Newport West by-election candidates named after death of Paul Flynn

The Newport West by-election is taking place on April 4.

It's seen as a test of the main parties as it's the first Parliamentary by-election in the wake of the Brexit chaos.

The by-election was called after the death of Paul Flynn, who had represented the constituency since 1987.

This is the confirmed list of candidates, listed in alphabetical order.

Jonathan Clark - Plaid Cymru

Who is he?

Born in 1966, he attended St Julian’s Comprehensive School, Newport, the University of Wales in Lampeter and Newport and Cardiff University, recently completing an MPhil in Roman Archaeology.

A keen hill walker, he describes himself as a lifelong supporter of Newport County Football Club and the Dragons.

Any policies?

He says the main areas he wants to focus on as Newport West’s MP are social justice, affordable housing and the economy.

About the M4, he says: "“The expensive, damaging, and delusional proposed Black Route won't solve Newport and south Gwent’s traffic problems or help the local journeys we make.

“We need to invest in public transport and improve the existing M4. We need work to start on the metro, the railway stations, and the park and ride at Caerleon - Ponthir, Celtic Lakes, Llanwern and Magor and develop a regular rail service running into Newport from Ebbw Vale.”

Thoughts on Brexit?

“We are two years down the line and appear no closer to deciding on the detail of what we want or how to get it.

“The only option now is to extend Article 50 - so we don’t crash out with a disastrous damaging no deal.”

June Davies - Renew

Mum-of-three, economic teacher June is standing for the Renew party and has lived and worked in south Wales for 25 years.

It is the first time she has stood in any election and says the result of the referendum was her inspiration.

A first language Welsh speaker, she says she is a "proud supporter" of Wales' devolved powers.

Any policies?

"I will tackle the job in Westminster with my priorities firm: investment in education, engagement with the business community to nurture skills across a range of industries and collaboration with the devolved government to improve the post-16 education system.

"We need to urgently protect workers from the negative impacts of leaving the European Union and this means honest discussions involving everyone, potentially through a People’s Assembly for Wales.

“On the local level, I will ensure that we work collaboratively and responsibly to tackle housing shortages, poor transportation and job insecurity".

And Brexit?

“At Renew we believe we should remain in the EU and be a strong voice for reforming politics at all levels. The best deal in our partnership with the EU is still available - it’s the arrangement that we already have as members."

Matthew Evans - Welsh Conservatives

Raised in Newport, Matthew has been a Newport West councillor for 20 years. A former businessman, he is a former leader and mayor of the council and has previously stood to be an Assembly Member.

Any policies?

One of Matthew’s top campaign priorities is securing an M4 relief road.

“I have been calling on the Welsh Government to stop wasting time – and huge sums of taxpayers' money – and make a decision on the relief road. The UK Government stepped up to the plate by getting rid of the Severn tolls, it is now time for the Welsh Government to follow that lead and take action ".

He also wants to see a re generation of the city centre including more support for local shop owners and traders, along with a return to two hours free parking to attract shoppers and visitors to the city.

And Brexit?

A leave voter, he says he understands people’s frustration at the lack of clarity and is "totally opposed to a second referendum".

"As far as Matthew is concerned, the people of Newport have already spoken," a spokeswoman said.

He says he wants to work with the Westminster Government to "take advantage of all the new opportunities leaving the EU will bring to the city".

Neil Hamilton - Ukip Make Brexit Happen

 

The former Conservative MP turned Ukip AM threw his hat into the ring in a bid to return to Westminster.

Born in Monmouthshire, both his grandfathers were coal miners and maternal grandfather ran the Masons Arms, in Blackwood.

He studied economics and politics at Aberystwyth University before becoming a barrister.

He lost his Parliamentary seat in 1997 and became something of a media celebrity, along with wife Christine.

He was elected Welsh Assembly Member for Mid & West Wales and became Ukip group leader.

Any policies?

His policies are listed as "stop mass immigration, bin the BBC licence fee and scrap the Welsh Assembly".

He's tweeted:

And Brexit?

He says he wants to "make Brexit happen".

"All my adult life I have fought to preserve the UK from the tentacles of the bureaucratic and unaccountable 'European Super State'. I joined UKIP in 2002, as it is clearly the only party to share my over-riding view that Britain is better off out."

Ruth Jones - Welsh Labour

Ruth is from the Gaer in Newport. She attended Duffryn Comprehensive School before training to be a physiotherapist. She now lives in Allt-yr-yn with her husband and is a governor at Glasllwch Primary, where her children attended school.

She spent over 30 years in the National Health Service working at Nevill Hall Hospital, Panteg Stroke Unit and Serennu Children’s Centre in Newport.

In 2007, she was elected as President of the Wales Trades Union Congress.

She volunteers at a night shelter.

Her policies?

Since the beginning of her campaign she has called for more police on the streets.

Her background in the NHS means she wants to ensure "the NHS remains true to Nye Bevan’s principles, free at the point of delivery and there for all.”

She says she is concerned about crime saying: "As MP for Newport I would want to make sure that we looked at the policing and made sure that there was adequate funding, which obviously the Tories have stripped out over the years.”

She backs the M4 relief road.

Married with two teenage children she a longstanding Labour party campaigner.

And on Brexit?

Ruth says:  “This government has made a complete shambles of the Brexit negotiations. We can’t accept a damaging Tory Brexit or a no deal outcome.

"If the Prime Minister had good sense she would have appealed across the Commons for consensus much earlier, instead of playing into the hands of the hard right factions in the Conservative Party and the DUP.

