At no other point in recent history has confidence and faith in our democracy been at such a low ebb. People are rightly angered by the MPs’ expenses scandal and by recent undercover investigations into lobbying practices in Westminster.

Somehow, sometime, politics stopped being about people.

The coming election in Islwyn is our opportunity to start afresh, to bring politics back to the people and reject the cosy consensus of the London parties.

Those parties are currently embroiled in a phoney war and are attempting to turn this election into some kind of presidential contest. But this election is about the person we elect to represent us and fight for us in the House of Commons. It is about that person’s values and character. That counts for far more than the fashion tastes of party leaders’ wives.

I am guided by good old-fashioned Valleys values: respect, responsibility, compassion and community spirit.

It is these values that guided the great local MPs of the past, but these values, it seems to me, are lost on the current crop of poodles who occupy the House of Commons. If I have the honour of being your next Member of Parliament, I am committed to speaking my mind, speaking the truth and putting our area first. I have no interest in climbing Westminster’s sleazy, greasy pole.

What I care about is the annual struggle many of our vulnerable pensioners endure when faced with a choice of heating their homes or eating a meal. 130 excess winter deaths occurred in Islwyn alone between 2005 and 2008 - all this whilst bankers enjoy bonus bonanzas. Alcohol-related crime is another issue that continues to blight many communities and that is why I will seek new legislation to ban boozing on our streets and raise the purchase age at off-licences.

Think about it. Who will fight for our area? Yet another Labour MP who’ll toe the London line and climb the Westminster career ladder or a locally-driven, independent-minded Plaid MP who’ll be our full-time champion?

I love our community. My home is here in Islwyn; it is where I was raised and there’s nowhere else I’d rather live.

Like you, I’m angered by the way we have again been taken for granted by those who care little for our area. On May 6th we can make sure that we are never taken for granted again.