WITH just a week until the May 7 general election, the campaign for Ceredigion promises to be a hotly contested one.

The Tivy-Side Advertiser has been talking to the six Ceredigion candidates about their backgrounds and why they think they should represent the county at Westminster.

DAN THOMPSON

(Green Party)

“I was born in Maidstone, Kent, and, at the age of three months moved with my family to West Wales, and, apart from four years doing my Computer Science degree in Brighton University, I have spent my whole life living and working here.

“After getting my degree, I set up a successful local computer business in 2002. It is still going strong to this day and I like to think provides a valuable service to my community.

“I have always been interested in solving problems, whether they are big or small. For over 10 years I have been interested in the problem of debt-based money and how it could be the root cause of many of our economic, social and environmental problems.

“Since then I have taught myself economics and read tirelessly on the matter, and work with groups such as Positive Money to bring the subject to public attention.

“Monetary reform is an issue that will always be very close to my heart, I believe it would benefit the UK nationally and in particular it would benefit everyone who lives in Ceredigion.

“I have trained with Positive Money to speak on the matter and the Green Party’s support of their proposals is what led me to join the party in 2013.

“I have also worked to oppose the incursion of big business in to our democratic process by opposing issues such as TTIP and working with the Occupy movement to highlight these problems.”

GETHIN JAMES

(UKIP)

“I am 49 years old and married with four young children, I have lived in Ceredigion all my life.

“My great grandfather moved to Aberporth in 1910 and opened a steam bakery at Glanmordy above Dyffryn Beach, my grandfather turned the family business into a newsagents and general stores where four generations of my family worked; I'm a fluent Welsh speaker.

“I spent my early career driving busses for Crossville and Richards bros. In my late twenties I turned to driving HGVs and spent 10 years delivering goods all over Western and Eastern Europe. After having our first child I changed career path completely and took a job Protherics in Ffostrasol working in a medicine manufacturing facility.

“I took an interest in local politics and was first elected as an independent councillor, representing Aberporth Ward on Ceredigion County Council in 2004, after being re-elected in 2008 I gave up my job in Protherics served as a full time councillor and Cabinet member for Environmental Services and Housing for most of the period up to March 2014.

“I joined UKIP last March because I truly believe in their message. We have given our sovereignty away to unelected EU commissioners, and that uncontrolled open border immigration has coincided with soaring youth unemployment and stagnant wages that have not kept pace with the cost of living.

“I have a proven track record in local government and, if elected, I will always put the interests of the residents of Ceredigion first.”

MIKE PARKER

(Plaid Cymru)

“I never expected to be standing for Parliament.

“I’ve spent 24 years self-employed as a writer and broadcaster, writing travel works such as the original Rough Guide to Wales, and presenting series such as Great Welsh Roads and Coast to Coast.

“I’ve always had strong political convictions; I campaigned against the Iraq war 12 years ago, and have been a member of local campaigns for better public transport. But it’s the experience of the past five years of this Tory–Lib Dem Government which has driven me to stand as Ceredigion’s next MP.

“The Lib Dems in government have caved in to the Tories on so many issues – trebling tuition fees, increasing VAT, introducing the bedroom tax, and leaving Ceredigion out of a plan to help rural areas with fuel costs.

“Our poverty is not inevitable. We have a beautiful landscape, an equable climate, clean air, clean water, culture and entrepreneurship – Ceredigion is unquestionably rich in those things which will be of most value in the future.

“What we need is progressive policies; to nurture small businesses through cutting business rates, investment in telecoms and transport infrastructure, and provision of decent public services such as a proper hospital in Cardigan.

“This will only be achieved if we have a Government that listens to areas such as ours. We will always be an afterthought for the three Westminster parties.

“If elected, I promise to be a strident advocate for all the people of Ceredigion.”

MARK WILLIAMS

(Liberal Democrat)

Mark Williams was elected as Member of Parliament for Ceredigion in 2005.

Coming to study at Aberystwyth University as a student, Mark then worked for Geraint Howells, the Liberal MP for Ceredigion. Mark then worked as a primary school teacher for 10 years before being elected. He lives in the north of the county, with his wife and four children.

Having served as the Member of Parliament for Ceredigion for the past 10 years, Mark has worked hard for local people, and helping thousands of constituents on a range of issues, including housing, healthcare, supporting community projects, problems with banks, and benefit entitlements.

In Parliament Mark has successfully campaigned on many important topics, most recently lobbying for the Government to change the outdated law of child neglect. He has also led a campaign to lower the rate of VAT on the tourism industry, which is so vital to local economy and created many jobs in the local area.

Mark has pledged to continue to fight to protect rural services in our area. Mark will continue to support small businesses which are the backbone of our rural economy, and continue to ensure the tax system is made fairer to support low and middle workers. He will work to ensure the roll out of broadband in Wales includes the hard to reach areas of Ceredigion.

Mark would like to see an end to trident so that the funds spent on this “outdated military resource” can be used for our health and education services.

HUW THOMAS

(Labour)

“As someone who was born and bred here, I passionately want to help Ceredigion succeed. Ceredigion voters have been let down by a Tory/Lib Dem government who prioritised tax breaks to millionaires, whilst the rest of us have seen our cost of living soar, and our public services slashed.

“I want to help strengthen Ceredigion’s economy, so that young people can have fulfilling career without having to leave the area, and hard-working families are able to make ends meet.

“It’s a scandal how one in three working people in Ceredigion earn less than the living wage. To help address this, a Labour Government would raise the minimum wage and expand the living wage, whilst banning exploitative zero hour contracts.

“Labour’s plan to create a million green jobs presents a huge opportunity for Ceredigion, and I would fight to ensure that the UK continues to be a part of the EU, so vital to the county’s agricultural industry.

“I would also seek to protect the public services we all cherish. The privatisation of our NHS which has gone too far; and Labour will stop it, along with preventing the deep cuts to public spending that the Coalition is planning. The deficit must be brought down, of course, in a way that’s fair, which won’t endanger this fragile recovery.

“Finally, I would be a strong Welsh voice in Westminster, who would keep my promises to the people of Ceredigion, and would fight for their interests to the utmost of my abilities.”

HENRIETTA HENSHER

Welsh Conservatives

Henrietta was born and raised in West Wales and currently works in the hospitality industry.

Henrietta is passionate about boosting the local economy, creating more opportunities for young people in Ceredigion and is interested in rural affairs and tourism. Her main campaigns at this election are getting a Cancer Drugs Fund for Wales, freezing council tax and standing up for farmers across Ceredigion.

“For too long, the Liberal Democrats and Plaid Cymru have taken this unique corner of Wales for granted and Welsh Conservatives want to builder a strong local economy that creates jobs for our young people, more homes for families and protecting our heritage and culture.

“Looking after pensioners so that they can retire in the knowledge that their pensions are secure and that the services they need are provided are at the heart of what Welsh Conservatives stand for. We also believe that people should have a say on our future relationship with the EU.

“In 2010, the UK and Wales stood at the brink. Since then, we've seen more jobs created across our country and the fastest growing economy in the G7. This record shows how important the choice is between sticking to a plan that is working or allowing a coalition of chaos to undo all of this hard work.”