"We now need to make sure that her recklessness doesn’t put jobs and the economy at serious risk.”

Ryan Jones - Welsh Liberal Democrats

Ryan Jones, 32, lives in the Gaer, having been brought up in Cwmbran. He runs his own construction business in Newport employing 30 people in the city.

He says it is an "honour" to be selected to represent the constituency.

His policies?

"I want the UK Government to immediately begin preparations to end the apprenticeships levy and consult with businesses, training providers and the Welsh Government to create a  more effective and equitable replacement.

"I know that you cannot have an effective and successful health service without enough funding and that it’s very difficult to give health and social care in Wales the funding it needs without the right funding from Westminster.

"That’s why I firmly support Liberal Democrat calls to put a penny on the pound in income tax to help fund the NHS".

And Brexit?

"Brexit is a national embarrassment. We know the only logical, fair and democratic way to solve this Brexit crisis is to give the people the final say with the option to choose to stay in the EU."

Ian McLean - Social Democratic Party

Ian stood in local council elections in the Abercynon ward of Rhondda Cynon Taff in early 2017 and again in the General Election of 2017 for the Cynon Valley.

He has been a magistrate in Pontypridd and Merthyr Tydfil.

He has recently been elected as a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society.

A former Flight Lieutenant Commissioned Officer in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, he has previously worked for the then-Mid Glamorgan County Council and BT.

His policies?

He says he is not a "single issue Brexit only party".

"We are centrist and moderate, so would appeal to Labour and Conservative voters alike.

"We want to eventually govern this country, which we can only do if we avoid extreme politics. Britain is fractured and our hope is to heal that rift."

The SDP support an M4 relief road.

And Brexit?

"The SDP stands behind the 2016 referendum mandate.  We consider the nation state to be the upper limit of democracy.  The European Union is not and never will be a social democratic enterprise.

"In the absence of a better offer from the EU, we support a WTO Brexit."

They also support a public inquiry into Brexit preparations and negotiations.

Hugh Nicklin - For Britain Movement

Retired teacher Hugh says his party is "in tune with the public, not the Westminster bubble".

"I am a retired teacher, a father, and a lover of rugby! I played for Llangwm and Narberth, a qualified WRU referee, as well as previously serving as vice chairman of the Welsh Schools' Cricket Association.

"For Britain is here to bring long lasting change to politics, ignoring right and left stereotypes."

His policies?

His policies are to leave the EU, end mass immigration and "politically correct policing". He wants protection for children and health services and to invest in local infrastructure and job creation.

And Brexit?

For Britain believes that the United Kingdom must cease to be a member of the European Union "without further delay".

Richard Suchorzewski - Abolish the Welsh Assembly Party

Describes himself as "company director and independent commentator and speaker on political and business affairs as well as senior mortgage and protection broker."

Richard, who lives in Barry, was previously a chairman of Ukip in Wales and is a former flight lieutenant in the RAF Volunteer Reserve.

Policies?

He wants to see the National Assembly for Wales abolished saying it is a "complete waste of taxpayers' money which could be better spent on essential services in Wales rather than an extra tier of unnecessary politicians."

"We aim to get AMs elected at the next Assembly election in 2021," he said upon his selection.

He says that transportation is one of the "biggest issues" affecting Newport, an issue which is devolved. He says £44m was spent on the relief road "£44m which could have been spent employing nurses".

And Brexit?

"As a party we have a single policy and message - "abolish the Welsh Assembly" and as such, welcome votes from brexiteers and remainers across the political spectrum. In saying that however, the people of Wales and the UK overall voted for Brexit democratically and Westminster has an obligation to act accordingly."

Phillip Taylor - Democrats and Veterans Party

"I was raised in Newport and followed my father into the Army serving with the HQ Battery - Royal Artillery in Newport, seeing active service in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"The two main parties promise ‘Jam tomorrow’ and deliver what? Higher crime, higher pollution, servitude for the low paid, lack of housing, a failing NHS, a drugs, knives and guns epidemic on our streets and the destruction of our communities.

"Here in Wales, Labour has been in charge for two decades. They pronounce Wales is a sanctuary for refugees and asylum seekers – yet we have homeless people and Armed Forces Veterans sleeping in waste bins across this country."

His policies?

"We believe that there is irrefutable evidence that representative democracy has failed to deliver the will of the British people and that it will only be by the means of incrementally introducing direct democracy - whereby the people decide laws directly - that Britain will ever return to a condition that may honestly be describe as a democracy."

He supports the M4 relief road.

And Brexit?

"In the EU Referendum Newport voted “Leave” by a massive majority, 44% remain 56% leave, yet the Political Establishment refuses to listen".

Amelia Womack - Green Party

Deputy leader of the Green Party, Amelia was born, and lives, in Newport.

She attended Bassaleg School before attending Liverpool University and Imperial College London. She has previously stood in London local elections and the European elections before standing in Wales, first in the 2016 Assembly elections.

She has spoken about fast fashion, air pollution and stopping the expansion of Heathrow.

Her policies?

She wants a "Green New Deal" for the city meaning  investment  in clean power, public transport and energy-efficient homes, as well as sustainable, well-paid jobs.

"This is an opportunity to send a clear message that bold action is needed when we have just 12 years to avoid climate catastrophe. Newport needs an end to austerity and investment in health, social care and housing."

And Brexit?

She is a people's vote campaigner who says the gridlock in Parliament can be ended with a second referendum.