Meet your South Wales East candidates

Laura Anne Jones, Conservative. Also Caerphilly candidate

AS a farmer's daughter and daughter of a former nurse and now lecturer at Cross Keys College, I have seen the consequences of the inefficiency of the Liberal/Labour Coalition that we have had in the Assembly over the last four years.

Coming from a family from all over South East Wales, I would like the chance to reverse the fortunes of those that have been worst hit by the Welsh Assembly government's complete lack of vision. A chance to make life better for the people of Caerphilly and Wales as a whole. Our health service in Wales is in Ruins. Under this Administration over 83,000 have waited more than 6 months for treatment in Wales. I would fight to: *Let the doctors and nurses do their jobs *Reduce bureaucracy *Reduce waiting lists *Invest in residential homes *Make quality heath care readily accessible to everyone. *Give more money and support to Caerphily Miners' Hospital.

Too many of our teachers are leaving the profession due to unacceptable workloads and conditions. Pupils' education is suffering. Wanting to amalgamate schools like Lewis Girls' School and Lewis Boys' School is wrong.

I would fight to: *Give parents and pupils the choice if where to be educated *Reduce the ridiculous amounts of paperwork for teachers and lecturers *Scrap plans for a Welsh Baccalaureate *Refund in full tuition fees for all students

We also need to make the countryside a viable place in which to live and work.

I would fight to: *Protect our rural schools and post offices. *Ensure our farmers are able to compete on equal terms both at home and abroad *Working with our farmers to establish the best ways to achieve this.

If elected to the Assembly I will demand that the Plaid Cymru-led council here in Caerphilly cuts out unnecessary expenditure and make sure it gets a fair share of funds from the Assembly. I would fight for the people of Caerphilly. I will fight for them from reducing the burden of tax and regulation on businesses - therefore stimulating growth and creating prosperity - to tackling crime in the area - to opposing ill-thought-out plans like the proposed council transfer station in Bedwas.

At 24, I have the energy and enthusiasm to represent YOU. I am a good listener and am committed to what I believe I can do for you Please vote for me ?Laura Jones for a fresh start for Caerphilly.

John Prosser, Welsh Conservative Party. Also Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney candidate.

THE Welsh Conservative candidate for the Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney constituency in the Assembly election is John Leonard Prosser. He was raised in Merthyr Tydfil and supports Merthyr Tydfil Football Club. John is a European chartered engineer and manages a factory in Blaina where he interacts with Valley people on a daily basis.

His career has included senior posts in industry, lecturing in university, and he has run his own consultancy business. He was a council member of the IMechE in Westminster for eleven years interacting with the captains of industy. He identifies with the Conservative principles of freedom, enterprise, and responsibility, and endorses the main Welsh Conservative campaign themes of improvement to public services, reduction in waste of public money, and support to Welsh industry.

"The Welsh Assembly Lib/Lab government have failed the people of Wales and the Valleys communities," he says. "After raising taxes and pumping funds into the NHS the result is ever increasing waiting lists and waiting times, and the decline in the patient service levels. Two thousand care homes have been lost since 1999. There are bureaucrats galore!

Welsh Conservatives will use NHS funds to provide private treatment if waiting times exceed six months. We promise 500 more doctors, 4,000 more nurses and 1,300 more therapists by 2007. We will invest in school health services, mental health services, pain clinics, care services, and raise standards of cancer care.

Welsh Conservatives promise Wales guaranteed waiting times for Welsh patients, guaranteed budgets for Welsh schools, limited business rates to promote Welsh jobs, cuts in waste and investment in front line services, a rural charter for Wales, and an Assembly for the whole of Wales.

I am a fighter and I would endeavour to push forward these pledges whoever is in control. Most things I have attempted in life I have committed myself 100 per cent. I know I could help regenerate Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney. I would support existing initiatives where they are beneficial, and I would strive to remove the air of procrastination and press for urgent action and reform in all quarters. Let all those armchair critics who complain about the Assembly get out there and vote for change on May 1," he said.

