I have always lived in Newport and come from a family with strong socialist roots. I first became seriously politically active during the 1984/85 miners' strike - a time which changed many people's lives.

Since that time I have become increasingly active in defending the rights of ethnic minorities, Travellers and Gypsies.

I am standing as a candidate for the Socialist Labour Party because it is the only party which completely reflects my beliefs.

The SLP recognises the poison of racism runs through our society. There is therefore a racial dimension to our policies on all matters where Black and Asian people suffer disproportionately - including education, housing, employment immigration, and "law and order".

It is no accident that the racist upsurge, including hostility against asylum-seekers that we have seen across Europe in recent years coincides with huge attacks on organised labour as we try to comply with regulations of the European Union.

In Britain immigrants are increasingly scapegoated by Government and main opposition parties alike, at the same time as attacks on trade unionists and the unemployed intensify.

Racially motivated attacks, murders, racist policing in ethnic minority areas are made worse by media hysteria and ever more desperate pronouncements of Government.

This creates fear amongst ethnic minority and refugee communities. This has nourished the far Right, and we find ourselves facing a social crisis in which racial hatred is so legitimised that violence and murder have become commonplace.

It's not surprising that ethnic minority communities feel alienated and isolated. For those who seek to settle here having fled from persecution and war abroad, the alienation is even more intense.

The discriminatory immigration procedures of this Government create social problems rather than solving them.

The SLP condemns the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and we deplore the continuation of the illegal occupation of these countries.

The situation in Iraq is getting worse by the day and now there are many rumours of an imminent attack on Iran.

Our party condemns these actions and is calling for the immediate withdrawal of troops from Iraq.

The billions of pounds being spent by the military could be used to develop the National Health Service, the education system and to provide decent affordable housing.

The Socialist Labour Party stands for the principles of the Labour Party of Aneurin Bevan.

Don't waste your second vote - use it to make a change.