Plaid Cymru’s Dafydd Trystan Davies is recording every step of his campaign to become the first Plaid Cymru AM for the Cynon Valley.
The Aberdare-born development manager for Welsh-medium higher education is carrying a pedometer as he leaflets and canvasses people in the constituency ahead of the election on May 5.
Dr Davies is no stranger to exercise as he regularly takes part in the Nos Galan race in Mountain Ash and has completed the gruelling Snowdon marathon. He is expected to clock-up more than 150,000 steps on the campaign trail and Plaid Cymru supporters have taken to guessing what the final amount may be.
He said: “I have been involved in countless elections campaigns in the valleys, whether as a candidate or helping out party colleagues. During each and every campaign I try and cover as many miles as possible so that our positive messages for the future of Wales reach every resident.
“This will be the first time I have recorded my every step and it will be interesting to see just how far I have walked come the night of the election.
“In the Cynon Valley campaign I aim to cover every bit of ground between Cilfynydd and Glyncoch in the south to Rhigos and Penderyn in the north. People need to know there is an alternative to the tired and complacent policies of Labour.
“In Plaid Cymru we are pushing for improved public transport with the electrification of our Valleys lines and the re-opening of old railway routes, for example between Hirwaun and Aberdare, which has recently been confirmed by Plaid in Government.
“We also want to transform our economy so that support is given to indigenous companies to get off the ground. Of course, any successful economy is backed up with a strong education system and at the moment standards are too low.
“Plaid Cymru has ambitious plans to eliminate illiteracy and innumeracy and with the support of the electorate in the Welsh elections in May we can move closer to achieving our aims.”