Neil McAvoy, Labour.

I AM putting my name forward at the Assembly elections because I believe that the Assembly is the political motor that can drive social and economic change in Wales. I am a democratic socialist who passionately believes in the empowerment of people, equality of opportunity for all and the redistribution of wealth.

The Assembly needs to represent the whole of Welsh society; every age, every colour, every creed. In the next term it is essential that devolution does not stop in Cardiff Bay.

As a matter of urgency we need to empower the regions, deal with quangos and re-democratise Wales. I want to see the assembly fighting for law and tax raising powers. In relation to Scotland we should not be treated as second class citizens.

Professionally, I have taught languages in Gwent for the last eight years. The Assembly has made great strides in education, but we need to go further, reforming the schools funding formula and giving back teachers their professionalism, moving away from the target-dominated culture. We also need to invest in junior sport. The investment in health must continue and be stepped up. PFI must be opposed, it is simply not cost effective.

Capital investment needs to come from central government. Similarly, we need to prioritise the building of affordable council housing for the people of Wales. On May 1, Wales has a choice: make the right choice and breathe some fire back into Welsh democracy. The private fiance initiative must be opposed; it is simply not cost effective. Use your second vote to vote Labour in South Wales East.

Huw Lewis, Labour.

SOCIAL justice. These two words sum up the reason I am in politics and the reason I am asking the people of Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney to re-elect me as their Assembly Member on Thursday, May 1.

The Valleys have long been home to a passion for justice in society and an anger at the effect of ill-health, deprivation and unemployment on our people. I believe in the extraordinary potential of the people of our community, and I share that passion for fairness which alone will set free that potential.

I believe we have come a long way with a Labour partnership in Westminster and in the Assembly over the last four years. Unemployment is at a 27 year low, student grants have been restored and the elderly and disabled have free bus transport. Our local health services have received massive investment, with a new multi-million pound extension to Prince Charles Hospital, a new hospital on the way and a modern ambulance station for Merthyr. Objective One and Communities First - the Assembly's anti-poverty program - are starting to bite.

But there is still much to do. There is still poverty. Prosperity has passed too many people by. Educational opportunities are not available to all. Our town and villages need urgent investment. Our levels of ill-health are too great.

Welsh Labour is committed to addressing these problems. If Welsh Labour is re-elected to run the Assembly on May 1 we will, over the next four years, abolish all prescription charges, set up a £100million crime fighting fund, invest over £1billion to improve classrooms, GP surgeries and hospital wards and introduce half-price bus travel for 16 to 18 year olds. And this is just the start.

Much more will be done because in many ways our work has only just begun. That's why your vote for Welsh Labour matters as much now as ever. Don't let someone else with different views make the decision for you. If social justice is your first priority, decide on Welsh Labour.

Huw Lewis, Labour.

SOCIAL justice. These two words sum up the reason I am in politics and the reason I am asking the people of Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney to re-elect me as their Assembly Member on Thursday, May 1.

The Valleys have long been home to a passion for justice in society and an anger at the effect of ill-health, deprivation and unemployment on our people. I believe in the extraordinary potential of the people of our community, and I share that passion for fairness which alone will set free that potential.

I believe we have come a long way with a Labour partnership in Westminster and in the Assembly over the last four years. Unemployment is at a 27 year low, student grants have been restored and the elderly and disabled have free bus transport. Our local health services have received massive investment, with a new multi-million pound extension to Prince Charles Hospital, a new hospital on the way and a modern ambulance station for Merthyr. Objective One and Communities First - the Assembly's anti-poverty program - are starting to bite.

But there is still much to do. There is still poverty. Prosperity has passed too many people by. Educational opportunities are not available to all. Our town and villages need urgent investment. Our levels of ill-health are too great.

