ASSEMBLY ELECTION: Monmouth profile and candidates

The largely rural area borders Caldicot, Pontypool, Cwmbran and Blaenavon in the west, Brecon in the north and the English border in the west and encompasses Chepstow, Usk, Abergavenny and the town of Monmouth itself.

David Davies won the seat in 1999 – despite campaigning against the establishment of the Welsh Assembly – and extended his majority by more than 16 per cent in 2003.

He was elected as MP for the region in 2005 and stepped down from the Assembly in 2007. Fellow Conservative Nick Ramsay was elected as his successor, was re-elected in 2011 and is running again this year.

Many people living in Monmouth work over the border in Bristol or the surrounding area, and therefore the price of tolls on the two Severn Crossings has been a perennial issue of campaigning for politicians and others living in the area. Both Mr Davies and Mr Ramsay claimed victory when Chancellor George Osborne announced in his spring budget that tolls would be cut in half in 2018.

People living in Monmouth are paid around £40 more than the national average of £530 a week – a massive £170 more than their neighbours in Blaenau Gwent – and unemployment is just 1.6 per cent. This makes it the only area of Gwent in which the rate of unemployment is below the national average of 2.5 per cent.

Monmouthshire is also the only area of Gwent where child poverty is lower than the national average of 18.2 per cent. In Monmouthshire it stands at 12.1 per cent.

But it is also expensive to live in the area – house prices are about £13,000 more expensive than the national average, with properties in the region costing around £205,000. The number of older people in the area is significantly higher than the national average. People aged 65 and older make up 23.1 per cent of the population in comparison with the national average of 17 per cent.

Monmouthshire also has by far the greatest number of registered businesses in Gwent, with 3,765 when the most recent study was carried out in 2014. Newport West, which has the second highest number in the region, is more than 1,700 behind. This can be somewhat accounted for by the geographical size of the region.

YOUR CANDIDATES

Debby Blakebrough (Independent)

My background in nursing, social care, working with vulnerable people and in training and management, as well as being a wife and mother, have given me broad experience.

That "real life" experience is crucial in properly understanding peoples' needs and aspirations.

Many people are fed up with party politics.

They're fed up with politicians who do no more than repeat some party line, who make grand promises but who never deliver.

I want to find solutions, working not just for you, but with you.

Together we can achieve so much more.

I'm not a member of any political party, but I have shown as a county councillor that I can work with people of all parties and none to get things done.

Not having a party affiliation means that I have no interest in narrow party advantage.

As an Independent in the Welsh Assembly I'll be able to think, speak and act freely.

There'll be no whip to tell me what to do or say.

My focus will be solely on the interests of the Monmouth constituency and its residents.

In other words, on you.

That's why I'm asking for your support, for a fresh start, on 5 May.

Jonathan Clark (Plaid Cymru)

Our small businesses need to be championed, they need a level playing field to prosper, grow and create jobs and with better public sector procurement our farmers and small businesses can supply quality local produce, goods and services to our public sector.

The constituency needs a decent reliable integrated transport system.

I will fight for feasibility studies into the reopening the old railway line to Usk and for a railway station between Little Mill and Penperleni.

Our few railway stations need to be real transport hubs integrated with local bus services, with safe, secure affordable parking.

We need to retain small schools across the constituency.

We need to cut (and then abolish) the Severn Bridge tolls, which are a tax on jobs, commuters and businesses.

We need to develop community beneficial small-scale green energy projects so rural and urban communities can benefit.

Residents need access to affordable housing so they can afford to live here.

I was born in 1966, in Newport, and educated at St Julian’s Comprehensive School, the University of Wales, Lampeter (BA Hons History), the University of Wales, Newport (MA Celto-Roman Studies) and Cardiff University (MPhil Roman Archaeology).

I am married to Maria, and live in Newport.

Catherine Fookes (Welsh Labour)

I have lived in Monmouthshire for 15 years and have always worked for change.

Currently I’m Campaign Manager at the Organic Trade Board.

I’m standing for election because the Westminster cuts have increased inequality in our seemingly wealthy community.

Education, transport, housing and jobs desperately need new energy.

Since becoming Monmouth Labour Party’s candidate I’ve met countless individuals and visited businesses, voluntary organisations, community groups and schools.

In Abergavenny I joined the campaigns to save Deri View Special Needs Resource Base and to uncover Morrisons’ intentions regarding the cattle market site.

In Monmouth I’m working with residents to enforce the 50mph limit on the A40 and to make access to play facilities safer.

In Chepstow I’m fighting to get the Minor Injuries Unit reopened and to help resolve traffic issues.

In Croesyceiliog, I’m campaigning to keep the school 6th form open.

In my current role I’ve secured £1.5m investment from the EU.

I can use my skills and contacts to bring investment into this constituency.

People should vote Labour because the Welsh Government’s record is excellent.

Jobs Growth Wales created 110 thousand apprenticeships and 15 thousand jobs.

