My plan. Your priorities.
Real and measurable commitments, for a politics you can trust.
My opponents want to make this an election about It isn’t. This is about local people and who is the best person to serve you and your community’s best interests before the next election in May 2026.
THREE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU VOTE
- I am the only candidate that has taken the time to visit every community and deliver a survey to every house.
- I am the only candidate who has listened to your concerns and followed up with public meetings and local pledges for every neighbourhood, town or village – no matter where you live.
- I am the only candidate who has given you specific pledges, with a timeline so you can hold me to account.
People are tired of the same old politics. They want to know what candidates will do on the issues that matter locally, and when. That’s what I am offering. The choice in this election is between the same old nationalist politics of Reform and Plaid, or something new with me.
Lets look forward, not back.
Richard
My plan. Your priorities.
Invest in our smaller libraries
Time and again people have told me about the loss they feel about services closing in smaller communities. The government announcement about a decade of guaranteed ‘Pride in Place’ funding for our area is a chance to push back on the impact of Tory austerity. As your MS I will work with local communities on a plan for this money to be spent on our smaller library buildings.
Immediately I will
Ask the local authority to put on hold its decision on local libraries in light of the new ‘Pride in Place’ funding.
Before May I will
Work with the council to set up a community board to help determine how the ‘Pride in Place’ funding should be used, then work with the community on an investment plan for library buildings to restore what has been lost from smaller communities.
Real action on anti-social behaviour
There is clearly a feeling that in some communities fast electric bikes, dog fouling and fly-tipping need more enforcement. I won’t over-promise, but I am absolutely committed to working with impacted communities to make sure you are getting the best from the services that should be working to resolve these issues.
Immediately I will
Write to local authorities like the police and council to arrange a meeting and talk through your responses to my survey. In this meeting we will agree what measures we can take together to make a difference.
Before May I will
I will report back to impacted communities with progress on a clear, 5 point action plan that you can measure services against to ensure that the commitments made are being upheld.
Opportunities to get your voice heard
I understand the frustration of not feeling heard. I have had to argue for support for my children with special educational needs, so when services don’t deliver what people expect then I have learned how to make myself heard. I will do the same for you, starting with a roadshow of community meetings with local service providers.
Immediately I will
Write to the Chief Executives and senior leaders in the local police, health service, council, housing associations and transport providers to invite them to a series of community meetings in Caerphilly and in the Valleys communities.
Before May I will
I will publish the dates for these meetings in the local press and online, and I will make sure they are held in locations that are accessible for every community. Residents will be able to raise concerns directly with providers about local maintenance in their estate or give their ideas on local services to senior leaders in a constructive way.
On the side of community organisations
Hefin was my friend and he encouraged me to stand for the Senedd next year. I will honour his legacy by being the powerful voice that he was when it comes to supporting community organisations in our area.
Immediately I will
Make sure that community organisations are represented on the community board for the government’s new £20m ‘Pride in Place’ funding that has been announced for our area.
Before May I will
Organise a one day networking conference for community, faith and voluntary organisations in our area so I can understand the role I can plan in supporting them and create an opportunity for local organisations to discuss how we can tackle common challenges together.
Town centres and high streets we can be proud of
Decline in town centres and on our high streets is a result of our changing shopping habits, but I will work with the council and Senedd to keep investing in public spaces. Together we will use new powers to reverse this decline. More specifically I want to tackle the proliferation of certain business that reduce the offer on our high streets and further accelerate decline in footfall.
Immediately I will
Meet with Ministers to discuss my ideas for new guidance to support the vibrancy of our high streets.
Before May I will
Support Welsh Labour colleagues to pass new planning and licensing guidance to make it easier to take over empty buildings for community use, and to stop the impact of too many similar businesses, like vape shops, that restrict the vibrancy of our high streets.