Welsh Labour is committed to addressing these problems. If Welsh Labour is re-elected to run the Assembly on May 1 we will, over the next four years, abolish all prescription charges, set up a £100million crime fighting fund, invest over £1billion to improve classrooms, GP surgeries and hospital wards and introduce half-price bus travel for 16 to 18 year olds. And this is just the start.

Much more will be done because in many ways our work has only just begun. That's why your vote for Welsh Labour matters as much now as ever. Don't let someone else with different views make the decision for you. If social justice is your first priority, decide on Welsh Labour.

Jeff Cuthbert, Labour. Also candidate for Caerphilly.

JEFF Cuthbert is chairman of the Caerphilly constituency Labour Party and lives in Hengoed.

He is employed as a senior consultant with the Welsh Joint Education Committee (WJEC) and works with industry to develop industrial qualifications and training programmes.

Mr Cuthbert also works in the evenings as the principal of the Adult Education Centre at Aberbargoed and he is a governor of Lewis School, Pengam.

He is an active trade unionist and has been a member of his union's (AMICUS) Wales Regional Council for about 20 years.

Mr Cuthbert is also active as a campaigner for better health care for diabetics. He is diabetic himself and is a member of the Diabetes UK Campaigners Network. He has a degree in mining engineering and, in his earlier years, worked as a mining surveyor with the NCB at Markham and Oakdale collieries.

He is a member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. He has a daughter and four step-children.

Mr Cuthbert is a firm advocate of Labour's achievements during their first term. He points out that Labour has brought in free bus passes for pensioners, reintroduced student grants, provided free school milk for the under sevens, frozen prescription charges and extended free prescriptions to a wide range of people. He argues that the pledges made by Labour for its next term will build on the very good start that has been made. The removing of prescription charges for all is an excellent example of practical policies that will benefit the people of Wales. Mr Cuthbert does not want to see Labour's policies for change put at risk by the election of another party.

One other major programme that he is particularly keen to support is Labour's programme on education and training.

It is designed to help create the flexible, skilled and motivated workforce that we need to compete in the international market place.

He says that the modern apprenticeship scheme for younger workers and the modern skills diploma for older workers, are first class examples of how Labour is committed to providing a better and more secure future for working people now and for the next generation of workers.

Mr Cuthbert states that he wants to help to create a Wales that provides a secure future for young people.

He adds that if we can continue to attract and retain quality jobs with training then young people will have a much greater sense of self-worth and self-belief. It will help to destroy much of the anti-social behaviour that exists in many parts of the constituency.

He is confident that Labour's policies will lead to a better future for young people. Mr Cuthbert points out that the local Plaid Cymru-controlled council is not popular. He says that many people feel that the council does not consult people properly and does not take account of their views.

He gives as examples the proposal of the council to locate a waste transfer station in Bedwas, despite the reasoned objections of people that live in Bedwas and the neighbouring villages.

Also the council seems determined to press ahead with plans to re-organise secondary school education without allowing a full consultation process that could produce other options.

He says that the council is often regarded as unsympathetic to local concerns and seems to be driven by the recommendations of consultants rather than the views of councillors. Mr Cuthbert points out that independent auditors have judged the local council to be the second worst performing council in Wales.

He says that this cannot give people much hope about what a Plaid Cymru-controlled Assembly would do.

Mr Cuthbert hopes that the Welsh electorate will give Labour an overall majority. He says that although much has been achieved it has been difficult for Labour to have to work with the Liberal Democrats.

It would be so much better, he says, if we could pursue our policies with real vigour and determination.

This means not having to worry about getting the agreement of another party that has its own programme and agenda.

The people of Wales should see a majority government in operation. He adds that only then will people be able to see the real worth of Labour in action.

Rob Roffe, Welsh Liberal Democrat. Also candidate for Caerphilly.

WELSH Liberal Democrats approach the Assembly election with policies based on a clear philosophy.

