Everything you need to know about the Clwyd West candidates standing in the Senedd election 2021

Persons nominated for Clwyd West are

• Jeanie Barton (UKIP Scrap The Assembly);
• Clare Eno (Reform UK);
• Rhydian Hughes (Gwlad - The Welsh Independence Party);
• Joshua Connor Hurst (Welsh Labour);
• Euan Joseph McGivern (Abolish The Welsh Assembly Party);
• Darren David Millar (Welsh Conservative Party Candidate);
• Dr Elin Mair Walker Jones (Plaid Cymru - The Party of Wales) and
• David James Wilkins (Welsh Liberal Democrats).

Rhydian Hughes (Gwlad - The Welsh Independence Party)

Rhydian Hughes (Gwlad - The Welsh Independence Party)

Mr Hughes, representing Wales’ newest political party Gwlad - The Welsh Independence Party, is a first language Welsh speaker.

One of six children, Mr Hughes’s entire childhood was conducted in Welsh.

The business owner also went to Sunday School, participated in local Eisteddfods and was brought up with the tales of the Brenin Arthur (King Arthur), Gododdin, the Mabinogion and Taliesin.

“These were the fundamentals which has made me the man I am today a proud Welshman, of its history, heritage and culture,” Mr Hughes said.

“I started my own business in 2015 and I have been operating my business successfully ever since. Although Welsh is my first language I can also hold a conversation in the Polish language.

“I believe that we live in the greatest country in the world that has yet to reach its potential. I believe the problem stems from the limited vision by consecutive ‘unionist’ politicians that seek to undermine Wales’ abilities by seeking to keep Wales in a state of procrastination and idleness so to justify Wales’ continued membership of the United Kingdom.

“All my life I have been a supporter of Wales becoming a free, independent nation.

"I was a active member of the independence movement ‘YesCymru’ from 2015 in which I was elected Vice Chairman from 2016 - 2018.”

Joshua Connor Hurst (Welsh Labour)

Joshua Connor Hurst (Welsh Labour)

Mr Hurst, representing Welsh Labour, hopes to provide a voice for those that have felt “alienated or disenfranchised with the political system”.

The charity caseworker, who has lived in Rhos-on-sea since 2013, having previously lived in Abergele and Betws Yn Rhos, feels the constituency has “vast potential”.

“I will ensure that no community or individual is left behind,” he said.

"Clwyd West has vast potential, however a lack serious advocacy for our high streets, businesses, schools, and local services means this potential is rarely manifested. I will fight diligently to guarantee that our towns and communities flourish moving forward."

Over the past seven years, Mr Hurst, who has a master’s degree in International Human Rights Law and a Bachelors in Political Science from Cardiff University, has managed a multitude of campaigns, charities, and organisations across Wales.

He added: "I have been an ardent advocate for my constituency to ensure the procurement of free school meals, a fair Brexit agreement, support for homeless assistance and the implementation of the living wage.

"During the pandemic I worked as a frontline worker at a Llandudno supermarket, alongside working as a teaching assistant."

Darren David Millar (Welsh Conservative Party Candidate)

Darren David Millar (Welsh Conservative Party Candidate)

Darren Millar, Welsh Conservative Party Candidate, is the candidate to beat; he has represented Clwyd West in the Senedd for the last 14 years.

“It has been a huge privilege,” Mr Millar said.

"Having been brought up in Towyn and educated in Abergele and Rhos-on-Sea before a successful career in accountancy and the charity sector, I now live in Kinmel Bay with my wife and two grown up children.

"As the Member of the Senedd for Clwyd West, I have been at the forefront of campaigns to save local hospitals and health services, including safeguarding the future of maternity services at Glan Clwyd Hospital and preventing the closure of Abergele Hospital, and for better flood defences in places such as Old Colwyn, Ruthin and other communities at risk."

Mr Millar said if he is blessed to be re-elected on May 6, he will continue to work hard for people in Conwy and Denbighshire as the area "bounces back" from Covid.

"I will also fight for a fairer deal for North Wales, which has not received it's fair share of investment when compared to South Wales since the establishment of devolution in 1999," Mr Millar said.

