Today we highlight some of the prospective candidates hoping to win your vote in the forthcoming Senedd elections for Monmouthshire tomorrow, on May 6.

Candidates are listed by name and party followed by their mission statement

Cllr Peter Fox

Conservative Senedd candidate for Monmouth

It is a great privilege to be selected to stand in the Senedd elections for the Welsh Conservatives. I am thankful for the many messages of support and have been humbled by the confidence in me.

I love our part of Wales; I live here, work here and have raised my family here. I am married and have four grown up children and seven grandchildren and alongside my public service I am a tenant Farmer.

My career in public service has spanned almost twenty five years, thirteen of which I have been the Leader of Monmouthshire County Council.

I believe strongly that I have proven that I have what it takes to strongly represent this constituency. I have a reputation for getting things done, I work hard and don’t offer just fine words. My political career to date has been built on getting results, delivering for all parts of our communities.

As Monmouthshire County Council Leader I have overseen the delivery of many new schools; a new livestock market; town centre improvements; new models of social care and better waste management and much more. I’m also committed to seeing social justice delivered and the tackling of the huge issue of climate change, something so important as we think about the world we want to leave to our grandchildren and future generations.

If elected to the Welsh Parliament I would build on all I’ve done to date and use my experience and influence to really make a difference here.

But my first priority would be the recovery from this devastating pandemic. We need to get the country back on its feet; we need to support businesses like never before and address many societal issues as a result of COVID-19 and the lockdowns; things like mental health, loneliness, homelessness and poverty. We need to ensure our NHS is resilient and able to tackle the waiting list backlog with robust delivery plans in place for health issues including cancer, heart disease, stroke, dementia, diabetes, sepsis and obesity.

I’m also passionate about our rural community - Farmers feed the nation and our rural communities maintain the environment we all love – this underpins our tourism and hospitality sectors, both fundamental to our economy especially here in Monmouthshire. 

I pledge to you that if you vote for me and put your trust in me I will not let you down.

Catrin Maby – Labour Senedd candidate for Monmouth

I started my working life as an engineer, but was drawn into working on energy efficiency in housing when I heard about families struggling to keep warm and afford their energy bills, because their homes were too difficult to heat. I have worked for 30 years on sustainable energy and fuel poverty, and am increasingly concerned about climate change and environmental pollution. This is urgent now, and we are seeing the effects here, with floods and extreme weather events.

I want to use this knowledge and experience to make a difference politically. I have been an adviser, technical consultant, charity chief executive, and business manager. It seems to me that there are not enough people in politics with technical knowledge or experience of running small businesses.

Another thing that has motivated me to stand for the Senedd is the shock of seeing how much worse social inequality has become, and what this has done to people’s lives. And I feel very strongly about the need for honesty and integrity in public life.

I live near Monmouth and brought my children up here. My grandfather grew up on a farm near Raglan, and my great grandmother ran a girls school in Abergavenny. I have a strong sense of my Welsh identity, and see a positive future for Wales as one of a voluntary association of four sovereign nations, within a federal UK – allowing our economy and culture to thrive, without the damage of new hard borders or sudden separation from England.

My priorities for the Senedd are: effective action on climate change and environmental pollution; ensuring that everyone has access to secure, affordable housing; an integrated and sustainable transport system; better jobs closer to home; education and lifelong learning for all; and fully resourced and integrated health and social care provision.

Nick Ramsay, standing as Independent in Senedd elections

It’s been a privilege to represent the Monmouth Constituency in the Senedd over the last 14 years.

During that time I’ve got to know many of you personally, dealt with thousands of constituent cases, fought many local campaigns and been a strong, constructive voice for Monmouthshire in the Welsh Parliament.

As chair of the Public Accounts Committee, I’ve led inquiries across many areas, holding the Welsh Government to account on its public spending.

Tackling the pandemic remains the top priority and building back better, fairer and greener.

