Tag: ukip

Lawrence Gwynn: UKIP – Llanishen

We’ve invited all the local election candidates to complete this questionnaire so you know more about the people asking for your vote on the 4th of May. We’re also compiling a list of their websites and social media accounts so you can follow them and get in touch if you have any questions.

Lawrence Gwynn

Name – Lawrence Gwynn
Party – UKIP
Ward – Llanishen
Website – ukipcymru.wales
Twitter  –
Facebook –
How can people get in touch with you? – lawrenceukip@gmail.com

About You

Tell us about yourself

I was born in Cardiff, and have lived in Llanishen all my life, attending Coed Glas Primary and Llanishen High Schools.

I have always been concerned about local issues that affect our day to day lives, and I have always kept a close watch on what our elected councillors are doing.

Residents should be able to express their opinions on all the services they receive, and your councillors should be answerable to the good people of Llanishen and Thornhill. I will ensure that I am always available as your local councillor.

What are the biggest issues in your ward?

The state of some of our roads is a disgrace. The potholes are a real nuisance for drivers and cyclists. The speed of the traffic through our narrow streets being used as cut-throughs is also a concern.

The continuing noise from Llanishen Park at night is an issue, and several residents have taken this up with me. Cars are entering the park at night playing loud music, so I believe it should be locked at night.

We also have a major problem in Llanishen and Thornhill with the amount of litter everywhere.

What’s your favourite place in Cardiff and why?

Roath Park. There’s something so calming and magical about it.

What do you think should be done to improve engagement in politics?

It’s important to be open and honest with everyone. When an issue is brought to you by a resident, you have to follow it through and always keep the resident fully informed along the way.

What’s your favourite film?

The Wizard of Oz.

If You’re Elected

What will you do to improve your ward?

Among road improvements, we need to sort out potholes and rat-runs. I would also look into putting a mini roundabout at the junction of Station Road and Fidlas Road to ease congestion in Llanishen village.

I would also push to abolish paying a fee for removal of large household items; we already pay council tax for this. I would ensure car parking fees at Heath Hospital are fully abolished.

How will you communicate with residents in your ward?

By email, phone and I will hold regular surgeries at a local venue twice a week or when required. I will always be on hand.

What issues that affect the whole city would you like to get involved in?

One of my passions is for more train stations to be opened around the City to take traffic off the already congested road network.

Stations should be opened in St Mellons, Trowbridge, and Ocean Park Industrial Estate. These areas could benefit immensely from this.

Final Comments

What would you change about Cardiff and why?

Cardiff is a vibrant and up and coming city. It’s a City that I love and cherish.

There’s not much I would really change, but we need to give everyone the same equal opportunity to prosper and enjoy life in our wonderful City.

Any final comments?

Non submitted (Editor)

Crispin John: UKIP – Llanishen

We’ve invited all the local election candidates to complete this questionnaire so you know more about the people asking for your vote on the 4th of May. We’re also compiling a list of their websites and social media accounts so you can follow them and get in touch if you have any questions.

Crispin John

Name – Crispin John
Party – UKIP
Ward – Llanishen
Website – ukipcymru.wales
Twitter  – @CrispinJohn
Facebook –
How can people get in touch with you? – Twitter

About You

Tell us about yourself

I was born in Cardiff and was educated at Cardiff High School and Cardiff University. I have lived in North Cardiff for over 20 years and I have had a varied career in financial services and the public sector. I am now Senior Advisor and Researcher for Gareth Bennett AM at the National Assembly for Wales. My special policy interests include transport, planning, local government and housing.

I’ve previously held a number of roles as a school governor and in the voluntary sector, and I’ve been interested in politics ever since I was growing up. At knocking on for 40 years old now, I want to bring the experience I’ve gained to work together with others to make Cardiff a better place to live, work and visit.

What are the biggest issues in your ward?

By far the biggest issue is that Llanishen has been neglected and taken for granted for too long. We need to see better opportunities for local people, and regeneration of our communities. From the shops at Llangranog Road to the Business Park and Industrial Estate at Ty Glas, investment is desperately needed.

We need to improve transport links and ensure that local services like libraries and community centres are protected from damaging cuts, so we give all of our community the best possible opportunities to get on in life.

What’s your favourite place in Cardiff and why?

Working in the Bay, people may expect me to say it’s down there, but I like to get away from it all. I love walking, so heading up to Cefn Onn Park or the Wenallt is probably my favourite activity, just to get away from it all and enjoy what North Cardiff has to offer.

What do you think should be done to improve engagement in politics?

