HERE are the election candidates for Blaenau Gwent:

UKIP – Susan Boucher

I have been married to Kevin for 28 years and I have two children, a son now living in America and a daughter in University in London. My husband has been an active member and campaigner for UKIP for a number of years.

I became a member myself this year and enjoyed my first conference in Margam Park South Wales, watching Nigel Farage giving his speech and selling merchandise in the UKIP shop.

I am on the campaign team for the Torfaen constituency and enjoy planning our campaign for the forthcoming election.

I have worked in Local Government for 31 years and I am currently employed as a People Management Advisor in the HR department for Monmouthshire County Council.

Email - susan.boucher@ukiplocal.org

Plaid Cymru – Steffan Lewis

Steffan Lewis was raised in Crosskeys and in Tredegar and now lives in Blackwood with his wife. He is a town councillor in Blackwood, first elected in 2012 and cares passionately about community empowerment.

Steffan works at the National Assembly as a senior research and communications officer. His priorities for Blaenau Gwent are the economy and education.

If elected as the MP for the area Steffan will work with local businesses to boost employment opportunities in the area and secure new investment in local communities. He is determined to work with teachers and parents to improve educational standards so that local young people have the skills they need to secure well-paid, highly skilled work.

Email - steffanlewis@plaid.cymru

Green – Mark Pond

I am delighted to be given this chance to represent my community and to offer them a real alternative to the austerity measures that Labour and the Conservatives are offering, and the fear based policies of UKIP.

We stand for the people of Blaenau Gwent, who I meet everyday while out and about working and living in Blaenau Gwent.

Email - markpond@walesgreenparty.com

Liberal Democrats – Samuel Ellis Rees

Originally from South Wales, Sam studied at Swansea University before spending a year campaigning to keep Scotland part of the UK.

Since returning to Wales, Sam, one of the youngest Liberal Democrats candidates at this year’s election, has been campaigning to improve public services, particularly mental health treatments.

"I am delighted to be standing for the Welsh Liberal Democrats in this election. It will allow me to highlight some of the most important issues facing my own family as well as the people of Blaenau Gwent.

"Some of those closest to me suffer from mental health problems and for too long there has been a stigma within society.

“Liberal Democrats are the only party which is seriously tackling the stigma around mental health and calling for extra funding for treatments and this is a fight I will take forward.”

Email - samuelellisrees@gmail.com

Labour – Nick Smith

I'm a Tredegar boy living in Nantyglo who wants a better future for the borough I call home.

In the past five years I have fought for the victims and their families of neglect and abuse in care homes, taken on the shysters ripping off local consumers and tried to give young people looking for work a start in the jobs market.

I want to fight for more jobs, better jobs and better ways of getting to them. Blaenau Gwent deserves a country where the fat cats have to pay their fair share and a recovery for all, not just the few.

Email - nicksmith4blaenaugwent@googlemail.com

Conservatives – Tracey West

Blaenau Gwent is my home. I was born and raised in Nantyglo, now I live and work in Ebbw Vale.

The community deserve an MP that will listen to them and provide answers. Someone who can understand and empathise with local issues. If you vote for me, that’s the MP I will be.

As an active committee member of Ebbw Vale Conservative Club, I have a proven record of fundraising for local charities.

If you elect me, in my first year as your MP my vision is to, fight for a safer and cleaner community, promote Blaenau Gwent as a great place for businesses to invest and bridge the gap between potential employees and employers.

Email - traceywest@live.com