We start with the individual. Every individual has a wonderful ? and different ? potential. It may be academic, vocational, sporting, artistic or economic. It may just be to love and nurture. Whatever it is, we have a commitment to see it fulfilled.

In Wales, there are too many people who have not yet been able to fulfil their potential. That is a tragedy. For many, there is not even the opportunity to develop and succeed. People facing discrimination ? of whatever kind ? are denied opportunity. That is inexcusable.

For far too many, there is still poverty to overcome a poverty that crushes spirit, demeans status and in itself reduces opportunity. That is just plain unjust.

But what Wales offers, which many parts of England have lost, is strength of community. Wherever you live in Wales, you can find communities which retain a bond and spirit which is beyond value.

Welsh Liberal Democrats offer Wales a clear and exciting vision. To deliver this vision we apply deep-rooted values that have stood the test of time. There are many proposals ? there is much to do if we are to improve the lives of the people of Wales. Our policy priorities, however, are also clear:

We will further extend free personal care so that as few people as possible have to pay for care in old age.

We will further reduce class sizes so that no child has to learn, and no teacher has to teach, in a class of more than 25.

We will extend free entry to sports centres so that young people under 16 can get access to exercise and activity at no charge.

Robert Roffe is 26 years old. He attended Monkwearmouth School and College, Sunderland, before going on to read History at the University of Teesside. He moved to South Wales in 1998 to train as a history teacher at the University of Wales, Swansea and has stayed in South Wales ever since.

Rob is the policy officer of the Welsh Liberal Democrats and has played a central role in drawing up the Welsh Liberal Democrat Manifesto for the National Assembly Elections.

Jocelyn Davies, Plaid Cymru.

I REJECT outright the view that Wales is a country doomed to dependency and second class status.

Instead, I see Wales as a land of huge potential, rich in both natural resources and in people capable of meeting the challenge of building a better future.

Plaid Cymru The Party of Wales recognises that in order to turn that aspiration into reality, we need a radical programme for government, based on our central principles of social justice; environmental sustainability and national development.

In government we would invest in our public services, such as healthcare and education, and defend them from New Labour's plans for creeping privatisation.

On the one hand, we would tackle the poverty that causes ill health, promote healthy lifestyles and increase the capacity of our health service to treat the sick and care for the needy.

On the other hand, we would enhance educational opportunities for people of all ages and from all backgrounds to create a fairer and more prosperous country.

We are equally committed to transforming the prospects of the Welsh economy. Creating a better future for Wales and all its people, will depend on ensuring economic growth in all regions, with a strong emphasis on increasing support to our local businesses.

Many of the problems facing our communities are complex and longstanding and have been largely ignored by central government. We have therefore witnessed the collapse of our manufacturing industries; falling wage levels; increased poverty and social exclusion.

The power to solve these problems should rest on a welsh level where we can develop policies to meet our specific needs. The current powers of the National Assembly are wholly inadequate and without doubt, we now need a proper parliament of our own.

I believe that our vision will find favour with many people who now have a choice between a party prepared to make radical changes for the better or continuing under the rule of New Labour ?a party that turned its back on its principles, its convictions and its traditional supporters. Lindsey Whittle, Plaid Cymru.

The winning team for Wales On May 1, the people of Wales will have a choice. More of the same with Labour, or a radical Plaid Cymru government that will put Wales first and defend our public services. Plaid Cymru rejects New Labour's privatisation agenda.

Blair cannot buy our silence if Wales is losing out. Plaid Cymru is the only party that can beat Labour in Wales.

If I am elected to the National Assembly I will concentrate on two priorities for the Constituency.

We desperately need a new district general hospital. We are all fond of the Miners Hospital, I was born there, my daughter was born there. We need a new modern hospital. The staff deserve improved working conditions, we demand a better health service. Another top priority is the Bargoed by-pass. The town in on its knees. Politicians have promised this facility for years. Prior to every election they promise but never fulfil their promises when elected.

