I’VE lived in Newport all my life, I love this area and want to stay living and working here, but the last 12 years of Labour in the Welsh Assembly have made this difficult for me.

The Labour government has left Wales in such a mess that it’s difficult to get a foot on the housing ladder, our children don’t get the education they deserve and we don’t get the health service we need, when we need it.

I have decided to stand for election, because I think the people of Newport deserve better.

Labour and Plaid have left us with a weak economy.

In Government, I will support innovative companies to compete on a global stage through a jobs and growth innovation programme.

I will fight to remove the red tape that chokes small companies and extend business rate relief.

We will also offer £2,000 training grants to new businesses taking on the young unemployed because I believe that Newport CAN do better.

Education is the key to our country’s future but we’ve seen standards fall.

Teachers, parents and children have been let down by the Labour government through under funding and a lack of guidance.

In Government, I will help ensure the closing of the £770 funding gap between Newport and England – our pupil premium would mean an extra £2.8 million per year for pupils in Newport West.

As anAMI will ensure the NHS is there for you, for free, when you need it.

The Labour-Plaid government is wasting money through ineffective spending on too many managers. Iwant to see this money spent on the frontline services that directly affect you.

Having worked in social care and housing, I know that prevention is better than cure.

I will ensure that our social care system provides support for the vulnerable in society, as and when they need it, in a personalised and dignified way.

I will support people to access ‘personal budgets’, so that people can be in control of their own care.

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have a vision of a Newport where the economy is flourishing, our workforce is skilled, and our schools and our health service are the best in the UK.

If like me, you believe Newport CAN do better, then vote for Liz Newton in Newport West AND the Welsh Liberal Democrats in SouthWales East on May 5.