ASSEMBLY ELECTION: Newport East profile and candidates

The boundary of the constituency stretches along the coast and north up the Usk to the M4, following the road east to Caldicot. It encompasses about half the city itself, including the communities of St Julians, Beechwood, Somerton and Alway as well as the Parc Seymour, Llandevaud, Penhow and Llanmartin areas north of the M4.

Among landmarks falling within it are Rodney Parade, the Llanwern Steelworks, the International Sports Village in Lliswerry and a significant amount of new housing development on the riverbank.

A Labour stronghold, John Griffiths has represented the area since the Assembly was founded in 2011. Although his share of the vote dropped by 4.8 per cent in 2003 and 12.5 per cent in 2007, taking him within five per cent of losing his seat, Mr Griffiths staged a significant comeback in 2011, winning 50.8 per cent of the votes. He is running again in May.

Jessica Morden, also Labour, represents the area in Parliament.

If the long-awaited M4 relief road goes ahead it will cut through the south of the constituency, potentially causing years of disruption to residents and businesses in the area.

As with the majority of the rest of Gwent – with the exception of Monmouthshire – unemployment is higher than the national average – currently 2.5 per cent – at 3.9 per cent. Average pay is also £30 lower than the national average at £500 a week. But the average house price is also £50,000 cheaper than average at £142,250. This is also almost £8,000 cheaper than in Newport West.

Child poverty in the constituency is higher than average at 24.1 per cent, in comparison with the national average of 18.2 per cent. Newport East is also one of only two areas in Gwent – the other being Caerphilly – where the number of older people is lower than the national average. The proportion of people aged 65 and older in the area is 16.3 per cent, in comparison with the national average of 17 per cent. This is significantly lower than in Newport West, where the figure is 17.6 per cent.

There are also about 1,605 registered businesses in the area – about 400 fewer than in Newport West, although this can at least partially be accounted for by the majority of the city centre falling into the latter ward.

YOUR CANDIDATES

John Griffiths (Welsh Labour)

Growing up in Pill, I became well aware of the wide gaps in income and wealth between rich and poor.

It was my belief that there is a better way that’s fairer for all that led me to join the Labour Party, with its historic mission for equality of opportunity and outcome.

Someone’s background should not be a barrier to a good life.

It’s why we need good training and jobs, a strong public NHS, and great schools for all.

Our pledges to create 100,000 apprenticeships, create a new life-threatening illness fund, and £100 million to further improve school standards are positive and ambitious – they are tackling the problems of inequality.

I’m proud to have served Newport East as a Labour Assembly Member and Minister in the Welsh Government; of being part of bringing power closer to our people to build a new Wales in line with our nation's values of social justice.

I’m seeking re-election to continue serving Newport East, to champion our communities, and build on Labour's achievements in Wales.

I want to continue to tackle the problems inequality causes by carrying out Welsh Labour’s ambitious and positive pledges, and make our society stronger and fairer for all.

Paul Halliday (Welsh Liberal Democrats)

For the past 11 years I've lived in this community and it is my home.

In less than a week you have the opportunity to decide who should be your voice in the Welsh Assembly.

I want nothing more than to be the strong and passionate voice that Newport East and Severnside deserves.

I've shown that I don't shy away for standing up for what is right.

From the successful campaign to stop Labours inhumane criminalisation of rough sleepers in Newport city centre, to the fight to save the Caerleon campus of the University of South Wales.

I will always be there to fight your corner and to stand up for your rights.

It’s about much more than just fighting for you though.

It is about making sure we get the basics right in Wales.

We have a plan for smaller class sizes in our schools so that teachers have the time to teach.

We want more nurses on our hospital wards and in our communities. We want a Wales that works for you.

On May 5 use your voice to give Newport East the strong and passionate voice it deserves.

Vote for me, vote for the Welsh Liberal Democrats.

Munawar Mughal (Welsh Conservatives)

My name is Munawar Mughal.

I am a Newport East’s Welsh Conservative candidate for the Assembly elections.