We need more ‘real people” in politics, people who represent society as a whole and who aren’t just cardboard cut-outs in suits. Now I do like a suit myself, but I’m equally at home in a pair of jeans and a T shirt. The point is really that people do feel cut off from politics, and I want to change that. It starts by getting more people from all walks of life engaged and involved in the daily grind of it all.

What’s your favourite film?

Airplane!

If You’re Elected

What will you do to improve your ward?

I’ll stand up for the people of Llanishen and Thornhill by providing a strong voice in the Council Chamber and will really listen to what people are saying. There are some really simple steps that can be taken to make a difference to some of the things that niggle people on a daily basis. This goes from basic highways maintenance like dealing with pot holes and uneven pavements, to eliminating rat-runs, to ensuring that antisocial behaviour is dealt with. We also need to look at regeneration of areas in the ward where it’s desperately needed. In particular, I’m concerned about the Business Park at Ty Glas which is rapidly emptying, and there are proposals to move the Tax Office to Cardiff City Centre. We need to develop a plan to ensure the community doesn’t suffer as a result.

How will you communicate with residents in your ward?

The first part of communication is listening, so I will make sure that I do this by holding regular surgeries, establishing a social media presence dedicated to the ward, and undertaking resident’s surveys for those who want to contribute. I will also keep people updated with what I’m doing by regular updates, and if anyone has an issue and wants to get in touch, I will always be pleased to hear from them.

What issues that affect the whole city would you like to get involved in?

One of the major challenges facing Cardiff at the moment is the Local Development Plan and its impact on public transport. I’ll bring my experience to tackling that and pushing for the best possible outcome for Llanishen and Thornhill to protect our bus and train services. I’ll also be looking to protect those essential public services we all rely on; waste collections, libraries, care for the elderly and schools and youth services.

Final Comments

What would you change about Cardiff and why?

Cardiff needs to be a city which works for everybody. This just isn’t happening at the moment and the Council has become tired and ineffective. The Council needs to work hard, and not just at election time, so that’s what I would change about the city. I’m proud to live in Cardiff, proud to be a Cardiffian, and by working together, we can make the changes we need to make this an even better place to live.

Any final comments?

Non submitted (Editor)

South Wales Central Assembly Member Gareth Bennett Launches New Website

South Wales Central Assembly Member Gareth Bennett Launches New Website

South Wales Central Regional Assembly Member Gareth Bennett (UKIP) has launched his new personal website.

The Cardiff-born politician talks about his upbringing and life before entering politics. He also shares his political history, how he ended up joining UKIP and the drama surrounding his selection as an Assembly candidate.

Gareth Bennett AM

Gareth is the UKIP Assembly spokesman for Local Government, Housing and Sport. He is a member of the Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee and the Petitions Committee in the Assembly.

You can watch videos of Gareth’s speeches in the Assembly and read about the constituency issues he working on.

Find out more about our Assembly members on the National Assembly for Wales website.

Visit our Assembly Member page for more information and links.

 

Candidate Comments: Haydn Rushworth – UKIP

Guest post by Haydn Rushworth

Haydn Rushworth is the UKIP constituency candidate for Cardiff North.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, My Cardiff North.

Haydn Rushworth

In times of war, when national crisis demands that every citizen unifies behind a single goal and great, personal sacrifices for the greater good are common, young people have always been at the front and centre coming to the rescue of the entire nation.

Following the Battle of Britain, when Churchill said “Never in the field of human conflict, has so much been owed by so many to so few”, it emerged that the average age of the brave pilots who defended Britain was just 20 years old.

Haydn Rushworth profile imageToday, Wales is facing a national catastrophe of crisis proportions. It affects absolutely every aspect of life in Wales, and it is the central threat to the hope-filled future that today’s young people SHOULD be looking forward to.

I’m talking about the Welsh share of the National Deficit. This is the amount of money that government must borrow each year to make up the difference between taxes raised (money in) and public spending (money out). The University of Cardiff recently published a report that calculated that the Welsh share for last year was an eye-watering, crippling, UN.BE.LIEVABLE… £14.7 billion… for JUST ONE YEAR!!!!!!!

Now, you may hear big numbers thrown about a lot and not think much of it, but lets put this into some context. We are on the verge of a National Referendum on whether the UK should leave the EU. Part of the reason for raising this question is that it costs the UK £8 billion each year just to remain members. So what if we leave? We’ll save £8 billion per year. What if, somebody takes a little peak at the near-£15 billion (almost double) that Wales costs the national economy every year and asks the awkward question “so, errr… should we now hold a referendum on whether the UK should leave Wales?”

Of course that’s not going to happen, but even so, if we don’t act now, the next generation will pay a heavy price, and that’s what UKIP wants to avoid.

So what’s the answer?

