THE FIGHT FOR CARDIFF NORTH
The constituency of Cardiff North was regained by Labour from the Tories in 2017, but sitting MP Anna McMorrin faces a tough battle to hold on to the seat in Thursday’s vote. Political editor Ruth Mosalski reports
CARDIFF North is a marginal seat and is usually a fight between Labour and the Conservatives.
In 2017 Labour’s Anna McMorrin took the seat from Conservative Craig Williams, who had only taken the seat in 2015.
Before Mr Williams, fellow Conservative Jonathan Evans held the seat. In the 2010 General Election his majority over Labour’s Julie Morgan (who is now the Assembly Member for the constituency) was 194.
The constituency voted Remain by 64% in the EU referendum in 2016, according to estimates from the Commons Library.
The area is often a pitstop for visiting leaders on their election trail. Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn have both visited in the build-up to recent elections.
All candidates have been offered a chance to submit a biography and answer questions.
■ Mo Ali – Conservatives
“I’m 35, I grew up in Cardiff after my family fled Somalia during the civil war and I have one daughter. I work for M&C Saatchi as an account director in its World Services Division.”
Asked about his inspiration
entering politics, he said: “I was written off as a child and told I wouldn’t amount to anything. Thankfully, I came from a close-knit family and my mother always pushed me to be the best version of myself. This drives me even today.
“Also, coming to Britain as a refugee has given me an innate pride and desire to give back to the country that gave me and my family a second chance.
“Why I’m entering now and not waiting a little longer, that is almost entirely due to Jeremy Corbyn.
“As someone that has had to work hard to get where I am, I found his comments suggesting that only the Labour Party could be trusted to unlock the talent of the black community very offensive – I think his comments triggered me.
“I didn’t succeed because of him or the Labour Party. I succeed because of my own hard work.
“His belief that talent can be unlocked by a political party makes a mockery of all the hardworking, talented people I grew up with.
“No party, especially not one being investigated for systemic racism, can claim ownership over any race.”
■ Question: If you’re elected and Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal is back in the Commons, how would you vote?
“I voted to Remain in 2016 but I for believe in democracy and respect the outcome of that referendum. Boris Johnson has secured a great deal for our country, giving us control over our borders, trade and laws, but allowing us to leave the EU without disruption and in a friendly way.”
■ What is the biggest issue you think Wales is facing and what will you do about it?
“For the past decade, I have worked with the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) and their partners as an independent advisor on counter-terrorism and community engagement.
“My advice and insight on community engagement have proven vital in helping the MPS and other agencies to develop plans and strategies in response to a number of critical incidents including the murder of Lee Rigby, Charlie Hebdo, the 2017 terror attacks on London and the Manchester Arena bombing.
“I understand issues such as violent or sexual offences and knife crime really impact on our communities and I am committed to working with South Wales Police in tackling these issues head-on and really making a difference.
“The Government’s announcement of 20,000 more police officers will enable South Wales Police to invest more in the really important proactive and prevention work used to put the criminals on the back foot. I will continue to press the need for South Wales Police to receive the share of new officers it requires.”
■ Michael Cope – Green Party
“My name is Michael Cope, I’m 29 and I live with family in Llanishen in Cardiff North. I grew up in Llanishen and moved back here after finishing university, where I gained an MA in Medical History.
“I am a Quaker and attend meetings regularly in Cardiff. I have previously stood in local elections in Llanishen and look forward to representing the
Green Party in the General Election.”
He says he entered politics via the Green Party because “I was impressed with how they were (and still are) the only party to recognise the threat climate change poses to our planet and the only party with a comprehensive plan to deal with it.”
■ If you’re elected and Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal is back in the Commons, how would you vote?
“I would vote against Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal and against any Brexit deal put before the Commons.
“I voted Remain in the referendum and strongly believe that the best deal we have with the EU is the one we have now – as a member.
“The EU has its problems, but we can only solve these problems by having a place at the negotiating table and working hard to transform European politics for the better.
“If his deal is passed, the environmental protections, employment protections, food standards and other benefits which stem from EU membership would be put at risk as Johnson looks for quick-fix trade deals which will go nowhere near far enough to solve the economic problems Brexit will bring.
“As a Green MP, I would support a
People’s Vote to give the British people the final say and I would campaign for Remain during it.”
What is the biggest issue you think Wales is facing and what will you do about it?
“The biggest problem facing Wales is the same one facing the entire world – climate change.
“With the effects of climate change already beginning to be felt, it is important that politicians across parties recognise the need for a complete transformation of our political system and economy. Currently, only the Green Party does.
