PEOPLE in Ceredigion will be going to the polls this Thursday to vote in the Welsh Assembly elections. Here, the constituency candidates make their case for why they should get your vote.

Dr Felix Aubel

Conservative

First and foremost, Ceredigion really is the heart of mid and west Wales. As a proud Welsh speaker and a lover of the Welsh language and history, I relish the rich culture Ceredigion has to offer.

I have strong connections with the county for the majority of my adult life and have experience in a wide range of local industries, from agriculture to tourism; therefore I am keen to see small businesses prosper from a robust growth in industry in Ceredigion.

As a former resident of Aberaeron, I know first-hand the potential Ceredigion has, to be one of the most thriving and prosperous areas in Wales.

Britain’s economic recovery is strengthening but, under Labour, Wales is falling behind.

After 17 years, Welsh Labour have had the chance to turn things around, but instead of delivering the change Wales needs, Labour have become complacent, taking voters for granted.

This is putting Wales’ future at risk.

As a ‘One Nation’ Conservative, I entered politics to make a difference to people’s lives and I’m committed to helping communities and supporting aspiration in order to improve the quality of life for people living and working in this wonderful area.

Elizabeth Evans

Liberal Democrat

Communities in Ceredigion are feeling battered by cuts to local services such as schools, hospitals, day centres and post offices, and neglected by policies that are designed for south Wales and ignore the particular needs of rural Wales.

We need a strong champion in the Assembly to fight for the interests of our county.

Having been born and raised in Ceredigion and having lived and worked most of my life here, I am passionate about this county and its people. As a caseworker for Mark Williams MP, I helped thousands of local people and got to know the concerns of local communities intimately.

As county councillor for my hometown of Aberaeron, I have doggedly held the council leadership to account, especially over cuts to public services, and I have put forward proposals to help our communities and local businesses such as two hours’ free parking.

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have a good record of getting things done in the Assembly — winning more money for Ceredigion council and local universities, introducing minimum nursing levels in hospitals and discounted bus travel for 16 and 17-year-olds — and we have a positive plan to improve healthcare, empower communities and build affordable homes.

Gethin James

UKIP

I have lived in Ceredigion all my life. My family have been at Glanmordy in Aberporth since 1910, and I’m proud to have represented Aberporth ward on Ceredigion County Council over the past 12 years.

My experience as a councillor has driven me to stand for the Welsh Assembly, as I believe the establishment in Cardiff Bay have let rural communities down.

Ceredigion needs a new voice. If you elect me as your Assembly Member I will stand up and be a strong voice fighting for your concerns in Cardiff Bay and always put your needs first.

Y foeseg sy’n gyrru ein maniffesto i’w rhyddid a rhoi llais yn ôl i’r bobl. Ni am weld democratiaeth go iawn, gwir datganoli ac atebolrwydd.Byddwn ni yn gwneud canran o fyrddau Iechyd yn etholedig, creu’r manteision gorau i’n plant a rhoi llais i chi a’r ceisiadau cynllunio mawr sy’n effeithio eich cymunedau.Rydym am reoli mewnfudo trwy system pwyntiau fel Awstralia, sy’n rhoi tegwch i bobl sydd am ddod yma i weithio o unrhyw ran o’r byd. Ddim yn gallu gwneud hyn tra bod ni’n aelodau o’r Undeb Ewropeaidd. Pleidleisiwch dros UKIP ar y pumed o Fai i gael llais cryf yng Nghynulliad Cymru.Elin Jones

Plaid Cymru

This election has the potential to be the most exciting since the beginning of devolution. Plaid Cymru is closing on Labour in the polls, and has put forward a bold, positive and costed agenda for change.

Nowhere is this change more needed than in the NHS. I’ve been involved in campaigns for local health services all my political life — at Bronglais, Cardigan, Tregaron and elsewhere.

This experience has been crucial in shaping how I want to see the health service develop. An NHS under local control with health board bureaucracy cut back, and fully integrated with community services.

I want investment in staff to treat people more quickly and equality of access for all, no matter whether urban or rural, to good modern healthcare. We need to treat older people and those with dementia with dignity and fairness. And we must say ‘no’ to hospital centralisation.

In health, as in telecommunications, transport and our rural economy, I’m as determined as ever to ensure that Ceredigion’s voice is heard loud and clear in our National Assembly.

I’d like to thank everyone in the county for the warm reception I’ve received during this campaign. With your support, I will continue to do my utmost to deliver real benefits for everyone in Ceredigion.

Iwan Wyn Jones

Labour

The junior doctor crisis in England shows clearly how vital a Welsh Labour government is for a safer and more prosperous Wales.

Through our good working relationship with junior doctors there has been no strike in Wales.

Welsh Labour are halfway through our decade of delivery for Wales. We have already secured record-breaking GCSE results, employment for 15,000 young people through our Jobs Growth Wales scheme, and supported our local economy by financing Welsh students to go to university. Thanks to Welsh Labour, no Welsh student will pay more than £3,810 per year.

However our work is not done. Only a Welsh Labour Government in Cardiff Bay after 5 May will fight against the detrimental effects of the Tory cuts in Wales. Ceredigion Labour have played a major role in the Aberystwyth Post Office campaign.

Welsh Labour will deliver 30 hours of free childcare for 48 weeks of the year for three and four-year-olds, and invest more money per person in health and social services in Wales compared to England.

We will create 100,000 new apprenticeships across Wales while providing business rate relief for small and medium-sized businesses, and commission a full feasibility study to re-open the Aberystwyth-Carmarthen railway line.

Brian Dafydd Williams

Green Party

Green Party policy is written by its members and voted for in national conference. A Green AM would be bound by those policies unlike any of the other mainstream parties.

This means that in the Senedd, a Green AM would champion the fledgling renewables industry, making it easier for community groups to power themselves and provide local skilled employment for Welsh people.

They would propose and support the idea of free lifelong education for all in Wales, from higher education to apprenticeships. Most importantly, they’d immediately call for a halt to the program of small school closures and ensure that travel to school remained free for all students.

These are only two examples of what a Green AM would do to shake up the Senedd, without even mentioning our commitment to public health.

The planet we live on is not an expendable resource. Infinite growth is impossible in a finite world. Here in Wales we can play our part by becoming a 100 per cent renewable economy by 2030 using our wind, water and tidal resources.

The Green Party truly represents the needs of people, planet and Wales and that’s why come 5 May I’ll be voting Green twice.