All participants have been asked to produce a policy statement in order to help the constituents of Islwyn make up their minds on who to vote for in the forthcoming election.

Words are cheap. Looking back at the previous election promises it is no wonder ordinary people have such distrust for politicians and their party’s.

During the forecasted tough times ahead the needs of the local communities are sure to be better served by a representative who lives in the area, not from career politicians and arm chair pundits looking in from Bridgend, Cardiff and London like the party candidates contesting this election. Dave Rees Lives in Islwyn, works in Islwyn, has family in Islwyn and will die in Islwyn.

Under New Labour, people of Islwyn have had to endure post office closures. Investment in Illegal wars has contributed to widespread economic decay.

Unemployment in Islwin is running at unprecedented levels of 12.5% - One of the highest levels not just across Wales but the whole of the UK. The expenses scandal has exhausted any last shred of credibility in the mainstream political party’s.

The fat cat bankers are still drawing down huge bonuses from the public purse whilst the hard working people of Islwyn will have to endure tax rises and cuts in services to pay for their mistakes.

Where did Plaid Cymru and the Labour party outline their intentions to close care homes across Wales. Was this a mandate from the people or the political party’s, you decide? They wouldn’t have received a vote if they had been honest with their motives.

Meeting people on the doorsteps has clearly shown that they are desperate for change and will no longer be taken for granted. Despite their loyalty to Labour for over 100 years Islwyn remains one of the poorest areas of the UK.

If Islwyn were a marginal seat then our streets would be paved with gold. Deplorably the Labour Party’s safe seat syndrome has shown a complacency and lack of real commitment to deal with the real issues of the area.

To return the people’s faith in democracy, Dave Rees will give the people a real voice by running online polls and canvass the constituency so the people can guide him how to vote on important issues in Parliament.

This election is about change and you can’t bring about change with Gordon Brown and New Labour being part of the equation. Only Dave Rees can bring about real change for the people of Islwyn.