Plaid Cymru select Neath parliamentary candidate for possible early election

Andrew, a former Neath Port Talbot County Borough Councillor who also worked as a Policy Officer for Age Cymru, and a Research Assistant on several children’s rights projects at Swansea University, was selected at a meeting of Plaid Cymru Neath members.

Former Plaid Cymru Parliamentary candidate and current Deputy Leader of Neath Port Talbot Council, Councillor Alun Llewelyn said; “It is uncertain whether the next UK general election will be contested on new constituency boundaries, but I know Andrew will be a committed campaigner on behalf of our valleys and towns, and would make an excellent MP for Neath constituency.”

Neath has been held by Labour for most of the last hundred years, with Labour candidates winning in every election since 1922. However, in recent years there’s been signs that Labour’s hold on the area may be weakening. In last years local elections, Labour lost their majority of Neath Port Talbot Council – a majority they have maintained for the entire existence of the authority.

The 38-year old, who currently works as a senior community liaison and lives with his partner and young son said his main priority would be community empowerment and the defence of vital public services.

Andrew Jenkins said: “After a hundred years of voting Labour, last year residents across every town and village of the constituency made their voices heard – they would no longer accept more of the same. They were fed up of empty promises, business as usual, communities forgotten and their opinions dismissed.”

“Throughout the constituency there are countless people who struggling but aren’t getting the support they need. Services that are supposed to help have been underfunded, undermined and undervalued over the last thirteen years of Tory rule. Enough is enough.”

“I was born in Neath, I was brought up and educated in Neath, I work and volunteer in Neath and am raising my family here. I’ve invested in the future of our communities and want to see them prosper.”

“If elected, I will champion the communities of Neath, our towns and our villages, both here and in Westminster. I will fight for your voice to be heard and respected, and to work with the new Rainbow Coalition and our Members of the Senedd to deliver our shared vision of a better Neath.”

Sioned Williams, Member of the Senedd for South Wales West said; “Andrew is a committed, principled and passionate champion of Neath. I have no doubt he will be a fantastic MP for Neath and look forward to supporting his campaign in the days ahead.”

(Lead image: Andrew Jenkins)