IN THE second in our series of features where our reporters go on the General Election campaign trail with candidates from the four main parties in Wales, JESSICA BEST joins Plaid Cymru’s Fiona Cross in Caldicot.

PLAID Cymru candidate for Newport East Fiona Cross hit the campaign trail in the spring sunshine this week, calling at homes in Caldicot.

The 30-year-old mum of two, who is currently a Torfaen councillor, said she decided to stand for Plaid in the general election because she believes they are the only party who can make a real difference in getting a fairer deal for the people of Wales.

But what do the public think?

Pauline Shute, 62, of Blackbird Road, said she would be voting this year, but her choice at the ballot box would be different from the one she made in 2005.

“I think I’ll give the Lib Dems a go,” she said. “I voted Labour last time but I won’t vote for them in this county now.”

Her husband Raymond, 70, preferred not to say who he would be voting for, but said he too was less than impressed with the Labour government.

“You’ve just got to look at what’s happened in the country over the last 11 years. The economy and the war in Afghanistan - it’s been too much.”

But grandmother Josie Rogers, 68, who also lives on Blackbird Road, said she felt it was important to consider all the parties before making a final decision.

“I’m a floating voter. I keep my mind open right up until polling day.”

And despite her 22-year-old grandson Lance Corporal Sean Howells currently fighting in Afghanistan with the Royal Logistics Corps, Mrs Rogers said this one issue would not sway her vote.

“I can’t say I always agree with the reasons behind the war, but he joined the army and knew what he was signing himself up for. I just have to support him.”

Her husband Richie Rogers agreed, but said he knew where to make his mark on May 6.

Mr Rogers, 69, “I’m going to give Plaid Cymru a go. It will be the first time I’ve voted for them in a general election, but I feel they are the local party and they have done a great job to support us for far."

Mrs Cross, who lives in Cwmbran, also found support on Linnet Road.

Ernest Crabb, 73, said the main thing he wanted from his MP was somebody who cared about local issues, not just the issue of the day in Westminster.

“Plaid Cymru are the first people who have come to my door so I’ll give them that.

Margaret Thatcher said the lady’s not for turning, but I am this year. It’s time for a change.”

* TOMORROW, we go out and about with Conservative candidate for Torfaen, Jonathan Burns.