ASSEMBLY ELECTION: Islwyn profile and candidates

ISLWYN encompasses the towns of Blackwood, Newbridge, Cross Keys and Risca. The area suffered greatly from the closure of the coal mines in the 1980s, and has worked to regenerate itself ever since.

Although the constituency was won by Brian Hancock for Plaid Cymru in 1999, Labour’s Irene James snatched the seat in 2003, holding it for two terms until stepping down in 2011, when party colleague Gwyn Price was elected. In 2014 Mr Price announced he would not seek re-election.

Labour’s Chris Evans is MP for the area, a seat once held by Labour leader Neil Kinnock.

As with the majority of the rest of Gwent – with the exception of Monmouthshire – unemployment is higher than average at 3.9 per cent, in comparison with 2.5 per cent nationally. Pay is also slightly lower than the national average of £530 a week at £480.

Child poverty is also higher than average at 21 per cent, in comparison with 18.2 per cent nationally. But house prices are also £87,000 cheaper than the national average, with properties costing £105,000 on average.

The number of older people in the area is also higher than the national average. People aged 65 and older make up 18.5 per cent of the population in Islwyn, in comparison with the national average of 17 per cent. The most recent statistics show there are 1,445 registered businesses in the area – the second lowest in Gwent.

YOUR CANDIDATES

Each candidate is allowed to give a maximum 200-word statement. Some statements given fell short of the 200 word limit.

Lyn Ackerman (Plaid Cymru)

INSPIRED by my late father Alan Ackerman, who stood for Plaid Cymru in 1971, you become part of a large extended family of Plaid. This led to me standing for Caerphilly CBC and representing Newbridge. It makes me feel proud to be selected to go forward to stand. The late Allan Pritchard also played a big part.

I was born and brought up in Islwyn, educated in Crumlin and Newbridge. I live with my mother, Mair, and two children, Emyr and Rhianydd, in Newbridge.

Raising the number of apprenticeships is so important, family members of mine have got into work via these schemes. work plays such a big part of our lives; let’s get the best start for our young people.

Being passionate about helping people and working within my community, if I was given the chance to represent Islwyn I would bring my grassroots knowledge to improve the services we have control of in Wales.

Plaid Cymru can offer a new way of working for Wales, with strong policies proposals and a costed manifesto for change. We need you to give Plaid the chance to get Wales working better for a stronger, better Wales.

Katy Beddoe (Wales Green Party)

I am a professional youth worker and social and environmental activist, working on campaigns such as the People’s Assembly and CND.

After spending most of my life in Ebbw Vale, I have recently moved to Crosskeys with my son and husband, taking root in local activism.

I’m pleased to standing in the assembly elections and hope to add pressure.

If elected I would #ShakeUpTheSenedd as I’m passionate, empathetic, honest, uncompromising and have an acute knowledge of frontline services and real life issues.

I would ensure to stand for the most disadvantaged in our society, the most vulnerable, paying the price of our economic crisis and from vicious ideological Tory cuts; such as following the Scottish Parliament who protect their tenants from the bedroom tax, instead of overpriced vanity projects like M4 relief road.

I would also use my position to work alongside the people of Islwyn to challenge Caerphilly councils Local Development Plan. Current proposals seek to develop on green spaces when there is brown land spaces available in the area. These plans will be an ecological disaster and will destroy wildlife and woodland that needs to be preserved.

Matthew Kidner (Welsh Liberal Democrats)

I grew up in Newbridge, where I attended school and started my career. I returned to the area, with my family, in 2014 after studying and working in various locations across England. I am a mechanical engineering graduate and currently work as a project manager on large scales energy efficiency projects.

I was drawn to politics after seeing first hand the differences in standards between England and Wales, particularly in health and education. I firmly believe in the Welsh Assembly and its devolved powers but I am disappointed by Labour's lack of ambition for Wales.

If elected I will work with my Welsh Lib Dem colleagues to deal with the issues voters have said are important to them: The NHS, education, and economy.

The Welsh Lib Dems will ensure safe nursing levels in hospital wards, including maternity wards, and in the community. We will deliver smaller class sizes ensuring better support for infants. We will create more jobs in Wales by helping businesses grow and creating an opportunity economy.

I am also keen supporter of renewable energy and would work hard to ensure projects like the Swansea tidal lagoon gets the support it needs.

Rhianon Passmore (Welsh Labour)

I was born in Pantside. Islwyn has shaped who I am.

I grew up in the 1980s and was politicised from an early age with the unfairness I saw of Thatcherite policies being inflicted on our community. Most notable the devastation to the mining industry.

As a former teacher I believe in fairness. Today we see our Welsh steel industry under the same threat from a callous Tory government. It angers me. It is very wrong that Tory welfare cuts are making food banks necessary and disability benefit cuts are driving people to contemplate suicide.

As a long time campaigner and Mum of four, I want a fairer society, more prosperity, more social mobility - this is WHY I am Welsh Labour. I have significant cabinet experience within local government and understand the challenges our community faces.

I have been awarded recognition for my community regeneration work and led various voluntary organisations before being appointed to the National Probation Board and the BBC Broadcasting Council of Wales.

I am passionate about delivering jobs, child care, skills and apprenticeships. I am committed to working hard on your behalf to support the needs of our older people and those with caring responsibilities.

Joe Smyth (Ukip Wales)

I live in Newbridge with my family.

I joined the Royal Engineers at 16 in Chepstow as an Army apprentice. I then went on to serve with 9 Para Sqn RE attached to 3 PARA during the Falklands war. After leaving the Army I served in the probation service and am currently working in the transport and logistics industry.

I made a massive impact at the general election last year coming from a standing start to finish second in Islwyn, UKIP’s top candidate in Wales.

I believe that Wales needs a change and that career politicians have lost touch with common people.

I know that UKIP Wales will make Wales a better place to live with common sense policies.

We will support long-term investment in staff and resources for a better NHS.

UKIP will abolish the Severn bridge tolls within two years, when the current concession expires

UKIP supports building an M4 Relief Road along the ‘Blue route’ promoted by Professor Stuart Cole

Housing, free local authorities from government-imposed minimum housing numbers.

Industry, keep promoting Wales as a place to put your business here.

I have a hard working background backed up by years of common sense and perception.

Paul Williams (Welsh Conservatives)

I have an established track record as an elected public servant: five surgeries a month, regular news letters, a 'fact finding' public meeting approximately every three months and an effective communicator of community views.

I firmly believe people should be aware of their rights, their responsibilities for their actions and the key decisions affecting their lives; together with acknowledging other peoples' equality of rights.

I contend these values are best reflected in Conservative policies.

After 17 years of Labour government Wales is falling behind the rest of the UK.

Corbyn's stance on NATO, our armed forces and nuclear deterrent, threatens not only our nation but places in jeopardy the future of those defence contractors who provide employment and support small businesses across Islwyn.

Labour's local government reorganisation policies are questioned by elected Labour members.

They must be stopped.

Remember the detrimental impact on Islwyn when absorbed into Caerphilly.

Having lost an election by one vote, I appreciate the value of every vote and being first and foremost a believer in democracy – I appeal to every eligible voter to cast their vote.

Before you place your 'X' ask which candidate has demonstrated the qualities required of an elected public servant.