If re-elected I will continue to defend Nevill Hall Hospital, ensuring it’s fit for purpose as a local, general hospital.

I will support the economy, pressing the Welsh Government to reform the outdated business rates system, creating a more level playing field for the high street and online businesses.

Tourism, rural shows and local events like the Abergavenny Food Festival need far more support to get back on their feet post-lockdown.

I will continue to campaign for our local transport infrastructure. We need better bus services and Monmouthshire must be fully incorporated into the South Wales Metro map via a new hub at the Celtic Manor. The A4042 needs upgrading to provide better links to the Grange University Hospital. Chepstow badly needs a bypass.

I will press for more electric car charging stations and a comprehensive green energy infrastructure.

I will campaign for our rural, farming communities, ensuring that the UK Government’s shared prosperity fund truly delivers.

And we need a new local government funding formula so that rural authorities like Monmouthshire get the financial support they need to keep council tax down.

The Senedd is acquiring new financial powers and it is essential these are used wisely. We must strive for a competitive Welsh economy which serves all our people. The Welsh rate of income tax must be kept as low as possible, allowing people to make their own financial decisions and to invest in their businesses and employees.

Much has been achieved for the constituency but there is more to be done. We must pull together, moving on from traditional, partisan party politics. I am passionate about my home and ask you for your support in the forthcoming election and the opportunity to continue serving you as your Senedd member.

Jo Watkins Liberal Democrat candidate for Monmouth

I am 47, married, and have two school-age children. We also have a family rescue-dog Nyima, adopted from Newport City Dogs Home who we enjoy walking in the countryside.

For leisure I enjoy reading, board games and gardening. I am the Lib Dem Group Leader on Monmouthshire County Council and a keen environmentalist.

In 2019 I successfully persuaded Monmouthshire County Council to make a cross-party declaration of a council-wide climate emergency, making it the first council in Gwent to do so.

I believe in serving my local community and at the start of the Covid crisis I took on management of a local Food Bank when many of our volunteers had to shield.

The Senedd needs to focus on swift action to combat climate change.

This is not just necessary to secure a safe and prosperous planet for future generations, but also represents an opportunity for growth in new skills business, jobs and innovation across Wales.

The LibDem pledge of £1 billion per year to face up to the climate emergency is badly needed. To meet our climate commitments as a nation we need to transform how homes are heated in Wales, and replace our reliance on fossil fuels for heating and cooking with new, green systems. By investing in education, skills and transformative technologies, Wales can lead the next industrial revolution – the environmental revolution – and become a world leader in the most important industry of the 21st century.

I’m passionate about education as the key route to transforming our nation, and am a keen advocate of the new Welsh curriculum - built from the ground up by the teaching profession, and led by Lib Dem Education Minister Kirsty Williams. As a parent I know how expensive childcare is so I’m delighted by our LibDem policy of free childcare from nine months for all children.

Ian Chandler – Green Party candidate for Monmouth constituency and South Wales East region

I’m standing for election as I feel we need more Senedd members who put people’s well-being before party interests.

I live in Monmouthshire and my children attend Monmouth Comprehensive School.

I’ve worked for many years with charities supporting people in poverty and those with disabilities or terminal illness.

I know how important public services are and have seen the power of communities coming together in times of crisis – whether it be Covid or the flooding that has devastated many homes over the past 18 months.

If elected, I will fight for investment in our towns and villages, giving local communities the power and resources to rebuild Wales from the bottom up.

Greens will regenerate our high streets by supporting local businesses to set up and expand, as well as funding the community organisations and arts groups that bring our towns and villages to life.

It is through listening to communities and investing locally that we can build back better after this pandemic.

Our Green New Deal for Wales will provide security for all and ensure carbon reduction targets are reached at the scale and pace needed to tackle the climate emergency.

We will create tens of thousands of new jobs by building thousands of new warm zero carbon homes each year (and converting thousands more old houses to be more energy efficient and cheaper to heat), installing rooftop solar on every hospital, and replacing all diesel buses in Wales with electric buses assembled in Wales.

