Election 2015: The candidates

David Jonathan Edwards

Plaid Cymru

JONATHAN was born in Capel Hendre and lives in Penygroes.

He attended Ysgol Gymraeg Rhydaman and Ysgol Gyfun Maes yr Yrfa before graduating from University of Wales, Aberystwyth, and gaining a post-graduate degree in International History.

He is married to Emma, and they have two children Abbi-Sara and Llywelyn Gruffydd.

Jonathan worked for Citizens Advice Cymru where he led on Public Affairs and Policy matters. It was during his time he decided to stand for election, and won the Carmarthen East and Dinefwr seat in 2010.

He has been Plaid Cymru’s Treasury spokesman.

His interests include social justice and foreign affairs, Swansea City, Scarlets as well as playing cricket for Penygroes

“I pride myself on being Carmarthenshire’s voice in Westminster. If re-elected, I pledge not to support any government that continues with the failed austerity.

“Carmarthen East and Dinefwr is a special place. It deserves an MP who works for the good of urban and rural communities.

“For a positive policy programme that puts people at the heart of politics, I ask voters to kindly re-elect me as their Member of Parliament.”

Twitter @JonathanPlaid

Calum Paul Higgins

Welsh Labour

CALUM was born and bred in Carmarthenshire and lives in Tycroes.

He is a fluent Welsh speaker and was a pupil at Ysgol Gynradd Saron and Ysgol Gyfun Maes yr Yrfa.

He has been county councillor for Tycroes and a representative for Carmarthenshire on Mid and West Wales Fire Authority since 2012.

As a councillor he has campaigned to protect front-line fire services and for the future of the Welsh Language in Carmarthenshire.

Calum graduated from Kings College, London, with a law degree and a Master’s Degree in Devolution from Cardiff University before qualifying as a barrister.

His interests include rugby and singing in Cor Meibion Dyffryn Aman.

He is active in his local community and charity organisations such as Tycroes Village Hall and Tycroes Local Aid.

Calum: “As a local candidate I offer a local voice in a party that can form the next government. I will do my best to use this influence to bring investment and jobs to our area.

“I will prioritise the protection of local services and investment in our local rail network and health services.

“This constituency has a proud history and I am determined that it should see its fair share of attention.”

Twitter @calumhiggins

Sara Lloyd Williams

Welsh Liberal Democrats

SARA grew up in heart of Snowdonia.

She graduated from Bangor University in 2014 and is currently studying towards an Masters Degree in Archives Administration at Aberystwyth University.

Sara has been an active member of the Welsh Liberal Democrats since 2009 – actively volunteering in several election campaigns across Wales.

In 2012 she served as Chair of Liberal Youth Wales and still pursues the issue of engaging young people to make sure that the issues that are important to them are heard within the party.

Sara said: “I want to represent Carmarthen East and Dinefwr as I believe such a vast and differing region needs someone with the energy and passion to deal with the issues facing the constituency.”

Twitter @Sarz_Lloyd

Matthew Graham Paul

Welsh Conservatives

MATTHEW was born and brought up in West Wales, and lives near Llandovery.

He is married and has two young daughters. His eldest has just started school and attends a Welsh-Medium state primary.

Matthew has 14 years’ experience building a successful practice as a barrister working in public, regulatory and agricultural law.

He is not a career politician, but has always had a strong interest in politics and social justice, and is an active campaigner on local issues.

He has represented community action groups free of charge in the High Court and Court of Appeal. and enjoys singing, cars and bikes, and all country sports.

“I am proud of the Conservative government’s record, and I believe that public services in Carmarthenshire can only be improved if the economic recovery continues”.

“My greatest aim is to bring people real freedom; from overbearing government and from private companies that make their lives a misery.

“I will not tolerate oppressive behaviour by banks, payday lenders or utilities.

“I enjoy helping people solve their problems, and I will confront those in power if a constituent is not being treated fairly.

“I will stand up for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr in Parliament”.

Twitter @matthewgpaul

Ben Leonard Rice

Wales Green Party

Ben is a lifelong resident of Carmarthenshire and grew up with a farming background.

“I believes I am well placed to deliver Green Policy among some of the constituents typically less likely to cast a ballot in favour of the Green Party.

“I believe our policies can deliver a stable and sustainable future for farming in Wales and support the traditional smaller, lower impact models of family farms over the dangerous, cruel and environmentally unfriendly industrialised factory farming units that I despise.”

Twitter @GreenParty_Ben

Jasmine Angelina Norma Woodward

UK Independence Party

NORMA Woodward is the UK Independence Party candidate for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr.

Norma is married with two children. She is currently learning Welsh, and lives near Ammanford.

She attended a state grammar school gaining four A levels and read a degree in Mathematics at university.

During her early career she worked as a computer programmer, systems analyst and lecturer to college students. 

Norma also worked at British Nuclear Design and Construction in the Midlands where she worked on nuclear reactor simulations. 

She decided to make a major career change and took up teaching full-time. 

“My life experiences as a teacher along with being principal of my own tuition company have given me invaluable skills in helping others,” said Norma.

“I am currently not teaching so have plenty of time to commit fully to UKIP and the constituency as an MP. 

“I joined UKIP after I came to realise that the Westminster parties were themselves the main obstacles to halting Britain’s decline. 

“I feel frustrated by the ongoing mismanagement of our finances, the endemic deception of politicians, the lowering of standards in education and lack of support for women in certain areas. 

“As austerity bites, we see the continual widening of the gap between rich and poor, and it is about time that the 99 per cent were offered a better deal.”