MORE members of parliament should get outside of London and visit other parts of the UK, said Emily Thornberry MP on a visit to Haverfordwest today (Friday, March 9).

The MP for Islington South, and member of the shadow cabinet, started her visit to Haverfordwest with a trip to PATCH’s foodbank at Albany Church hall.

Tracy Olin, co-ordinator for PATCH said the charity was very grateful for the visit.

Ms Thornberry then joined Labour party campaigners at the Old Bridge, and visited the Friday farmers market at the Riverside shopping centre.

She later joined Mark Drakeford AM and Neath MP Christina Rees at Haverfordwest Services Club to meet members of the public and address their concerns.

“I learn a great deal from these visits,” she said speaking during the visit to the Riverside shopping centre.

“You have got to listen and learn from people,” she added, saying that it was crucial for MPs to understand issues in regions of the UK outside of London.

The MP said she had learned about the struggles of working in the fishing industry in Milford Haven, and had spoken to local farmers about the difficulties of dealing with the recent snowfall.

“At the foodbank I saw the effect of changes to benefit on people who have unstable work,” she said.

The shadow foreign secretary also spoke about the visit of Saudi Arabian crown prince Mohammed bin Salman to the UK.

“I think we shouldn’t roll out the red carpet for him. We have a long relationship with Saudi Arabia but I think friends should speak the truth to each other,” she said.

“We must stop the bombing in Yemen. There are 22 million people in Yemen who don’t have enough food.

“This is not the way to behave. It needs to be said pretty strongly.”

Ms Thornberry also encouraged young women to pursue political careers, in light of International Women’s Day 2018 (Thursday, March 8).

“It is the best job in the world. There are no qualifications other than to be strong and proud of your community, and to make sure you continue listening.

“It’s about power and exercising it for people around you for the right reasons.”

Local Labour town councillor, and deputy mayor of Fishguard, Jordan Ryan said the party believes that campaigning in seats like Preseli Pembrokeshire could help them win the next election.

“It shows we are a marginal seat and it shows that the Labour Party is confident we can remove Stephen Crabb from office.

“It is important to get the message out that Labour has a plan to make the country better.”

Haverfordwest farmers’ market traders were surprised by the visit.

Patricia Roger of Coland Rise Farm Meats was unsure if grassroots campaigning would sway the public’s vote.

“It could influence the way I vote. It is something I haven’t thought about really. Only time will tell what other people think.”

Stephen Broadhurst, also working at the market thought politicians should spend more time visiting regions across the UK.

“I think it proves all politicians should be doing things like this. Seeing someone out and about helps the profile of whichever party they are representing,” he said.

Ms Thornberry’s visit to Wales has also taken her to Blaenau Gwent, Cardiff South, Penarth, Gower, Merthyr Tydfil, and Llanelli.

The Labour shadow cabinet have been visiting parliamentary constituencies up and down the UK since the snap general election last June, in an effort to raise the party’s profile in case another election is called.