We will introduce a Universal Basic Income so no child goes hungry and everyone has financial security and dignity, as well as enabling people to set up new businesses or learn new skills.

We will invest in integrated health and social care systems and provide high quality education and training.

With Labour unable to win regional seats in South Wales East, the fourth seat will be between Abolish the Welsh Assembly or Wales Green Party (the more proportional voting system on this ballot penalises parties already winning seats in constituencies). On the 6 May, you have the chance to make history, and elect the first Greens to the Senedd.

Your choice is between an extreme right-wing party seeking to destroy Welsh democracy, or the chance for a bright, Green future. Diolch.

Hugh Kocan, Plaid Cymru

I am 24, born and raised in Abergavenny.

I have studied at both Swansea and Cardiff University, focusing on economics and the economy of Wales.

Currently I work for a Welsh based non-profit organisation.

My earliest political memory is the 2008 financial crash, and since then all I have known is austerity, cuts to public services, and the erosion of our communities.

The decisions made by both the Welsh and Westminster governments have weakened our hospitals, schools and towns the coronavirus pandemic has revealed the flaws inherent to the system.

I also believe the Covid crisis brought to light the incomparable value of community.

Across Monmouthshire, people are volunteering to help all those in need. Giving up their time to make a difference in their community. A community where people are connected and are able to rely upon one another is the basis for a strong country.

Personally, I am incredibly proud of my hometown, and I have always been keen to lend my time to different causes.

Be it helping with the local litter picking group or picking up essentials for people shielding during Covid.

It is this kind of community action that makes our towns and villages such fantastic places to live. The past year has shown that people can work together for the benefit of our communities.

It is time our political class gave our communities the support they deserve.

If elected, I hope to help rebuild and strengthen our communities by focusing on:

Developing a strong local economy by investing and supporting local business and agriculture over multinational corporations. Investment in a cooperatively run, not for profit transport network.

Improving broadband coverage in Monmouth to help businesses grow, and to encourage people to work locally, rather than in Cardiff.

Supporting citizen’s assemblies and bringing power closer to the people. Helping young people in finding affordable housing and employment.

Mark Reckless

Abolish the Welsh Assembley Party

If you believe in and support the United Kingdom, vote Abolish the Welsh Assembly Party in the election on May 6th.

While other parties jeopardise our Union by going along with devolution or even agitating for Welsh independence, I am standing in this election to save our Union.

If you want to stop Cardiff Bay giving a platform to anti-British separatists, vote for me in Monmouth.

If you cannot support me in the constituency because you have already pledged your vote elsewhere, please consider voting for Abolish the Welsh Assembly Party on the regional white paper ballot, where our name will be at the top.

I’ve been a Member of the Assembly/Senedd, and I’ve seen how much contempt it has for the United Kingdom, and how devolution is always a one way street leading to more and more powers for politicians in Cardiff Bay.

I have previously worked as an economist and a lawyer and served as a Member of Parliament. I am married and have three young children, two boys and a girl.

The Abolish the Welsh Assembly Party wants to remove a whole layer of politicians by getting rid of the 60 AMs/MSs in Cardiff Bay, soon to rise to up to 90, and save the £65 million required annually to support them.

We want to see Cardiff Bay tax powers returned to the UK Government, so nobody can be made to pay more tax purely because they live in a Wales made so much poorer by devolution. In addition, we believe we should return to one NHS, so patients in Wales can be treated equally to those in England, with shorter waiting times and better health outcomes.

Abolish supports UK Government building the M4 Relief Road, working with Newport Council, to support our economy.

Academies and free schools should be able to set up here in Wales, to offer parents a wider and better choice of schools, subjects taught and language used.

Finally, we will end the one million Welsh speakers target, and have the public sector communicate in Welsh on request rather than sending everything out bilingually, which is a drain on taxpayer cash and environmental resources.

