Diolch, Llywydd, and I've agreed that Peter Fox and James Evans may have a minute of my time in this debate. Today's debate is particularly poignant as it's Battle of Britain Day and we honour the legacy of the brave aircrews who defended Britain against tyranny. Now, the campaign to protect war memorials across Wales has been one that I've been proud to lead for several years now, and whilst it gives me great pleasure to highlight this issue again, this will be the third time that I've held a debate on this subject, so I hope the Deputy Minister will understand that it's very frustrating to see that little action has been taken by successive Governments on this issue. Members may be aware that I've also submitted a legislative proposal to protect war memorials in Wales and if successful in that ballot, I do hope Members will support that legislation.

I want to reiterate from the outset that this campaign isn't party political, and politicians from all parties right across the UK have campaigned for war memorials to be better protected. They are an essential part of our cultural and social fabric, and it's important that we honour the sacrifices of our fallen heroes. I'm pleased to hear the Prime Minister himself confirm that the UK Government will be looking to bring forward legislation to protect war memorials, and I look forward to hearing more about that legislation when those details emerge.

In Scotland, Highlands and Islands Scottish Labour MSPs Rhoda Grant and David Stewart supported calls for greater war memorial protection. Scottish Green Party MSP Gillian Mackay has also spoken about the protection of war memorials recently after a war memorial in Motherwell was vandalised for a second time in just a matter of weeks. And here in Wales, Ministers have repeatedly committed to doing more to protect our war memorials.

It's crucial that future generations remember those who died for our freedoms and learn from previous wars so that they are never repeated again. Therefore, I truly urge the Deputy Minister to prioritise this issue and commit to doing all that can be done to protect and cultivate these memorials as they come under increasing threat.

Now according to the Welsh Government, there are around 5,000 war memorials in Wales and they come in all shapes and sizes, from parks and gardens to statues and cenotaphs. And we know that each war memorial is unique in its own way; in some cases, the names listed on a memorial may be the only record of that individual's sacrifice. They're also important focal points of our local communities that are cared for and supported. However, despite the good intentions and hard work of many, it remains the case that war memorials continue to be vulnerable to the weather and time, and even worse than that, some have been vandalised and desecrated.

Members may remember back in February when a war memorial in Rhyl was vandalised with swastikas and antisemitic graffiti. That vandalism showed the utmost contempt for those that gave their lives for our freedoms and it's in that vein that I hope the Welsh Government will today give the strongest commitment it can to protecting and safeguarding our memorials for the future. Back in 2012 and again in 2019 I put forward many of the same arguments that I will today to the Welsh Government. At the time, whilst each response to the debate was sincere and understanding, war memorials in Wales today are no more protected than they were back then.