I am determined to secure a better future for Brecon and Radnorshire, making it an even better place to live, work and raise a family.

Full statement

These are the things I will focus on if elected as your Member of Parliament.

Championing the Welsh farming sector The agricultural sector faces challenges, not least the uncertainty caused by delaying Brexit. This is further complicated by the Welsh Government’s approach to the future of the Basic Payment Scheme. I believe there is a positive future for Brecon and Radnorshire’s beef and sheep farmers outside the EU. I am campaigning for greater recognition of what farmers do to ensure Welsh farming standards are not undermined and will urge the Government to let farmers do what they do best.

Campaigning for improved broadband and mobile coverage Access to better broadband and phone signal is vital for residents and businesses across our rural area. My priority is to work with BT and Openreach and bring all parties to the table to understand the barriers to high speed broadband and identify solutions. As your Member of Parliament, I will ensure Brecon and Radnorshire is not left behind.

Strengthening education in Powys The Welsh Government continues to severely underfund Powys County Council, particularly on education funding. In Brecon and Radnorshire we receive £645 less per pupil than in England. Our Liberal Democrat Welsh Assembly Member is responsible for education in Wales and this is an issue I will immediately raise.

Backing the Mid Wales Growth Deal The Conservative Government has allocated £55 million for initiatives to stimulate economic growth in Brecon and Radnorshire. I will work with Government to ensure that local businesses see the benefits of funding to create jobs and prosperity across our area.

Ensuring local people are involved in decision making Meeting the Government’s targets for alternative energy solutions is an important goal but they cannot be met with no thought for the natural environment. Over-populating the landscape with windfarms will blight the iconic scenery that farmers in Brecon and Radnorshire have stewarded for generations and I want local people to be able to decide what is right for their community.

About Fay Jones

I was born and brought up in Cardiff, going to a local comprehensive school before studying French at King’s College, University of London.

I left home at 18 and moved to Brussels to work for Jonathan Evans MEP (a former MP for Brecon and Radnorshire), before going on to London as researcher to David Jones MP in and around my time at university. After graduating, my first job was as researcher to His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales.

In 2012, I moved to Defra to join the UK negotiating team in the 2011 Common Agricultural Policy reform. Working closely with the farming sector, my role was to win support for the UK’s aims and ambitions. I then joined the National Farmers Union, spending almost five years working on behalf of UK farmers, including a 3 year posting in the NFU’s Brussels office. Over the period of the renegotiation and the referendum, I ensured that European Member States heard the voice of UK farming. Consequently, I have a wealth of experience in UK agriculture - particularly in fighting on behalf of Welsh farmers.

I came home to Wales in 2017. Earlier this summer, I volunteered to coordinate Boris Johnson’s leadership campaign in Wales, building a groundswell of support behind the now Prime Minister.

Away from politics, I am hugely keen on exercise. A former coxswain with Twickenham Rowing Club, I've run a number of half marathons and triathlons for charity. In 2014, I completed the New York Marathon for Prostate Cancer UK – raising over £10,000. I'm a keen amateur cook and love to feed my family and friends - consequently, I am a regular visitor to Brecon's butchers and markets!

In Parliament, I will be draw on my previous experience and be a loud champion for food and farming. I will also work closely to bring BT, Openreach and mobile phone operators together to secure greater connectivity through faster rural broadband and better mobile coverage. I am also keen to do all I can to support the Armed Forces. I know well what sacrifices servicemen and women make to serve their country as my boyfriend Tim serves in the Duke of Lancaster's regiment.

I am proud and honoured to be the prospective Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for such a wonderful constituency as Brecon & Radnorshire and will work tirelessly to win this seat back. Brecon and Radnorshire deserves a champion who will protect and enhance our way of life here - I will do exactly that.