Choose the Person, Not the Party As an Independent, I stand out in the race to be the next Member of Parliament for Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney.

Full statement

I am the only Independent voice, free from the constraints of party politics.

You may think this unusual for Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney, but remember the late Peter Law, who won in 2005 with a landslide victory as an Independent candidate.

'History doesn’t repeat itself, but it often rhymes', (Mark Twain)

My pledges are locally focused. After many years of top-down governance from London, I aim to reverse that trend by being present in our community as much as possible. Together, with your help, we can build a great Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney from the ground up, becoming the envy of Wales.

'I Work for You’

Election Pledges

Health, Safety, and Wellbeing,

I will visit every hospital, care home, hospice and supported living service to understand their needs firsthand, rather than relying on data alone. As a support worker and carer, I know the care sector is in crisis. I will advocate for better visibility, accessibility, and attractiveness of support services. For urgent medical treatment, I will push for faster access to care, reducing waiting lists and ensuring services are available for those most in need. I will hold local health authorities accountable for making services more accessible and not overly reliant on technology to access.

Policing and Safety

I will visit each police station and fire service to better understand their specific needs. I will encourage collaboration between commissioners and community groups to enhance communication and ensure a visible police presence which is also easier for communities to approach when needed.

Police resources should focus on criminal matters, not civil disputes. I will also address anti-social behaviour with continuous community engagement and innovative solutions. Additionally, I will establish a forum for teachers and police to discuss and solve issues related to anti-social behaviour in schools

Education

Schools in Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney face a funding crisis; coming from a family of teachers, I understand the importance of addressing this issue urgently. I will also focus on protecting teachers' safety by implementing stronger safeguards and understanding the reasons behind worsening class behaviour.

Businesses

I will hold councils accountable for supporting local businesses, including reviewing ‘business rates’ and creating events to encourage in-person shopping. Digital payment methods are important, but I will ensure cash remains a viable and permanent option in our community - ‘Cash is King’.

Energy

I will hold councils accountable for facilitating a balanced debate on ‘human caused climate change’, challenging the notion of a climate emergency. Science must always be questioned and scrutinized.

Transportation

I will push for a complete overhaul of the bus network (Brynmawr bus depot) and ensure improvements to the rail network are kept (Abertillery railway station). I will also review the 20mph limit rollout, advocating for community consultation before making poorly thought out costly decisions.

Roads

Potholes are a constant issue. I will engage with and hold councils to account to provide the financial support needed to keep our roads safe and efficient for all modes of transport.

No Farmers, No Food

'We all need a farmer three times a day' (Gareth Wyn Jones). Taking precious farming land out of production under the 'Sustainable Farming Scheme' needs to be challenged as we should be supporting our hard working farmers rather than putting unnecessary obstacles in their way.

Choose the Person, Not the Party - ‘I work for you’

About me and my family I come from a working-class background. My mother was a housewife, and my father was a teacher who, like most families, worked hard to put food on the table and pay the endless bills. For the past nine years, my passion has been working with vulnerable adults as a support worker and carer. This job gives me enormous satisfaction, knowing that my dedication makes a real difference to those who need it the most. A measure of civilization is how well it protects its most vulnerable members of society.

Community Engagement I moved to Abertillery seven years ago to start a business, but I knew I could do more.

After becoming committee secretary for my local allotment and community councillor for Llanhilleth Ward, I knew I could do more.

After witnessing my country being slowly destroyed by successive governments pushing policies that no one wants or asks for:

I know I can do so much more.

The current Situation The people of Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney are fed up with wasteful policies that serve no benefit to anyone. It has become abundantly clear over many years they are not interested in the people's opinions. Instead, they are following an agenda of out-of-touch party politics and adhering to the directives of non-elected bureaucrats and corporations, rather than serving the public good to build a stronger Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney for everyone.

Why vote Independent?

As an Independent, I am free from the shackles of 'towing the party line

'I will ask the difficult questions, give straight answers, and hold people to account.

don't work for them—I work for you.

Now isn’t that a refreshing change