I WOULD like you to vote Plaid twice this Welsh election. Before I tell you why, perhaps I should explain a little bit about myself.

I was born in Abergavenny in 1978 and grew up in Monmouthshire and Pembrokeshire.

I was educated in Monmouth Comprehensive but left Wales after my A levels to go to university and pursue a career.

I returned to Wales to, hopefully, start a family.

We settled in Newport and live in St Julians.

I joined Plaid for many reasons. At a UK level I was angry with Labour’s hypocrisy in government on issues as diverse as Iraq , ID cards, and tuition fees.

I was however proud of Wales and the achievements of our assembly.

Even now I am proud of our culture but saddened by our past, and frustrated by our present.

It seems that Newport has not yet met its potential.

Labour and Tories alike in Westminster are much more interested in voters in Middle England who swing elections, rather than any voter in Wales. If we are to see here in Wales the necessary investment, innovation, and commitment, in our communities then we need a party that is democratically answerable solely to the people who live in Wales.

This is Plaid Cymru.

Before I looked into their polices I’d been a bit suspicious of Plaid.

They were depicted in the media as a party only interested in Welsh language.

When I looked at their policies I was surprised.

Now I know we are the party for all those who live in Wales, whatever language we speak.

As a party we look for practical ways to embrace and implement common sense policies based on socialist values, civil liberties, and environmentalism.

If elected Plaid to start will bring in investment to create 50,000 jobs and 30,000 apprenticeships- many of these in the green economy.

We will improve school standards and cover tuition fees for students who live in Wales.

We’ll make sure you can see doctors and dentists when you need them.

Unlike both Labour and the LibDems, answerable to Westminster, our record in Welsh government proves that we do not say one thing in opposition and do another in office.

We are the Party of Wales. We don’t take donations from big business.

If you, like us, believe in a better Wales - vote Plaid twice in the Wales election.