If elected I will work tirelessly to serve my community, solve their issues and promote the welfare of residents.

I live by the life maxim of giving back to the community which has nurtured me and my family for so many years, and come May 5 I hope to be given the opportunity to do this.

I am a regional president for a charity which represents South Wales.

Other charitable activities include the organisation of community meetings, events, sponsored walks, peace conference dinners, exhibitions and fundraising events with the aim of promoting peace, understanding and community cohesion.

These events are often well attended by MPs, MEPs, AMs, Mayors and diplomats.

I have a degree in journalism and political science, and an enduring interest in current affairs.

Thirty years of experience working in the banking sector and aviation industry has given me a strong understanding of the economy and manufacturing, which is has proved invaluable in my charitable undertakings.

James Peterson (Ukip Wales)

Like many I have had enough of being governed by the “run of the mill politicians” who are out of touch with the majority of their electorate.

I on the other hand have spent all my life living in the Somerton and Lliswerry area.

I believe that I better identify with the traditional working class of voters of today.

As I have lived on council estates, claimed tax credits and worked alongside the hard-working people of Newport East.

I started my working life at Llanwern Steel Works on the shovel in my late teens.

I moved into the care sector in the late 90’s as a home carer.

Which lead to a position in education as a support worker for pupils with learning disabilities.

In 2004 I returned to education and qualified as a mental health nurse in 2007.

I have worked in both private and NHS hospitals in the Newport area.

The time I served in the health service inspired me to get involved in politics.

I believe I can bring some much-needed, working knowledge from the front line of our mental health services to improve the lives of others.

Tony Salkeld (Plaid Cymru)

Tony who is 49, was brought up and still resides in Newport.

He was educated at Cardiff University.

He has served both in the Armed Forces and as a Police Constable in Belfast and has worked for the Kings Fund in London and in the Civil Service.

He is currently employed as an office manager.

Tony is campaigning on: Cutting waiting times in the NHS, as from personal experience, waiting times in the Royal Gwent are a strain on all concerned. Plaid’s commitment to 1,000 more doctors and 5,000 nurses for Wales would help in securing this commitment.

Stopping the proposed £1bn M4 relief road and instead supporting the much cheaper blue route alternative. The currently proposed route is too expensive and will lead to a possible loss of business for Newport as traffic by passes the city.

Securing the Newport to Valleys Railway line as this will help provide better links and also help local business.

Cutting business rates and giving more public contracts to Welsh firms.

Stopping the bedroom tax, this is an unfair tax which does not take into account the lack of adequate social housing for those, often the most vulnerable, who are affected by it.

Ensuring that Wales gets the same deal on funding and powers as Scotland, ensuring that Wales and Newport gets a fairer and better funding package.

Wales having better control over its own natural resources, leading to more local energy generation, such as a tidal lagoon and barrage at Newport in the Severn Estuary area, once a rigorous environmental impact assessment that can demonstrate limited or no adverse environmental impact has been carried out by the Welsh Government.

Peter Varley (Wales Green Party)

I was born in 1957 in Salisbury, and went to school in Newport when my family moved here in 1971.

I worked as a software engineer for several years, then returned to university as a mature student at Cardiff University, gaining a Masters degree in Energy and a PhD in Computer Science.

After working abroad for seven years in Japan and Spain, I am now back in Newport.

I am standing in this election because I want people in Newport to vote for a fair and sustainable society.

I want to see Newport as the powerhouse of Wales.

I support the plans for tidal lagoons either side of the mouth of the Usk - between them, these two lagoons would provide half of Wales's electricity.

They would also provide sustainable work for the local enterprises and local people.

It's clean energy, and it's local energy, and the technology is ready.

What is needed is the political will.

I oppose hydraulic fracturing ("fracking") - it's dirty, dangerous, and it won't even work.

I oppose the M4 Relief Road.

It's unnecessary. We have a good local bus service and potentially an excellent rail network around Newport, and we should make more of them.