As leader of the council I know that major retailers will come to the town and help regeneration but this will only happen when the by-pass is built.

They are our main policies. The right choice for health *More doctors, more nurses, more beds *No to more administrators and bureaucrats who count the waiting lists but don't treat the patients *Free eye tests for all *Free dental checks for all The right choice for jobs and the economy *A real jobs plan for Wales, to spread prosperity to all parts of Wales *Invest more money in local businesses instead of spending huge amounts of cash attracting companies to Wales who just take the money *Get objective one back on track. The right choice for schools and colleges *Scrap compulsory tests for 11 and 14-year-olds, freeing teachers to teach *No to top up fees for universities *Teach community values at school

The right choice for communities *Seize drug dealers' money to pay for world-class drug rehabilitation services *Proper support for the victims of crime *Strengthen the witness protection programme *No more magistrates' court closures

We have a radical and realistic plan for Wales. If Plaid Cymru is elected to govern in 2003, we will put this programme into action. But we want more for Wales. Backed by the people's mandate, we will demand that Westminster establish a Welsh Parliament by 2007 - a proper Parliament for Wales. The Scottish Parliament has the tools to do the job. Wales deserves no less.

Gill Jones, Plaid Cymru.

Date of birth - 4/2/55 Place of birth - Tredegar Employment - Assistant manager of an advice and drop-in centre for the over-50s in Bargoed.

Hobbies - Reading and swimming. Political interests - Social housing and the environment. Political history - On the South Wales East Plaid Cymru regional list in 1999.

Plaid Cymru councillor for the Bargoed ward on Caerphilly county borough council since 1999. Status - One daughter.

Peter Varley, Green Party.

I HAVE lived in Newport since moving here in 1971, and have lived in Ringland since 1986. I went to school at Bettws, studied for a Masters degree in Energy at Cardiff University, and have recently completed a PhD thesis in computer science.

The Green Party puts the environment first. Respect for the environment and its diversity is essential. As we harm the environment, so we harm ourselves. Within the Green Party,I have concentrated on energy and related policy issues.

In Newport,I have been active on the co-ordinating committee of One World Week and more recently in the Stop the War Coalition, groups which support the Green principles of sustainability, egalitarianism, radical democracy, social justice and non-violence.

The Green Party's aim in the Assembly is to build a self-reliant Wales where local production meets local needs.

Over the next ten years, Green policies would create 50,000 new jobs in peaceful, sustainable industries. We will need wind power, off-shore and on brownfield sites, now and for the foreseeable future, to power these new industries. We will need solar power for powering and heating our homes. I oppose polluting coal and dangerous nuclear power, and I am sceptical about the plans for a tidal barrage.

I want to see Wales become a zero waste nation. Last September I stood in a Newport city council bye-election in the Gaer, where Maesglas Tip stands as a perpetual reminder to everyone that as a society we must waste less and recycle more.

I oppose the proposals for a Severnside airport. Aviation is unsustainable environmentally, socially and economically. Carbon dioxide emissions cause climate change. Air travel would take wealth out of Wales, endangering local industries. Money for airport expansion is badly-spent - it would be better spent on public transport within Wales, and on public services in general. The Green Party supports trade justice: we want a fair price paid to farmers both within Wales and abroad. I have been active in setting up a Trade Justice campaigning group in Newport.

The Green Party in South-East Wales is standing only on the regional ballot, which uses proportional representation. One twelfth of the vote would be enough to ensure a strong, committed Green voice in the National Assembly, so a Green vote is not a wasted vote. Whoever you vote for in your constituency, please make your second vote Green.

Ann Were, Green Party

ANN Were is number two on the Green Party list for the South East Wales area.

I trained as a nurse and was employed as a nurse officer in a residential home for severely disabled adults. Now I am married with three school-age children and am currently studying 'Environmental Studies' with the Open University. I live in Monmouth where I was born and brought up.