“As a Green MP, I will push for the implementation of a Green New Deal, a radical programme of investment in green technologies and infrastructure, affordable public transport, investment in environmentally sound, warm housing and urgent action to tackle climate change.”
■ Richard Jones – Independent
“I am 49 and married with one child, who has autism.”
The family live in Lisvane and Richard works as a sales manager.
He says he entered politics: “To make a difference, to change people’s lives and help people that are less for
tunate. I want to be the voice of the community.
“I work 10 hours a day plus family commitments and help charities through Freemasonry.
“It’s not about getting people to vote for me, it’s about making a difference in the community.
“Independent candidates are the way forward.”
■ If you’re elected and Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal is back in the Commons, how would you vote?
“I would stand by the people’s referendum which was to remain and would vote against his deal.”
■ What is the biggest issue you think Wales is facing and what will you do about it?
“I am running as an Independent, representing the unheard voices of the Cardiff North community and am supporting all forms of mental health, anxiety, bipolar, BDD, BPD, depression, drugs and alcohol, eating problems, loneliness, OCD, PTSD, schizophrenia, self-harm, stress, suicidal feelings to name a few.
“I am a realist, I know it would be a massive shock, biggest in Wales’ election history, for an Independent to win over the big-spending mainstream parties, but if we are going to change things, we need new ideas and a fresh approach.”
■ Anna McMorrin – Labour
“I’m proud to have been the Welsh Labour Member of Parliament since the 2017 snap General Election when I won back the seat from the Tories.
“A Cardiff University graduate, I’ve lived in Cardiff North for over 20 years where I brought my family up and now live locally with my partner, two teenage girls, cocker spaniel Cadi and my two cats.
“Before becoming an MP, I ran a small business bringing green investment and jobs to Wales, worked with the UN in the run-up to the Paris Climate agreement and was a special adviser in the Welsh Government, helping deliver the groundbreaking Future Generations Act and anti-poverty programmes across Wales. I speak French and Spanish and am a keen Welsh learner.”
She said she joined Labour “because of the damage I saw Thatcherism doing to our communities”.
■ If you’re elected and Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal is back in the Commons, how would you vote?
“I would vote against the damaging deal again if it is brought back to the Commons, unless it could be put back to the people in a confirmatory referendum with the option to Remain.
“I am committed to representing the views of Cardiff North, the overwhelming majority of which voted to Remain in 2016.
“I am a proud European and have campaigned and voted against a Tory hard Brexit and extreme no deal, which would be catastrophic for jobs and livelihoods in Cardiff North.
“I have been unequivocal that this is the most democratic way forward, to enable both sides of the debate to have their say in full view of the facts and I will campaign for Remain.”
■ What is the biggest issue you think Wales is facing and what will you do about it?
“The climate emergency is the biggest issue facing us and we must see urgent action at every level of government.
“The most frustrating thing about Brexit is that it has paralysed our politics and does nothing to address this or the very real issues we face here in Wales, after 10 years of Tory austerity.
“As Cardiff North’s MP, I have fought for increased action against climate change as well as for increased pay in our hospitals, public services and police force against the threat of damaging Tory cuts.
“Fair funding must be brought to our Welsh Labour Government from Westminster to ensure proper investment in our public services and to give the hardworking public sector staff a well-deserved pay rise.”
■ Rhys Taylor – Lib Dem
“I grew up in Pontypridd before going to Bangor University and then moved to Cardiff which I have now made my home.
“I have worked in the charity sector since 2013, fighting to get the best deal for students, patients living with lung disease and communities.
“I now work in the homelessness sector in Wales, making the case for the changes we need to see to end homelessness for good.
“I am also a councillor in the Gabalfa area of Cardiff, elected in May 2017.
“I originally got involved with politics at 16 to save my secondary school in Pontypridd.
“I never saw myself standing for Parliament – but, like most people, I’m fed up with our politics.
“I don’t believe that this is as good as it can get.
“I got involved with politics to fight for social justice, for fairness and a better future for everyone.”
■ If you’re elected and Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal is back in the Commons, how would you vote?
“Every single vote for a Liberal Democrat is a vote to stop Brexit.
“Whether it’s Boris Johnson’s deal or Jeremy Corbyn’s deal, Brexit will be bad for Wales and the UK.
“We know that leaving the EU will be bad for jobs, our environment, our businesses and our NHS.