  1. Unlike other political parties who will try to convince you they THEY are the answer to all your problems, UKIP believes that no single government can solve this problem. It’s too big, and it involves all of us. UKIP Believes that people power, not government power, is the most critical element.
  2. Fundamental reforms to the education system are necessary so that every young person is trained and empowered in the art and craft of wealth-creation. As individuals become wealthy, the entire Welsh nation becomes wealthy.
  3. Young People MUST lead this revolution, then the rest of Wales will follow.
  4. The deficit crisis needs to be the Number 1 priority for the Welsh Assembly, and if enough people demand this, they will have to listen and start to act. Vote UKIP to let your voices be heard.

For more information on my personal proposals for tackling the Deficit Crisis, go to haydnrushworth.com.

By Haydn Rushworth

twitter.com/UkipHaydn

Candidate Comments: Haydn Rushworth – UKIP

Guest post by Haydn Rushworth

Haydn Rushworth is the UKIP constituency candidate for Cardiff North.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, My Cardiff North.

Haydn Rushworth and family

One of the biggest misunderstandings about UKIP is that we hate Eastern Europeans.

I’d like to try to set the record straight. UKIP DOES NOT HATE EASTERN EUROPEANS! Let me tell you a little about myself and you’ll understand my perspective better.

My name is Haydn Rushworth (Haydn is pronounced like the composer, Franz Joseph Haydn… my father was a musician). I’m representing UKIP in the 2016 Welsh Assembly Elections in Cardiff North, and it might interest you to know that Yulia, my beautiful wife of 3 years now, is Romanian.

I’m originally from Yorkshire, and just a couple of weeks ago we gave birth to our first baby, a little Welsh girl that we’ve named Lizzie (Yulia is a big Jane Austen fan), so that makes us a fairly multinational little family.

Haydn Rushworth profile imageThere’s always more to tell, but that can come later. For now, back to those “racist UKIP” allegations that seem to stick to UKIP like treacle.

UKIP loves hard-working people who take personal responsibility seriously and contribute positively to their society regardless of where they come from. Every country has people to be proud of and people to be, well, frankly, ashamed of. That’s humanity for you.

Just like most other countries on earth, UKIP just wants Britain to be free to welcome ethical, responsible, hard working people from any country in the world (like my wonderful wife from Romania), but to also be free to protect itself from people who WE KNOW are coming here to cause trouble.

Terrorists, Drug dealers, thieves, credit card fraudsters, sex traffickers and villains of every variety.

UKIP wants Britain to be free to help rescue refugees who are genuinely fleeing for their lives regardless of which war-torn country they come from.

UKIP is NOT saying “Shut the borders, keep foreigners out”.

UKIP is saying, “welcome to our country fellow humans, please form an orderly queue so we can filter out the troublemakers and protect the peace and stability of the nation we are about to welcome you into”.

Let’s take a look at the current refugee crisis for a moment.

Let’s start, for arguments sake, by assuming that here in the UK, we have the ability to help 100,000 refugees per year with housing and financial help whilst they get themselves back in their feet.

If we had a choice between two options, which one would you choose…

Option 1) Survival of the fittest, anybody can come here. The first 100,000 people who can make it to our shores will get the housing and money, doesn’t matter if you’re coming here to cause trouble, where you come from and what your dodgy reasons are for coming here. If you’re an opportunist who’s ready to take on a tough challenge for a house and money in the UK, then buckle up, join the gold-rush and may the fittest and toughest ones win!

Or

Option 2) We, the British people, CHOOSE who to help, and we start with the weakest and most vulnerable. We make sure we start by helping children, mothers and the elderly along with husbands and fathers. We try to keep families together and bring those people to the UK to house and help them. After all, wouldn’t it make more sense to house 100,000 entire families instead of just 100,000 fit and able, single young men.

Of course, anybody with a heart would choose option 2, but the problem is, as long as we are a part of the EU, option 2 is simply impossible. That kind of compassionate policy, backed by the British people and aimed at helping those who need it most, is simply NOT POSSIBLE whilst we are members of the EU. I know it sounds like a broken record to keep saying this, but unless we can regain control of our borders we have no control over our ability to choose to help the weakest, most vulnerable and most needy.

Fundamentally, THIS is why UKIP wants us to leave the EU. Not to keep good people out, not to refuse to help those in need, but because frankly, whilst Britain’s compassion has no limits, unfortunately our ability to house and help people in need DOES have a limit. Housing is scarce and funds are thin on the ground, and UKIP simply wants to use those scarce resources as carefully, compassionately and responsibly as possible.

By Haydn Rushworth

twitter.com/UkipHaydn

Official Constituency Candidates Announced

Candidates graphic

The official constituency candidates have been published by Cardiff Council. We weren’t expecting any surprises but it looks like UKIP Wales are fielding a candidate. They told us they were a few weeks ago but then went very quiet.