And last year Wales recorded the best GCSE and A level results ever.

Veronica German (Welsh Liberal Democrats)

I believe people want an Assembly Member who like them is ambitious for Wales.

We have been let down by a Labour government who have failed to get the basics right.

As a former teacher with three children growing up locally, my priorities are your priorities.

More time for NHS staff to care for patients by putting more nurses in our hospitals and communities; smaller class sizes giving teachers more time to teach our children.

We have to ensure that government does all it can to support our local businesses and develop inward investment, so that incomes rise and there are quality jobs and affordable housing available for our young people.

We need to completely reform business rates and scrap the tolls on the Severn Crossings as soon as possible.

Monmouth needs an Assembly Member who will speak out and meet the needs of our community.

It is unbelievable we are still waiting for the Critical Care Centre in Llanfrechfa, after Labour promised a 2013 start.

We need a local NHS that meets our needs.

In opposition the small group of Welsh Liberal Democrats used their influence to achieve more investment in our schools and thousands of new apprenticeships.

A vote for me and the Welsh Liberal Democrats is a vote for your priorities and a dynamic and innovative Wales.

Stephen Morris (English Democrats – Letting Monmouthshire Decide)

I’m 50 Years old, married with three children; a daughter 22 and two boys aged 20 and eight and was previously a Parent Governor of the local High school which my eldest children attended.

My previous experiences and employments include working for 15 years as a manager in both the automotive and retail sectors, and another 15 years working on public transport where between 2003 and 2010 I was the Unite branch secretary on Greater Manchester’s tram network.

In 2010 I joined the Workers of England Trade Union and as General Secretary represent our members in all sectors of industry.

The English Democrats campaign for the United Kingdom to leave the European political project, as we have seen recently in Port Talbot the threats to jobs and our industries are not protected by the European political project, it hinders their survival, and only with self determination can our industries survive in a global economy.

If the English Democrats are elected to the Welsh Assembly, we will not only represent the people of Monmouthshire within the Welsh Assembly, tirelessly fighting for your rights, but also lobby for a referendum on the status of Monmouthshire at the earliest possible opportunity,

The English Democrats, including myself, are the only party looking to put the democratic interests of Monmouthshire first.

Tim Price (Ukip Wales)

Although I was born in Middlesex, I grew up in a rural community in West Wales from an early age.

I live in Newport for the second time in my life, and have a real affinity with this part of South Wales.

Both my wife and I are involved in the area where we live, and want to help make Wales better.

I am standing for Ukip Wales as I believe everybody should be given the opportunity to vote for Ukip Wales candidates across the country.

Things need to change in Wales, the stagnation under a continual Labour administration has to be stopped and Ukip is the best party to help do this.

I do not have a political background, and I see that as a good thing.

I am a director and small business owner engaged in high tech software engineering projects and as such I have to develop solutions to problems.

This gives me pragmatic approach which I’m hoping will assist in the Assembly.

I’m not an idealist, although I do value fairness and honesty very highly and believe integrity is important.

Working with various different people all the time is something that I am very used to.

Nick Ramsay (Welsh Conservatives)

I was born and live locally and it's been a privilege to be your Assembly Member for the past nine years.

During that time I've represented many of you, made many friends and had the chance to work with local charities, including St David's Foundation and Raglan Raise the Roof.

It's vital that the Monmouth constituency continues to have a clear, strong voice in a Labour-dominated Assembly.

Labour have been in power in the Welsh Government now for 17 long years.

It's time for a change.

I've led a petition to "Save Monmouthshire" from Welsh Labour's abolition plans which would be disastrous for our local identity and would push up council tax.

I've also opposed plans to abolish Croesyceiliog School's Sixth Form.

I'm campaigning to protect our NHS budget, introduce a cancer treatment fund and tackle waiting times.

We can boost the rural economy by sorting out poor Broadband connections, cutting business rates for small businesses, cutting red tape for farmers and tackling Bovine TB.

I oppose increasing the number of Assembly Members at enormous cost to the taxpayer.

I've also spoken out against next years proposed £10,000 pay-rise for AMs and will donate it to charity if re-elected.

Chris Were (Wales Green Party)

My name's Chris Were and I've enjoyed living in Monmouth for most of my life.

I'm standing as an AM because I want to give voters a choice on their ballot papers, for a candidate who is serious about tackling the environmental and social justice issues we face, as well as representing progressive one-world values.

One key issue which I feel seriously needs addressing are our underfunded public services.

Everything from public transport to healthcare seems remarkably underfunded.

As unfortunate as it is, we live in a world where money is God and the Welsh Assembly government can only carve out a budget handed down from Westminster.

The most effective way to change the status quo is to allow Wales to take control of its own economy.

I'm also strongly opposed to Monmouthshire County Council merging with Newport and other councils.

Democracy is strongest when decisions are made by local representatives.

I further believe that there's benefit in giving smaller councils more decision making powers.

I hope those in agreement would consider voting Green on May 5.