MONMOUTHSHIRE will go to the polls on 12th December after a General Election was called by Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Ahead of the election, the Beacon asked all Monmouth candidates a set of questions.

Who are you?

I live with my wife and children in Skenfrith, just north of Monmouth. I have a degree in chemistry and a masters in business. After graduating, I worked in the private sector for a few years in the UK and the Middle East, but my desire to do more to help those less fortunate than myself led me to work for over 30 years in the charity sector. Much of this time was working in Africa, Asia and Eastern Europe for charities such as Oxfam, Cafod and Sightsavers. I also spent some time as global media director for Amnesty International. More recently I was working in the UK supporting people living with motor neurone disease. I co-founded Plastic Free Monmouth campaign and helped persuade the town and county councils to declare climate emergencies.

Why should people vote for you on 12th December?

Last month, many of my neighbours in Skenfrith had to be rescued from their homes when record-breaking floods swept through the village. Their furniture and possessions ruined, many have had to move away for several months while their houses are made habitable again. This has torn apart the community and separated children from their friends. Climate change is with us, and we will be seeing more of this devastation across the UK and the world in the years to come.

This is a Climate Election. Opinion polls agree that the next government must take urgent action to stop climate breakdown and reverse the destruction of our natural world. We haven’t got another five years to wait and that is why your vote is crucial.

All parties have finally joined the Greens to recognise that we need to tackle the climate emergency. But their public pledges are undermined by concessions to big business and trade unions, such as supporting new coal mines and airport expansion. Only the Green Party has the ambition needed and can be trusted to deliver it without compromise or delay. I will fight relentlessly in Parliament to secure our future.

If elected what would be your first priority?

I would vote to put any Brexit deal agreed by the government back to the people for a confirmatory vote that includes the option of remaining in the EU. Given the divisions caused by the Brexit debate, the lies and foreign interference before and after the referendum, and the failure of the Conservative government to find a way forward, the only democratic way to resolve the stalemate and heal divisions is to let the people decide.

What should we be doing to deal with climate change?

Greens will rapidly expand the renewable solar, wind and tidal energy that Wales is so blessed with, providing thousands of green jobs. We will insulate 1 million homes each year and restore natural spaces, planting 700 million trees. We will create a fair and sustainable Britain that our children will be proud of. By voting Green, you can help make this happen.

How do you think Brexit will affect the day-to-day lives of people in the constituency?

It will make us poorer, putting up prices for food and other goods. It will restrict our freedoms and reduce the protections we enjoy as consumers, workers and citizens. It will make our country weaker. And if the conservatives are elected and their leave agreement is implemented, we won’t be getting Brexit done on the 31st January – it will be the start of many years of wrangling over trade deals and other cooperation agreements, leading to more division and chaos.

What do you think is the biggest challenge facing the next MP for Monmouth?

Healing the divisions caused by the Conservatives over Brexit and building a sustainable and fairer society for all.