LLANELLI goes to polls on Thursday, May 5, to elect a successor to current AM Keith Davies.
A key battleground seat, Llanelli has swung backwards and forwards between Plaid Cymru and Labour with a succession of small majorities making it a bellwether for the condition of the parties at each Assembly election.
With the political situation in Wales seemingly more fluid than ever, it is likely that whichever candidate wins the Assembly seat they will have a significant say in the direction of the next Welsh Government.
The Llanelli Herald asked each of the candidates to provide a short biography and personal statement setting out their background and what they seek to bring to the role of representing you in the Fifth Welsh Assembly. Gemma Bowker (Lib Dem), Sian Caiach (People First), and Guy Smith (Green) did not respond. However, the candidates for the four main parties in the contest did respond.
So, in alphabetical order, here’s what they had to say:
HELEN MARY JONES (Plaid Cymru)
HELEN MARY was an AM for Llanelli between 1999 and 2011. Before that she worked in the public and voluntary sectors, including as a special needs teacher. Between 2011 and 2016 she was Chief Executive of a leading Youth Work Charity and an advocate for the vulnerable elderly. She has just been appointed to Plaid’s Shadow Cabinet team as spokesperson for Children and Young People.
Helen Mary has one daughter, Catrin, who is 19. Helen Mary says: “I’m standing because I want to play my part in building a stronger, fairer future for Llanelli and Gwendraeth communities.
“Our health service isn’t delivering, and staff are under huge pressure. Plaid has fully costed, long-term plans to cut bureaucracy, employ 1,000 new doctors and 5,000 new nurses, and bring health and care services together.
“After 17 years of Labour in the Assembly our economy is a mess. Young people need work that pays; chances to build their futures. Plaid will cut business rates and give public contracts to Welsh firms, creating 46,000 new jobs. We’ll make major investments in transport, energy and communications, spreading opportunity beyond Cardiff and the south east.
“This is not as good as it gets. We need a Government that believes in Wales, that’s ambitious for our future. A Plaid Government.
“I’m asking for the opportunity to build on my track record of supporting our health services, local businesses and families; to be the strong voice for Llanelli in our Assembly, a voice you know you can trust.”
KENNETH D. REES (UKIP)
KEN said: I have lived and worked within the Llanelli Constituency all my life. Born in Tumble and moved to Llwynhendy, at a young age and a Welsh speaker. I have taken an active interest in my community, Town and County, serving on Llanelli Town Council, Carmarthenshire County Council and the former Dyfed CC. During 2001/02 having the honour of serving as Town Mayor.
I am married and a grandfather. My working life of 42 years in the steel industry from Trostre, Machynys, Landore and Port Talbot.
The 2015 election was successful for UKIP in raising the UKIP share of the vote in our constituency and the United Kingdom. I wish to improve our UKIP representation further with European referendum following.
Many more people are supportive of our stand for anIndependent United Kingdom. Our policy manifesto: Health, Tax raising powers, Education the Welsh Assembly Powers, Economic development, the abolition of the Severn Bridge tolls.
My proposals for the General Election is repeated. Employment Opportunities must be promoted by the Assembly and County Council. Suitable Homes for elderly and youth, Realistic Business Rates in our town and a need for better connections between the out of town shopping centres and the town with Park and Ride arrangements.
Recreation areas and parks are important for our health and wellbeing in our communities and should be protected.
Our Fishing Industry/Recreational Fishing from our beaches are subject to European laws and control. The Assembly must speak out for our people.
Together we will succeed to ensure a better future in our Constituency.
STEFAN RYSZEWSKI (Conservative)
STEFAN told The Herald: I am standing for election because I believe that my local connections as an individual who was born and brought up in Llanelli puts me in a good position to best represent you. As a grand-son of a Polish migrant, I can reach out to our diverse communities here in Llanelli.
In Wales, we have been left behind for too long. Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour Party have had 17 years in power here in Wales which has failed us all so much. They now have the audacity to ask for 5 more! From lowering education standards to longer waiting lists in the NHS where one in seven people in Wales are now on some sort of waiting list. Plaid Cymru will say they want change in Llanelli and Wales but will only prop up another Labour government.
If elected as your Assembly Member, I will secure vital services at Prince Phillip Hospital to ensure that our NHS is protected. I will also fight the Plaid-led Council on their cuts to the education budget where, as Conservatives, would like to see the direct funding of schools. This would result in an extra £214 per pupil, or £214,000 extra per year for a school like Ysgol Y Strade.
Labour only need to lose one seat in Wales to lose control of power. Only by voting Welsh Conservatives in May will you get a government that can work coherently with the UK government and get the best deal for Wales: if you want change, you’ve got to vote for it.
LEE WATERS (Labour)
LEE was born and raised in the Llanelli constituency. He runs Wales’ leading think-tank, the highly respected Institute of Welsh Affairs, He was formerly Chief Political Correspondent for ITV Wales and led the environmental charity Sustrans Cymru. He is 40 years old and is married with two children.
Lee told us: “I passionately believe that Wales and Llanelli can do better, and that is the simple reason why I’m standing for election. I grew up in the area and I deliberately didn’t go off to London to make my career, I stayed in Wales because I wanted to make a contribution.
“I have a track record in getting things done and with your support I will put all my energies into developing a long-term economic plan for the Llanelli constituency, and then bring people together to make it happen. Our area has a proud past, but more importantly it can have a vibrant future – if we are determined enough to fight for it.
“If Llanelli elects a Labour AM in May every working family will get 30 free hours of childcare. Elderly relatives will get to double the amount of money they keep in savings before having to pay the cost of care.
“And we’ll set up a £200 m apprenticeship scheme which will be available for all ages, not just school leavers. We put people and their families first. I will not hesitate to speak up, or speak out, to fight for the whole of the constituency.”
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