Vote Abolish the Welsh Assembly Party to stop Wales sleepwalking towards independence.

Laurence Williams - Gwlad The Welsh Independence Party

Laurence Williams, aged 57 works in the buildings, engineer and electrical industry.

I have worked in Guy’s Hospital / Kings College, London as an engineering supervisor.

My interests include; History and Politics, Battle re - enactment, Singing (ex - Gwalia MVC), Comedy and Acting.

I believe the Senedd needs to break its London link to properly concentrate on Wales.

All the major parties, liblabcon greens, are based in London. Wales needs Welsh parties, like they have in Ireland.

Rename it ‘Sir Fynwy’ over ‘County of Monmouth’ and make a ‘Free Port’ (Newport or Chepstow) like Braintree and Bicester to get the tourists and money in! Maybe even a Casino and Ballroom like in Blackpool ?!

Kevin Boucher,

Reform Party

THE Reform Party, formerly the Brexit Party, has launched its manifesto. James Wells is Reform UK’s lead candidate for South Wales East and the party’s candidate for Monmouth is Kevin Boucher.

Their statement says: ‘‘Wales has some of the most deprived areas in Europe, caused by huge wealth and health inequalities. After nearly a quarter of a century of Labour rule in Wales, it is time to try something different”.

“Many people put their trust in The Brexit Party in 2019. We delivered on that trust and now we are asking people to trust us again. People can still support their main party using their constituency vote. What we are asking people to do is lend us their second vote on the regional list”.

Reform UK’s top four policies are:

• No more lockdowns in Wales - now that we have vaccines, new treatments and we know who is at risk.

• Clear NHS backlog caused by Covid - by investing a £1 billion over the next four years to put waiting lists back to pre-pandemic levels.

• Reduce the cost of local government and freeze council tax for four years.

• Rebuild High Streets and hospitality sector by introducing an online sales tax and using the money to scrap business rates.

On no more lockdowns: “Now that we have vaccines, new treatments and a knowledge of who is at risk from Covid, we must use this information to take a more targeted approach to managing the disease. Lockdowns have caused huge collateral damage to our communities; we must not damage them further by shutting schools and businesses again”.

On clearing the NHS backlog caused by Covid the party says: “The pandemic has led to a large increase in the backlog of NHS operations. Reform UK will invest £1 billion over the next four years to clear this backlog so that people are not waiting for years to receive important operations”.

On reforming local government James Wells said: “Wales has 22 councils serving 3.2 million people that deliver similar services at a great cost to taxpayers. Reform UK will reduce the number of councils by half, cap chief executive pay at £150,000 a year and use the savings to freeze council tax for four years”.

On rebuilding high streets and hospitality sector Kevin Boucher said: “Our high streets and hospitality sector were already struggling before the Covid pandemic.

‘‘Monmouth has one of the best market town high streets in Wales, but even it has suffered from businesses closing down. Monmouth town centre is so important for so many people. It’s a place where people meet friends, drink coffee and support local businesses. Reform UK understands this and will work to ensure our high street continues to thrive”.

Monmouth Senedd

Election candidates:

Susan Boucher – Reform UK

Ian Roy Chandler – Green Party

Peter Alan Fox – Conservative

Elspeth Agnes Pearl Hill – Freedom Alliance. No Lockdowns. No Curfews

Hugh Michael Andrew Kocan – Plaid Cymru

Catrin Myfanwy Maby – Labour

Nick Ramsay – Independent

Mark John Reckless – Abolish The Welsh Assembly Party

Jo Watkins – Liberal Democrats

Laurence Williams – Gwlad – The Welsh Independence Party

Residents are also invited to choose the new Gwent Police and Crime Commissioner on the same day.

The candidates are:

Donna Cushing, Plaid Cymru

Jeff Cuthbert, Labour

Paul William Harley Independent

Hannah Jarvis Conservative

Clayton Francis Jones Gwlad

John Miller Liberal Democrats