The primary reason for my standing as a candidate in the Welsh Assembly elections in Monmouthshire as an English Democrat is to raise awareness of the undemocratic decision to move Monmouthshire from England to Wales during the Local Government reorganisation of the 1970's.

The people of Monmouthshire were never consulted about this decision and should be given the democratic right to decide through a referendum. We are not saying Monmouthshire should be returned to England, despite the centuries of it being an English County prior to 1974, but we are saying the people of Monmouthshire should be given the choice.

The English Democrats are a Party that truly believes in devolution and democracy. We believe that power should be as close to the people as possible and that decisions made by those in power should reflect the views of the electorate they represent.

This seldom seems to be the case in our current political system. We also fully support the Welsh Assembly and applaud the success it has enjoyed in rebuilding the Welsh national identity and economy.

If elected to the Welsh Assembly I would relocate to Monmouthshire so that I could serve the electorate as a full time member of the Assembly.

To live in such a beautiful area and to serve the people there would be a priviledge. I would also strive to achieve a referendum for the people of Monmouthshire on the question of their national identity.