I joined the Green Party because I was concerned that environmental issues were not being properly addressed by the other parties. Wales does not have infinite resources so we must adopt more sustainable lifestyles.

I support investment in renewable sources of energy production but I am opposed to large scale wind farms as they only serve the interests of large national and international companies. I would rather see small, community based projects which would benefit the local people they supply.

Wales has a poor record regarding recycling. We are rapidly running out of landfill sites and incinerators are unpopular and polluting. I would like to see doorstep collections of recyclable waste throughout Wales and recycling plants constructed within Wales. This would solve an environmental problem and create jobs at the same time.

It is essential that we invest in public transport to help reduce the number of cars on our roads. Their exhaust fumes are contributing to the 'greenhouse effect' and climate change. With a clean, cheap and efficient public transport system, people would be more inclined to use it. It would also benefit people in rural communities where public transport is virtually non-existent. To do this effectively, public transport must be taken back into public ownership.

I believe that current planning laws need to be changed to favour the development of 'Brownfield' sites over 'Greenfield' sites. Tax incentives should be offered to builders to redevelop previously developed sites. I also believe that all new houses should be constructed with double glazing, cavity wall insulation and solar panels as standard in order to conserve energy.

Hospital waiting lists in Wales are too long and this must be urgently addressed. There is no a quick fix solution to this problem, but steps must be taken to ensure that money is targeted at areas where it is most needed. We must also put a greater emphasis on preventative measures such as education in healthy lifestyles and screening programs. Poor health is closely associated with poor housing and poverty.

We must strive to improve people's living conditions by providing well paid, sustainable jobs. Wales Green Party believes that our policies will deliver benefits for everyone without jeopardising our environment. We have policies that don't cost the Earth.

Owen Clarke, Green Party.

OWEN Clarke is a retired engineering director, whose interests include caving, choral singing and enjoying life. He was educated in a Quaker school, and has been active in the peace movement for many years.

Opposition to the use of war as method of solving disputes between countries is one of the many written policies in the Green Party?s Manifesto for a sustainable society. While the Welsh Assembly does not have any direct control over 'defense' policy, we were told by the government that the correct way to express disagreement with their policies is through the ballot box, and not by demonstrating.

However many welsh people have already expressed their disgust with this illegal war by demonstrating in Wales and in London, and the Welsh Assembly election is a timely way the express this through the ballot box.

War is never an acceptable way to solve disagreements, because in modern war the majority of deaths are innocent civilians, and more deaths of innocents creates more hatred. The purpose of the war was declared to be to help the Iraqi citizens, but although the burden of an oppressive regime has been lifted, we have added to the problems caused by that regime and the sanctions by bombing, invasion, civil war and looting.

One major victim of any war is the environment. Burning oil wells, disruption of water supplies and sewerage and lots of weapons in the hands of irresponsible young men take their toll on both people and the environment. The Peace and Defence section of Green Party policy calls for armed services designed for the defence of the UK, and not for offensive wars overseas.

The costs of the war have already been set, and the considerable risks of counter attack by terrorism have been taken. The only future action available to us is to reduce the risks of terrorist attack in this country by making sure that the stated aim of the coalition to improve the life of the ordinary Iraqi citizen is achieved.

The financial effect of the war and its aftermath will be far greater than the tinkering with financial detail that the major parties are involved in as an attempt to gain votes. To help secure a just and lasting peace vote Green Party in the second regional ballot. For further information on Green Party policies contact me on 01495 773175.

Matt Wootton, Green Party.

THE Green Party can deliver a Green jobs explosion for Wales (in renewable energy, recycling, organic farming, and health and education), a zero-waste Wales by 2020, a Green Public Transport Revolution, and safe, healthy non-GM food that helps supports local farmers and industries.

We will promote public services, and fight privatisation. As a delegate to the Earth Summit in Johannesburg last August, I saw ordinary people being deprived of their rights by big multinational business.

