Candidates have battle to stop another Labour win
SWANSEA East has always been represented by Labour in the Senedd.
Previous representatives were Val Feld and Val Lloyd. Mike Hedges became MS in 2011.
In 2016 Mr Hedges took 52.1% of the vote. UKIP’S Clifford Johnson came second with 15.9% of the vote.
Labour’s Carolyn Harris is the Westminster MP for the constituency.
In 2016 the vote was split as follows: ■ Labour: 10,726 ■ Ukip: 3,274 ■ Plaid Cymru: 2,744 ■ Conservative: 1,729 ■ Lib Dem: 1,574 ■ Green: 529
The seven candidates in the May 6 Senedd election in Swansea East are: ■ Rhiannon Barrar - Plaid Cymru ■ Sam Bennett - Liberal Democrats ■ Cameron Brennan Conservatives ■ Cameron Edwards Abolish the Welsh Assembly Party ■ Mike Hedges - Labour ■ Dan Morgan - UKIP Scrap The Assembly/ Senedd ■ Darren Rees - Reform UK.
We invited all the candidates to submit their biographies and answer some set questions. They responded as follows:
SAM BENNETT LIBERAL DEMOCRATS
I work for Swansea University marketing our Medical School to potential students. I live in Swansea and previously studied European politics at Aberystwyth University.
I have been a Liberal Democrat since my student days having worked for Kirsty Williams MS and Roger Williams MP. I am particularly passionate about being able to speak to ordinary members of the public about the challenges they face, listen to them and in doing so help them identify solutions.
I think a good politician doesn’t just prescribe a solution but works with communities to find something that works for them and their lives.
Outside politics I enjoy swimming and we have amazing beaches in and around Swansea to take advantage of, long walks, which we are similarly well provided for, and for my particularly geeky moments I do enjoy a computer game or two.
What is the most important thing you think the Senedd should do in the next five years?
The Welsh Government and Senedd need to have a razor-sharp focus on support for small businesses, they need to foster an attitude of allowing small businesses to thrive, giving them financial support where necessary but also look at the aftermath of Covid and say this has accelerated and highlighted the issues we already face and promote independent businesses as the future catalysts for growth and the attractions which will allow our city to thrive. What will you do for your constituency if elected?
I recently met with small businesses in the service sector. They are struggling and tell me that they need support for longer than the Government is currently offering.
I want to be the champion for housing in Swansea, whether that is pushing the Welsh Government to support flat owners and residents with the horrendous cladding scandal leaving many people out of pocket, support for development of affordable housing which enhances our environment and comes with green space, or champion green investment to make our homes warm and affordable to run.
Homes and housing need to be at the centre of everything we do in the next Senedd and make them the centre of lifting people out of poverty and helping people make ends meet.
RHIANNON BARRAR - PLAID CYMRU
I am a wife and a mother of two daughters. I grew up in Nelson in the Taf Bargoed Valley.
I am now retired after a long career in education which took me across Europe, including Portugal where I founded a school for the workers in the Neves-corvo copper mine.
‘Hiraeth’ brought me back to Wales in 2007 where I settled with my family in Swansea and worked for the local authority and became deputy manager of the first Welsh-medium Flying Start provision in Swansea.
I am active in local politics and a member of my local community council.
I’m also the founding member and present chair of Friends of Singleton Park. I enjoy singing and walking – with my husband. My aim is to walk
the whole of the Welsh Coastal Path.
What is the most important thing you think the Senedd should do in the next five years?
Fair distribution of health and wellbeing at the heart of all government policy.
This is what a Plaid Cymru government will do: create wealth to pay for public services, share prosperity, address injustice and tackle climate change.
With the powers we already have, we can implement the buy local scheme which has transformed areas like Preston.
The dysfunctional Conservative Westminster government is actively seeking to take these powers away from us. Our success is based on fighting to keep these powers and to demand more. By returning a Plaid Cymru government, we can prepare the way for a referendum on self-determination. If we achieve this, we can do so much more to improve the lot of all those who make Wales their home.
What will you do for your constituency if elected?
I will bring a new dynamism to the role of representing the people of Swansea East. This area, once the crucible of industry, innovation and culture, can be again. A regeneration champion is needed, to co-ordinate a wide-ranging public consultation on the way forward for Swansea East.
This public consultation must include children and young people. My career has always been about helping young people to achieve their potential. Young people and young voices are vital to our political and economic future. The wealth created will be reinvested in Wales for the benefit of the people of Wales.
MIKE HEDGES LABOUR I am 64 and live in Swansea East where I was born and attended school.
I am married with a daughter who has a degree in Welsh. I studied at Swansea and Cardiff universities and prior to becoming the Senedd Member I was a researcher at British Steel and a lecturer in computing.
I am a former councillor and leader of Swansea Council. I used to be a football referee and club secretary, now I regularly watch local sport and I am a Swans and Ospreys fan. I enjoy Welsh choral music.
What is the most important thing you think the Senedd should do in the next five years?
The main priority has to be securing high-quality jobs by working with the universities and others whilst taking full advantage of the opportunities that remote working brings. Key issues for me are protecting and improving our environment, improving health and housing.
What will you do for your constituency if elected?
I will continue to live here and hold surgeries, visit schools, organisations and charities across Swansea East.
I will continue to have an office in the constituency and work with the MP, local councillors and community activists to do everything I can for our area. I will continue to passionately support our area and improving public services and the economy.
■ Candidates who haven’t already done so are welcome to submit their biographies and answers to ruth. mosalski@walesonline.co.uk