the importance of the marine environment, fisheries, biodiversity, and the impacts of climate change, and meeting lots of local people. It’s amazing to learn that people from more than 60 countries all over the world have made the Falklands their home.

We have also visited the stunning Yorke Bay - the last beach to be de-mined which only re-opened in 2020 - and took a dip in the chilly South Atlantic.

In the constituency, I joined residents and local representatives in Grangetown this year for Remembrance Sunday – where a special set of tributes were also laid for the Falklands War, as we remembered those we lost and all who served 40 years ago.

It was as ever an honour to catch up with current serving personnel and veterans of all ages.

Coming from an armed forces family - and with my own involvements - this is always an important day, and it was great to see so many people from across our communities out in support.

I also joined my constituency colleague Vaughan Gething MS at the Merchant Navy Memorial in Cardiff Bay, to pay tribute to all those who served and who were lost. We have such a proud tradition and history of service under the Red Ensign in Cardiff and Penarth, and it was, as always, a deeply moving occasion.

Last week marked 10 years since I was elected as Member of Parliament for Cardiff South and Penarth. It has been, and remains, an absolute honour and a privilege to serve the people of this wonderful constituency.