“More than that, we can better tackle the challenges of climate change, economic uncertainty, crime and security if we work with our closest neighbours and we can achieve more for freedom and dignity for people across the world by working together.”
■ What is the biggest issue you think Wales is facing and what will you do about it?
“Without a doubt, the single biggest issue facing us is the climate emergency.
“We have 10 years in which to prevent irreversible climate breakdown.
“That means higher sea levels, species loss, adverse weather, toxic air and far more.
“If we don’t take serious action to reduce emissions and global warming, nothing else really matters.”
■ Steffan Webb - Plaid Cymru
“Cardiff-born, I have lived in south, east and north Cardiff. I am an ex charity CEO, a teacher, a community activist, a part-time translator and training officer.
“Having learned Welsh myself as an adult, I am helping adults to learn Welsh in the community.
“I am a single 59-year-old father with four grandchildren, who does what he can to support Extinction Rebellion, Cymdeithas yr Iaith and other groups.”
He entered politics because of a “desire to provide political choice, to aleviate poverty, inequality and poor health in a Welsh context. An independent Wales could be so different and we need to look at this properly as part of a local solution to the climate crisis”.
■ If you’re elected and Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal is back in the Commons, how would you vote?
“Not support.”
■ What is the biggest issue you think Wales is facing and what will you do about it?
“The climate crisis is our biggest challenge and, if elected, I will be pushing for a bill of action on the climate crisis as soon as possible.”
WHILE large parts of Wales have traditionally been Labour strongholds, the turbulent nature of our politics could see some seats change hands for the first time in generations.
Meanwhile, other results will be dictated by fierce battle lines drawn over Brexit.
There are 40 constituencies in Wales and among them are six which will definitely have a new MP, as the previous MPs are not seeking re-election.
Polling stations open at 7am on Thursday and close at 10pm. Here are the key South Wales seats to watch out for as the results unfold.
■ Cardiff North
Historically this is a must-watch seat, and this year looks no different.
Cardiff North is a marginal between the Conservatives and Labour. The most recent MP has been Labour’s Anna McMorrin, who took it from Conservative Craig Williams in 2017, who himself had only been elected in 2015.
As a side note, Mr Williams is bidding to re-enter Parliament this election, and is the candidate in Montgomeryshire.
In 2017, Ms McMorrin took 50.1% of the vote and the Conservatives 42.1%.
This time her main challenger is Mo Ali, who fled the civil war in Somalia and moved to Cardiff.
Ms McMorrin is a staunchly Remain-supporting Labour MP, and while Mr Ali did support remaining in the EU, he has said he will “respect the outcome” of the referendum and called Boris Johnson’s deal “a great deal for our country, giving us control over our borders, trade and laws”.
The constituency voted to remain in the Brexit referendum.
■ Vale of Glamorgan
The Vale of Glamorgan was always going to be an interesting seat to watch, but even so more given the recent scandal involving the Conservative candidate Alun Cairns.
He quit as Secretary of State for Wales after questions about what he knew about a former staff member’s comments to a rape trial.
Mr Cairns is still the candidate, despite being subject to a ministerial inquiry by the Cabinet Office.
Labour, and its candidate Belinda Loveluck-Edwards, will hope they can capitalise.
When we went out and about in the constituency, the most common response from people was that they still planned to vote for Mr Cairns, although he has been keeping a low profile.
The “Remain alliance” has come into play here.
YouGov has projected a Conservative victory.
■ Blaenau Gwent
A traditionally Labour seat, this also had the highest Leave vote in Wales in the 2016 EU referendum, with 62% of the vote.
In 2017, Nick Smith got 58% of the vote, with Plaid’s candidate in second place.
The interesting thing to watch here will be how Mr Smith’s vote holds up.
As a whip for the party in Westminster, he’s been a loyal Jeremy Corbyn supporter, so it’ll be intriguing to get an indication of how a resolutely Leave area responds to a Labour figure so on-message with the party’s hierarchy.
■ Cardiff Central
Labour’s Jo Stevens recorded Wales’ biggest majority in 2017, with 25,193 votes to her nearer competitor’s 7,977.
The Lib Dems, who have held the seat in recent years, saw their vote decimated and were demoted to third.
This time, a Remain alliance is in force, but significantly it’s a Remain alliance to stand against a firmly Remain MP.
It is an incumbent – and well-known – MP going against a Lib Dem candidate who is a local ward councillor, but is relatively late to the party.
The seat is one to watch on many levels – how the Labour MP fares, whether the Remain alliance makes a difference, and whether it returns to a battle between the two parties we’ve seen in the past.