POTENTIAL voters in Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire were introduced to their Westminster candidates this week, as election fever builds in the run-up to the May election.
Conservative Simon Hart, the incumbent MP launched his re-election campaign by pledging to continue to provide robust support to people in their hour of need and to put people above politics.
Mr Hart told the Herald: “In Westminster I have been proud to successfully champion our part of Wales in the heart of Government. Since the last election I have dealt with 9,000 inquiries in my office in Whitland, held nearly 40 public meetings, visited countless schools, businesses, clubs and institutions and, most importantly, spoken to literally thousands of local people. I am delighted that unemployment is down over 30% from 2010, that inflation is at 0%, interest rates are low and that business start -ups and growth are at their highest for years. Who would have thought Britain would be the fastest growing economy in the world?
Locally I have been so delighted to support local projects such as the successful bid to bring S4C to Carmarthen, the campaign to get Network rail to renovate the station buildings in Whitland, to sort out speeding problems in villages across the area and to lead the charge for our tourist industry in getting George Osborne to scrap a higher rate of vat on caravans amongst countless other important local issues. There is always more to do, more battles to be fought, but I hope I have been able to convince people that I have a successful track record and deserve another term.”
His rival, Labour candidate Delyth Evans, also launched her campaign this week, in Carmarthen and Pembroke Dock, where former Welsh secretary Peter Hain showed up to offer his support.
Ms Evans spoke confidently about Labour’s plan for the next five years, building a better Britain based on an economy that works for working people, supporting the NHS, creating more apprenticeships and opportunities for young people, and abolishing the Bedroom Tax.
Among those attending the launch was the local Labour party’s oldest member, 93-year-old Betty Farrar from Amroth.
Backing Ms Evans, Betty said that our communities need a strong voice in Westminster: “Times are still tough for families. I worry for older people like myself that if the Tories get their way, social care will be cut badly taking away the services that people need every day. I remember a time before the NHS. People today have no idea what it was like. I was one of seven children and when we were sick I don’t remember ever seeing a doctor. So the creation of the NHS was so, so vital. I do worry about the National Health because if the Tories get back in, they will hack away at it.”
Ms Evans told the Herald that Betty’s concerns are widely felt: “Betty shares many of the concerns that I have been hearing on the doorstep over the last two years. Concerns about austerity and concerns about the public services. Voters in South Pembrokeshire want to be reassured that the next government will work for them and that they have an MP who understands and shares their concerns. This constituency can make the difference as to which party will govern the country.
If you want change, you can get change by voting Labour on May 7th.”
A key factor that could swing the campaign one way or the other is the strength of the Plaid Cymru showing. Plaid candidate Elwyn Williams is an experienced campaigner with a track record of increasing Plaid’s share of the vote. He hopes to build on his profile in Carmarthen town and in the eastern part of the constituency and profit from voter disillusionment with Westminster politics.
The race for the seat looks too close to call, and even LSE analysts, while predicting that the Conservatives may shade it admit they ‘wouldn’t bet the house’ on the result. In 2010, Simon Hart achieved a majority of nearly 3,500 over Labour’s Nick Ainger, but a stronger showing for Labour and a surge in popularity for UKIP show the Conservative lead slashed from double-figure percentage points down to 0.8%. The success of these campaigns could very well have a major impact on which party carries South Pembrokeshire and Carmarthen West in May.
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