"I will also continue to champion Older People's Rights, faith communities, and our armed forces and veterans in the Senedd, each of which has been a focus of my work over the years.

Dr Elin Mair Walker Jones (Plaid Cymru - The Party of Wales)

Dr Elin Mair Walker Jones (Plaid Cymru - The Party of Wales)

Dr Walker Jones, Plaid Cymru, is originally from Carmarthen.

The mum-of-four, who is married, has lived in North Wales for more than 20 years.

Dr Walker Jones is also a Gwynedd county council and Bangor city councillor and a school governor in local schools.

She’s employed as a clinical psychologist by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, working with children and young people with learning disabilities and autism.

“Having worked with vulnerable families all my life, I am worried about the effect of Covid-19 and lockdown on the mental health of children and young people and their families,” Dr Walker Jones said.

“Clwyd West is a diverse area in terms of its people and geography and so people’s worries are also diverse. Things like the cost of social care, lack of jobs and homes for young people, digital poverty and further south of the constituency, the state of the farming industry. So many people have been affected by Covid-19 in terms of loss of health and loved ones; lockdowns have decimated our communities, our jobs, the tourism industry in North Wales.

“We need to rebuild our communities and give people hope.”

Dr Walker Jones has lived and worked in many areas of Wales. She believes this has given her a broad perspective of the frustrations that people face across Wales, as well as a good understanding of all the talents that the people of Wales can offer.

Jeanie Barton (UKIP Scrap The Assembly)

Jeanie Barton (UKIP Scrap The Assembly)

Ms Barton, UKIP candidate for Clwyd West and UKIP’s Regional candidate, has worked in the transport industry for 40 plus years as a transport manager.

The keen horse rider and judge, who is against puppy farming, lives in the Clwyd South area.

She said: “I am very aware of the transport needs and very particularly the lack of bus services in the rural areas and in most cases non-existent.

“I believe in people’s rights being addressed both rural and local issues.

“I have believe people with all disabilities having the right to speak up and be listened too and helped.

“Waiting list and care from the NHS in North Wales is lacking and people are dying whilst on waiting list and unable to see a GP is totally unacceptable.

“The North South divide regarding our transport links is very lacking.

“In North Wales we have 19th century roads for the 21st century.”

David James Wilkins (Welsh Liberal Democrats)

David James Wilkins (Welsh Liberal Democrats)

Mr Wilkins, Welsh Liberal Democrats, is a busy father and full-time teacher.

Mr Wilkins lives with his wife and young family in Rhos-on-Sea.

He grew up in Deganwy and attended Ysgol John Bright before attending University where he graduated to become a science teacher.

He currently teaches full time at a local secondary school and has first hand experience of the importance in investing in education and supporting children, young people and their families.

Mr Wilkins said: “If elected to the Senedd, I would work tirelessly to improve the access to mental health support in what is clearly an overwhelmed system, making sure support is available for those who need it 24/7. I would work with local councils and businesses to help the high streets of North Wales recover, investing to boost regional economic growth. David wants to see a fair share of the money made in the sale of rights for wind farms brought back here to be spent on sustainable development along the coast.”

Mr Wilkins, who is also a keen environmentalist, aims to “radically change” the way we travel in North Wales.

“I want to end the endless cycle of expensive and environmentally destructive road building programs in Wales,” he added.

“We could fund a growth in active transport and overhaul our public transport to make it world leading and carbon neutral.”

Mr Wilkins wants to see potholes and road surface repaired to make roads safer and more comfortable for everyone, focussing on repairing what we have rather than building new.

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Efforts have and continue to be made to contact Clare Eno (Reform UK) and Euan Joseph McGivern (Abolish The Welsh Assembly Party). The parties have also been approached.

No replies were received before the Journal went to press.

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The date of election is Thursday, May 6 2021.

A poll will be taken on the above date between the hours of 7am and 10pm.

A poll will also be taken for the election of regional members along with a poll for the election for a Police and Crime Commissioner for the North Wales Police area.