For example, the people of Soweto are fighting the privatisation of their water and electricity supplies by Western multinationals. If privatised, they will have to either pay for their water or go thirsty and die.

The same market forces are threatening the NHS and schools at home, with big business playing an ever-more important and obvious role in the shaping of the political system. Soon, under World Trade Organisation rules negotiated (unaccountably and undemocractically) through the EU, American multinationals will have the right to go into British schools and buy up the "market opportunitites" that our children's education represents to them.

Britain's two MEPs in the European Parliament are fighting this privatisation, as are our three London AMs, our Green lord, and our Scottish MSP.

We hope to be a strong Green voice in the Welsh Assembly fighting for public services, peace and quality of life.

Labour voters especially are voting Green, because they are upset at Labour's attitude towards Private Finance and international relations.

We hope that people will vote for a Green conscience in the Assembly, and whoever they vote for with their first vote, make their second vote Green, for a strong Green voice for Wales.

Pauline Gregory, British National Party.

PAULINE Gregory retired recently from self-employment as a property manager. She lives in Cardiff. Born and bred in South Wales, she is particularly concerned at the way in which all the parties at present represented in the Assembly have very similar positions on many important topics, thereby denying voters any real choice. Pauline is standing to restore the choice which is essential in a healthy democracy.

Ayslum flood. All the other parties support turning our country into a ?multi-racial society?, which is why they all agree with Home Office plans to dump more asylum seekers in South Wales. The British National Party says that, since all these so-called 'refugees' have passed through other safe countries to get to Soft Touch Britain, they have no right to be here.

Where the BNP has won high votes in Northern England, the Home Office has stopped sending asylum seekers there. This is the chance for South Wales voters to make it clear to New Labour that their asylum-dumping programme is not wanted here either.

Assembly bureaucracy. The cost of the Assembly white elephant has been massive. All the other parties have got their snouts in the public money trough, and they all want to centralize more and more power to the Assembly. The BNP is committed to cutting tax-eating bureaucracy, and to stripping as much power as possible from the Assembly, and giving it to local councils which are closer to the electorate and give better value for money.

Globalisation. Globalisation spells low wages, high unemployment, bored youngsters getting into trouble and older workers being forced to retire early. We're being globalised into poverty because New Labour, the Tories, LibDems and even Plaid Cymru are all in favour of letting 'free trade' destroy our industries.

Only the British National Party believes in protecting and rebuilding British industries, particularly manufacturing, steel, coal and farming. We stand for British jobs for British workers, and real jobs in Wales.

While one single AM can?t make or change policy, getting a BNP voice into the Assembly would mean that there is a real, democratic opposition on important issues such as these. That's at least a start. Anyone who wants to find out more about the British National Party for themselves, rather than believing the often hysterical lies of our opponents, should look at our website on HYPERLINK "http://www.bnp.org.uk" www.bnp.org.uk

Keep Wales Welsh 'Cadwch Cymru?'Cymraeg!'

Catherine Lloyd, Independent Wales Party.

CATHERINE Lloyd is a constituency secretary with the party. Since joining the party Catherine's enthusiastic personality has developed into the driving force behind the constituency she serves. Catherine was selected to the first spot by members of the South Wales East regional committee through a field of six other nominations.

Growing up in a mining community in South Wales, and later through my education and employment in Newport, I became acutely aware of the diverse needs of our communities in this region.

I joined Cymru Annibynnol/Independent Wales Party because it was clear to me that the Party was the only party active in Wales to place the true interests of the people first.

All our party workers, which I'm proud to say I'm one, work for the party purely on a voluntary bases our motivation is the vision of a 'democratic' and free country.

At the Assembly we would be in a position to start the much needed change that is long over due in our region. For example, we are alarmed at the continuing pressures brought to bear upon our students in Wales. We will lobby the assembly administration to reintroduce student grants. It is the right of every person to a quality education not a privilege of wealth.