IN HIS latest Argus column, Torfaen MP Nick Thomas-Symonds has praised some of the inspirational women of his constituency.

As reader will appreciate, Brexit is dominating Parliament at the moment – but it is also vital that the wider work of MPs continues.

The recent ‘Hidden Heroines’ vote sought to find the public’s nomination for the first Welsh woman to be immortalised as an outdoor public statue in Wales.

There were some excellent nominees, but it reminded me of some remarkable women with local connections I have met with or talked about this month in Parliament.

Nanazin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, whose sister-in-law is a GP in Cwmbran, has been jailed in Iran.

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe. Picture: Family Handout/PA Wire

As reported in the Argus, her family are growing increasingly concerned about her treatment.

That’s why I raised her case with Foreign Office minister Alistair Burt in Parliament, urging the government to step up their efforts to put pressure on the Iranian Government to resolve the situation and end the inhumane treatment of Nazanin.

It was lovely to read the tributes to Fran Margerison, an old teacher of mine and a pioneer of women’s rugby in Wales.

Fran taught at St Alban’s School in Pontypool.

She played for Wales in our first women’s international, against England at Pontypool Park in 1987 and went on to become the first chair of the Womens’ Rugby Union in Wales.

She had a reputation of being fearsome on the pitch, but I remember her as one of the exceptional teachers who inspired me and many others in her time at the school.

I met two more impressive local women in Parliament at the launch of blood cancer charity Bloodwise UK’s new report, Hear our voice; Stories from people affected by blood cancer.

Donna Dunn and Holly Clark are campaigning tirelessly on this issue in memory of the late, inspirational Emily Clark.

Emily did so much campaigning in her lifetime to change the lives of others - Donna and Holly are carrying on her legacy with their incredible work for blood cancer patients.

Emily Clark and Donna Dunn

Bloodwise UK’s report calls for improvements in the care and treatment of people with blood cancers including leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma.

Blood cancers are the third most common cause of cancer death, yet over one third of people with a blood cancer need to visit their GP three times or more before they are referred to hospital.

Earlier treatment significantly improves survival rates, so quick diagnosis and treatment is vital.

The report also calls for better support for patients with the psychological trauma they can experience.

It was good to hear the stories of those who have experienced blood cancers, so that we can work together to press the government for action.