Meet your candidates: Monmouth

David Davies, Conservative

DAVID Davies was a founder member of the anti-Assembly 'Just Say No' campaign in south-east Wales, where there was an overwhelming vote against the Assembly.

"Members of other political parties are calling for more powers for the Assembly just as we predicted during the referendum.

"But we must remember that only one in four people voted for devolution, so it would be grossly unfair to turn the Assembly into a Parliament by stealth. Wales must remain an integral part of the United Kingdom.

"I believe that no further powers should be given to the Assembly without a further referendum and in that referendum there should also be the question, 'Should we get rid of the Assembly altogether?'"

During the past three years David has consistently opposed unnecessary spending and has passionately looked after the interests of the people of Monmouthshire. "I work hard for them, and above all, I care," he said.

Over the past three years he has held more than 140 surgeries, taken up more than 900 electors' cases and written more than 3,000 letters on their behalf.

His campaigns against quarrying in the Usk Valley and the closure of county schools have been well chronicled in the local Press.

He has also fought against the proposal to build a new £40 million debating chamber for the Assembly at Cardiff Bay and has challenged the recent council tax increases for Monmouthshire, accusing the Assembly of penalising well-run authorities like Monmouthshire county council.

David is the Conservative spokesman for the Environment, Planning and Transport in the Assembly and also, as a former member of the Territorial Army, represents the Assembly on the Reserve Forces and Cadets Association.

After leaving school David spent several years abroad, mainly in Australia and America, where he had a variety of jobs including hotel manager, tobacco picker and road worker, before returning home to Wales to work in the family's haulage business.

A keen surfer and long distance runner - he enjoys 10k runs - he also takes part in quiz nights to raise money for local charities. He is also a Friend of the St David's Foundation.

David is aged 32 and became engaged to his Hungarian girlfriend Aliz in October last year.

*Also standing in South Wales East Region

Sian James, Labour

Originally from the Swansea Valley, I am 43 years of age and until recently I was employed as communications manager at Parc Prison, Bridgend. Married for 27 years to Martin, who runs the family-owned hill farm, we have two grown-up children.

I joined the Labour party as a young mother because I believed then as I do now that it is the only party that can deliver important opportunities for all families, addressing issues such as childcare, good schools and employment.

A Better Monmouth Constituency: I want the Assembly to continue to work for local people and communities. The Labour- led Assembly has given free bus travel for all pensioners and disabled people.

It has provided free prescriptions for under-25-year- olds and provided additional funding for poorer students.

The work has begun and we now need a second term in office to continue the challenge of improving the lives of as many people as possible.

Our record levels of investment in health and education services will produce more doctors, nurses and healthcare workers.

New hospitals are being built to meet the growing demand for improved healthcare. Reduced class sizes for the under-sevens has been achieved and we have committed much-needed money for improving school buildings.

The Future: We will continue to work on your behalf. We are pledged to deliver more benefits and even greater investment.

Our recently launched pledges include the abolition of all prescriptions charges and homecare charges for the elderly, free breakfast for primary- school children, additional funds to fight crime and provision of half-price travel for 16- 18-year-olds. Only a strong partnership between Cardiff and London can guarantee delivery of a better quality of life for all levels of our society.

Our policies have a distinct local flavour, tailored to meet Welsh needs. Rhodri Morgan is a popular leader of the National Assembly and I look forward to working with him to ensure that the Assembly meets the needs of this community.

My Vision for the Constituency: Monmouth is a constituency of great natural beauty and terrific potential.

We need to encourage the growth and prosperity of tourism and the countryside. Key public services are at the heart of all we do and these must continue to grow. I undertake that I will take every opportunity to work in the best interests of Monmouth Constituency.

*Also standing in South Wales East Region

Stephen Thomas, Plaid Cymru

The poet Harri Webb said: "When Wales is free, prosperous and boring, people will wish they were us."

That's what I seek for the people of Monmouth and the rest of Wales - freedom, prosperity and even, ultimately, a little boredom. With Plaid Cymru - The Party of Wales as the party of government at the National Assembly, these goals are more likely to be achieved than with any other party.

We do not seek power for its own sake, but so as to regenerate our communities. We have a coherent, clear vision for the future. Our policies are pragmatic yet ambitious. They concentrate on the economy and public services in Wales. We will work for a fairer deal than Wales has had in the past in funding levels from Westminster and from the European Union.

And our programme for jobs - as detailed in our manifesto - targets local, small-scale enterprises.

Public services need to be properly funded, ending the current obsession with privatisation.

So we would expand the numbers of doctors, nurses and hospital beds, provide free eye and dental checks, and free home help.

In education, we know the importance of schools (particularly primary schools) as the heart of communities and will work to ensure that they remain so. The control of railways, meanwhile, should be at an all-Wales level to ensure protection and further expansion of services.

Alison Willott, Liberal Democrat

Wales has different needs from England. It is right that decisions on its issues should be taken in a Welsh Assembly.

Working with others: Following the ineffective first year of the Assembly, Liberal Democrat participation in the Partnership enabled work to begin properly. Liberal Democrat manifesto ideas - smaller classes, freezing prescription charges, tuition grants etc - largely underpinned the partnership.

I would continue to work with other parties, as the electoral arithmetic allows, to make the Assembly deliver the goods for the Welsh people.

More money: Westmin-ster's allocation of grant under the Barnett formula is unfair. For example, Wales has the largest proportion of long-term sick in the UK and this should increase the grant from Westminster.

I would work to build up better liaison and contacts with the Westminster Parliament and the government.

Decision-making: Too often there have unacceptable delays in making decisions (especially politically difficult ones such as the Assembly building).

I want to see the Assembly streamline its decision-making procedures. It must delegate more, set up timetables for decision-making and show the courage to make difficult decisions.

We desperately need more jobs in Wales, but business start-ups offering many jobs can be scared away if decisions are not made promptly.

Environment and Agriculture: I want Wales to lead the UK in producing top-quality local food (especially organic), with farmers having access to a useful local infrastructure through which they can market their goods. Local abattoirs and markets need support.

Public bodies, such as schools, hospitals, councils and the Assembly itself, should use local food and products wherever possible. Fairtrade needs proactive Assembly support. Transport: Better public transport, including buses, is needed in our rural country, so that those without cars can get to cinemas, hospitals and job opportunities. For the young especially, inability to get work can lead to disaffection, vandalism and crime.

Health: Our poor health record means that extra attention needs to be paid to our health needs, especially measures to reduce bed-blocking (including better remuneration for care in nursing homes to prevent closures), policies to increase GP numbers, and an energetic Healthy Food policy.

Education: As a teacher, I know that Lib Dem proposals for smaller classes are vital for educational success. I also want more music to be made widely available, especially at primary level.

*Also standing in South Wales East Region