Welsh Conservatives today revealed an experienced team of local Councillors and a former AM and MP as candidates poised to challenge Labour in North Wales in neighbouring marginal seats, many of which could change hands at the next Assembly elections.
Former AM and MP Dr John Marek, who joined the Welsh Conservative Party in March, will stand for the Party in Wrexham.
In Aberconwy, well known campaigner Cllr Janet Finch-Saunders, Leader of the Opposition on Conwy County Borough Council has been selected in what is expected to be a straight Conservative-Labour battle.
Flintshire Councillor with responsibility for regeneration, Matt Wright, has been selected in Delyn, where he will attempt to overturn Labour’s 511 vote majority. In the Vale of Clwyd, retired police officer Cllr Ian Gunning will stand in North Wales’ most marginal seat. In Clwyd South, Cllr Paul Rogers, who lives in the constituency, will be standing against a new Labour candidate. In Montgomeryshire, Newtown Councillor Russell George will be standing for the Assembly, seeking to repeat a sensational General Election result for the Welsh Conservatives.
Many selections were carried out under new procedures, some including open primaries, involving more ordinary voters in choosing their candidate than ever before.
Nick Bourne, Leader of the Official Opposition in the National Assembly said, “I am delighted to unveil a slate of experienced hardworking campaigners as candidates in North Wales.
“They are a diverse range of candidates, with considerable political, community and business experience, all of whom have experience of other tiers of government, including Dr John Marek in Wrexham, who has a wealth of parliamentary experience and is well respected as a veteran of Welsh politics.
“This year we have made changes to many of our selection procedures in a bid to broaden the appeal and support of our Assembly candidates.
“I am certain that these candidates will have the experience and community spirit to engage actively and positively with their local communities and give confidence that they can be more effective elected representatives than their rival incumbents.
“I look forward to working with them and my team in the Assembly to ensure that we have a positive and ambitious set of proposals to offer the people of Wales in the months and years ahead.”
