I was born and raised in the South West of England, and have a great affection for South Wales.

Like the South West, Wales has suffered at the hands of Westminster politicians over the decades, not least by reason of much unemployment.

The people in this area generally have been treated quite callously, as evidenced by the contemptuous way in which voters in the former English county of Monmouthshire were disregarded thirty five years ago when the Conservative Government, in collaboration with Labour MPs, made that territory part of Wales in a cynical attempt to dilute Welshness.

The truth of this was exposed in 1997, when Monmouthshire residents voted overwhelmingly against the Welsh Assembly, not wanting to be ruled from Wales.

The English Democrats have entered the 2007 elections for the Welsh Assembly, to offer voters the opportunity of voting for candidates who are campaigning for a referendum to be held to determine whether the former county of Monmouthshire should be returned to England, of which it was a part for centuries.

English Democrats provide a distinct alternative to the stale offerings of the old "British" political parties.

We are not seeking to impose anything. As democrats, we are merely promoting the use of a referendum and citizens' participation in a decision making process, something we regard as both democratic and eminently desirable!

English Democrats oppose membership of the EU, which we regard as interfering, inefficient, wasteful and, above all, fundamentally undemocratic.

It is not really surprising that the EU is so undemocratic and unrepresentative, which explains why it was misrepresented to us three decades ago by the same Conservative Government as merely being a trading group - an economic community.

With English Democrats candidates standing in the Welsh Assembly, voters can vote for opponents of the EU who will also campaign for a referendum on the question of continued membership of the EU.

In the meantime, voters can also be assured that English Democrats will cast a critical eye over EU proposals affecting Wales at every opportunity.

I have been married for over thirty years, and had considerable experience of central government, as a civil servant for over thirty five years.

My voluntary public service roles, include a term as a Police Custody Visitor and Membership of a Housing Association Management Board. Already a governor for two schools, I have recently become a parish councillor.