Haydn Rushworth is the Creative Marketing Director at Exposure UK, a marketing company based in Penarth. We’ll have more details on the site soon.

So the final line up is:

For all the latest news, subscribe to the blog and follow us on Twitter.

 

How the Welsh voting system could secure nine Assembly seats for Ukip

The Conversation logo

Exterior of The Senedd (National Assembly building)

Jac Larner, Cardiff University

On May 5, voters in Wales will head to the polls to elect the country’s fifth devolved government. This forthcoming National Assembly is set to look dramatically different to all of those preceding it, namely because of the addition of one party – Ukip.

Polls in Wales have shown the party steadily increasing its support, building upon its strong 2015 General Election performance, when Ukip came second to Labour in six of Wales’ constituencies, and third overall in the Welsh popular vote. Indeed, it appears as if nothing is able to stop their march on the Senedd.

Despite a month of media coverage of Welsh Ukip infighting and lack of cohesion, the latest Wales Barometer Poll recorded the party’s highest level of support yet in Wales – 18% at both the constituency and regional level. With the Conservative party at 22% and Plaid Cymru at 19%, there could very well be a three-way struggle for the position of Wales’ second largest party.

For a party that at its peak had just two MPs, both from the South East of England, many outside Wales reacted with shock to the news that Ukip could achieve such significant levels of support in Wales. The Financial Times went so far as to describe Ukip’s position in Wales as “surging”.

However, this characterisation is mistaken. Ukip support in Wales is broadly in line with that of much of England. In the 2015 general election, Ukip received 14.1% of the vote in England – compared to 13.6% in Wales – while in the northeast of England – the region most similar demographically to Wales – Ukip received 16.7% of the popular vote. A YouGov poll on February 4 measured UK-wide Ukip support at 18% –- the same as that recorded in Wales.

The difference is that in Wales, Ukip could realistically convert this support into significant representation in the Assembly. It is less a matter of “surging” support in Wales and more a symptom of an electoral system that could bring them actual power.

The electoral system used in the UK for general elections in effect penalises the sort of broad support that Ukip has (think back to the Liberal Democrats in 2010). In order to win representation at Westminster, it’s necessary to have geographically concentrated support, to win in First Past the Post (FPTP) constituency contests.

For the Welsh Assembly elections, however, a different electoral system is used, one which combines two votes: one FPTP, and one which is a form of proportional representation (PR). This PR section of the vote “penalises” parties that win constituency contests, making it easier for smaller parties to win seats. This system suits Ukip very well, as, unlike Labour, the Conservatives and Plaid Cymru, their broad levels of support aren’t concentrated enough to win constituency seats.

So, while levels of support for Ukip in Wales are not particularly different from anywhere else, the electoral system in Wales is better suited to transform their levels of support into representation.

Interior of The Senedd (National Assembly building)

Though Ukip support in Wales may not be surging, it undoubtedly appears to be increasing steadily: Ukip support in the regional list has grown from 13% in a May 2015 Barometer poll to 18% in the most recent.

What is behind this steady increase isn’t entirely clear. One possible explanation is the dramatic increase in media coverage of the impending EU referendum. Ukip has attempted to position itself, with some success, as representing one side of that debate – so much so that a media discussion of the EU is often accompanied by a mention of Ukip.

With the EU referendum now confirmed to take place shortly after the Assembly elections in May, the EU vote is likely to supplant the National Assembly for Wales as the top political news story. As a result, the publicity Ukip receive will get a significant boost. Indeed, the same Barometer poll that measured Ukip’s support at 18%, also showed that 45% of respondents would opt to leave the EU, compared to 37% who would opt to stay. It’s possible that the interplay between these two political events will only increase as both campaigns get closer.

Whether Ukip can turn this support and coverage into seats in the Senedd, however, will likely be a question of turnout. Turnout is historically lower in Assembly elections – just 41.4% in 2011 – so “getting the vote out” is vital for parties to succeed. Plaid Cymru, for example, has historically been successful at this, achieving vote shares an average 10% higher in Assembly elections than general elections. Ukip, is somewhat of an unknown quantity here.

With the EU referendum just seven weeks after the devolved elections, it will be interesting to see what effect – if any – this has with their supporters. Will Ukip supporters have their attention focused on the “big one”, and neglect the Welsh vote? Or will they be galvanised and use the devolved elections as a launchpad for their campaign? How Ukip supporters react, could well decide the makeup of the next National Assembly for Wales.

The Conversation

Jac Larner, PhD researcher, Wales Governance Centre, Cardiff University

This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.

Image credit – Marc | Glenn Wood