THE fight for voters ahead of the Senedd election 2021 is in full swing!
Candidates for the Vale of Clwyd constituency are laying the groundwork and intensifying their campaigns.
Persons nominated include: Peter Christopher Dain (Reform UK); Gareth Davies (Welsh Conservative Party Candidate); Lisa Jane Davies (Welsh Liberal Democrats); Jason Mathew Mclellan (Welsh Labour); Glenn Swingler (Plaid Cymru) and David Lee Thomas (Independent).
Peter Christopher Dain (Reform UK)
Peter Christopher Dain (Reform UK) stood as a Parliamentary candidate in the Vale of Clwyd at the last general election.
The early years outdoor education consultant/teacher, who describes himself as an “all year round outdoor swimmer”, is an adoptive father and main carer for five children.
Mr Dain said: “I am standing in the Vale of Clwyd for Reform UK as a strong proponent of education, children, small business, hospitality and tourism. An anti-lockdown candidate opposed to any additional lockdowns.
“I have lived in Wales for over 30 years - I am originally from a council estate in South London.”
Mr Dain, who is an Aberystwyth University International Politics and Strategic Studies Graduate and has a Masters in Military History, has a partner who is a family law barrister.
“I’ve been a teacher since 2000,” Mr Dain added.
“I run my own specialist consultancy in early years outdoor education. I have experienced first-hand the impact that adverse early experiences have on children. My own children attend local Welsh medium schools.”
Gareth Davies (Welsh Conservative Party Candidate)
The 32-year-old lived in Rhyl for 25 years.
“I grew up attending local schools and colleges and was born in St Asaph, so my roots lie firmly in the Vale of Clwyd constituency,” Mr Davies said.
He has worked for Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) as a frontline worker for the past 11 years.
“I want to stand for the Senedd to represent the area I love and care about, and make profound and sustainable change to how my area and country is governed,” he said.
“Under Labour we’ve witnessed falling standards in healthcare, education, and many services that we rely on a daily basis.
“I ask the good people of the Vale of Clwyd to make their voices heard this year and elect me as their Welsh Conservative Senedd Member who will fight our corner at every turn and will strive to improve our local healthcare, education, and local services to bring about real and lasting change.
“I’m young, energetic, and brimming with fantastic ideas to put the Vale of Clwyd and Wales on the front foot and be a proud nation once again.”
Away from work and politics, Mr Davies enjoys running, hillwalking, and spending time with his family and friends.
Lisa Jane Davies (Welsh Liberal Democrats)
From a young age she has wanted to make the world a better place and in the past, has written to councillors, MPs and the prime minister about her concerns.
“Aged nine, I wrote to the Queen about testing cosmetics on animals and I am the proud owner of a Blue Peter badge after asking them to raise awareness about deforestation in the Amazon,” Ms Davies said (who is pictured on page six).
“Although I was an able student at school, I was not able immediately to realise my original career plans and found myself married and a mother of three young children by the age of 21.
“It is only in the past few years that I have been able actively to begin to achieve my wider aims and aspirations.”
Ms Davies said she is focused on improving the lives of other people.
“I will never stop fighting to promote equality and fairness, to protect the vulnerable and the planet,” she added.
“Here in North Wales, our communities have been hit hard by Coronavirus. Individuals, small businesses and our precious tourism industry need massive support in order to recover from the ravages of the virus.
“If elected as Liberal Democrat Senedd Member for Vale of Clwyd, I will work unstintingly to put the recovery of our communities first and foremost.”
Jason Mathew Mclellan (Welsh Labour)
“I represented and worked for the most vulnerable in our society, including victims of domestic abuse and young adults in the care system,” Mr Mclellan said.
“I was a county councillor with a track record of working hard in the community, getting results for residents, opposing austerity cuts and fighting for public services.
“I have spent my entire career helping to resolve people’s problems.
“I understand the difficulties people face day to day.
“I am driven by my desire for a fairer, more equal Wales and if elected will work hard for policies that deliver a more just society.”
Mr Mclellan wants to see investment in communities and to rebuild resilience following a tough year.
“Environmental issues need to be at the heart of all decision making,” he added.
“To alleviate the scourge of poor housing we should embark on a programme of building low carbon affordable housing.
“Economic regeneration will be a priority for me. We need to have high quality well paid employment in the Vale of Clwyd backed up with a fair educational system that gives everybody a chance.”
Glenn Swingler (Plaid Cymru)
Glenn Swingler (Plaid Cymru) is a county councillor in Denbighshire and town councillor in Denbigh.
The adult mental health support worker was born and raised in Nottingham and Kent and came to Wales 35-years-ago where he met his wife, Beth, who is from Denbigh.
Mr Swingler said: “We’ve been married 31 years and have two grown up children and four grandchildren, not forgetting the two dogs and four cats.
“I’m standing to make a difference. No matter who you are, where you originate, whatever language you speak, whatever your religion or none, however you identify, the Vale of Clwyd, and Wales, is home.
“We have talented, well educated people and with ambition we can achieve great things together.”
David Lee Thomas (Independent)
The 40-year-old, who was born in St Asaph and currently lives in Rhyl, is an operations manager for a large energy company.
Mr Thomas said: “Although I am a newcomer to politics, I have so many transferable skills due to my previous work history and dealing with conflict, negotiating, finding solutions to problems and dealing with important stakeholders to name just a few. I will be a strong voice for the people within the Vale of Clwyd and serve them with the dedication and commitment that they deserve.
“I am standing as an independent candidate and I will be the true voice of the people and serve the people as they would expect to be represented without any of the party politics getting in the way of the job in-hand.
“It is my opinion that at times the people from North Wales are forgotten and I want to change that for the people of the Vale of Clwyd.
“I have many plans but an example of a few are monthly touch points, setting up a charity to deal with children’s bullying and cyber bullying, tackling poverty in the elderly and supporting local charities.”
----------------------
The date of election is Thursday, May 6. A poll will also run for the election for a Police and Crime Commissioner.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here