I’m not a career politician.

Full statement

I’ve fought for social justice from the outside. As a Community Organiser I’ve been behind-the-scenes, broadening our democracy to include those cut out of decision-making. And making sure politics delivers for people.

But I am standing now because I fear we are sleepwalking into an historic Labour defeat next year. And I fear that the rise of the far-right and the Trumpification of our politics poses an existential threat to devolution.

I’m standing because I want a brighter future for my family – and for yours. I’m standing so the Vale gets another community-minded, social justice-orientated MS to follow in Jane Hutt’s footsteps.

And I am standing because I believe Welsh Labour’s mission is to be truly radical: “to make hope possible, rather than despair convincing.” I’ll be fighting for hope, every step of the way!

My hope is born of experience. That we have more in common than divides us. That we can defeat the far-right. And that the Labour Party can fight for a Real Living Wage and welcome refugees at the same time.

Yes, that makes me a different kind of candidate, but this is a different kind of election.

I’ve got a plan to turn the Labour Party into a vibrant campaigning movement as well as an effective election machine – and I want you to help shape it.