Yahoo News General election 2024: The candidates standing in Bridgend
The Bridgend constituency will get a new MP in the next general election as Jamie Wallis, the Conservative who was elected in 2019, has said he will not stand in Wales again. The seat changed from Labour to Conservative at the last election.
The boundaries of all but one Welsh seat have changed ahead of the 2024 election, only Ynys Mon (the island of Anglesey) remains untouched, all others have seen changes which could impact the results on election night. You can read the background to the changes here.
Instead of 40 constituencies, there are now 32 in Wales and the idea behind it is to make all Westminster constituencies the same size. Using figures from electoral calculus, we can see how this constituency is changing. The Bridgend constituency will be 82.8% of the existing Bridgend constituency and 31.8% of Ogmore, a Labour held seat.
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The election is taking place on Thursday, July 4 and 32 MPs will be elected to represent Wales.
Where does the constituency cover?
This constituency includes Bryncoch, Ynysawdre, Morfa, Pendre, Sarn, Newton and Rest Bay.
You can see the full map here:
You can also find your constituency by entering your postcode here:
What happened in the general election in 2019?
Who is standing?
Anita Boateng (Conservatives)
Iolo Caudy (Plaid Cymru)
Debra Ann Cooper (Green Party)
Chris Elmore (Labour)
Mark John (Independent)
Caroline Jones (Reform UK)
The candidates
All candidates are being asked the same questions, and their answers will be added here once received.
Debra Ann Cooper - Green Party
Name a policy you want to see become law if elected as an MP
In terms of law it depends on how broad you wish that answer to be. Ecocide I would like to see as a criminal offence. I would like to see the House of Lords pass Zane's Law. (The child who died when a toxic gas entered his house during a flood believed to be from a landfill site).
River and sea pollution are huge concerns so it is more that I wish by all means available to facilitate water control measures which capture rainwater and release it/create and protect soak away zones into suitable areas. Then fully fund upgrades to sewage processing.
What's the biggest issue facing Wales and what will you do to fix it?
The biggest issue is water. It could be our greatest energy resource with the correct strategy, technology and investment. If kept clean our rivers and seas are a source of recreation to for humans and a thriving habitat for our wildlife. As rainfall, along with tidal surges are becoming a less predictable feature, due to climate change then we have to be proactive in managing our water. The plumbing and pipework for the control of sewage is in need of an intelligent and carefully implemented UK wide upgrade.
Who has been the best British Prime Minister and why?
The greatest prime minister that never was is John Smith. Had he not collapsed and died in Parliament he would have been the PM instead on Tony Blair. His loss was a personal tragedy for his family and tragedy for the UK. I do not believe the wars that Tony Blair triggered would have happened had John Smith taken his rightful place as PM.
Iolo Caudy - Plaid Cymru
I am 29 years old and was born at the Princess of Wales Hospital in Bridgend, where my family has lived for at least two generations, and where I have spent my entire life. After attending Bryntirion Comprehensive School, I began studying medicine at cardiff-university>Cardiff University. However, my father's sudden passing led me to reassess my life and leave medicine, primarily due to my disillusionment with the NHS's poor management. Recently, I completed a part-time Mechanical Engineering degree while working in the building services industry. During this period, my younger brother tragically passed away at age 20 from a mental health-related accidental overdose. We often discussed politics and envisioned the changes we could make if in government. His untimely death inspired me to become more actively involved in politics to promote social change, which was my primary motivation for running for council in Pen-Y-Fai. Since then, my aunt's passing from abdominal cancer has further fuelled my determination to improve society for everyone.
Name a policy you want to see become law if elected as an MP
There are several issues, but the foremost one for me would be to criminalise politicians knowingly lying or misleading the public. We don't tolerate dishonesty from doctors, nurses, lawyers, or teachers, so why is it societally expected for politicians? The level of trust in politicians has plummeted to the point where people are becoming disillusioned with the entire system. It's crucial to take steps to rebuild trust and confidence in our government officials.
What's the biggest issue facing Wales and what will you do to fix it?
I believe that Wales has been underfunded and neglected. I would prioritise enhancing the Health and Well-being of Wales and its people through improvements such as:
• Making sure the NHS is a service that aims to keeping people healthy and prevent illness not just treating illnesses,
• Implementing a living wage for apprenticeships and easing the financial burden on students.
• Guaranteeing a real working wage so that people can feel stable on their income,
• Moving towards adopting a 4-day work week to boost productivity and morale.
• Ensuring the housing supply adequately meets community needs.
• Developing our energy sector by establishing a national energy service for Wales
• Ensuring that we protect our environment, whist protecting and maintain our rural land and communities.
Who has been the best British Prime Minister and why?
I would have to say Clement Attlee. His Health Minister, Aneurin Bevan, inspired by the Tredegar Medical Aid Society in his hometown in South Wales, fought tirelessly to establish the National Health Service, ensuring free medical care at the point of need across the UK, regardless of wealth. In my opinion, this is one of the greatest achievements of any prime minister. Additionally, Attlee's implementation of numerous social reforms to improve the quality of life for the working class is highly commendable.
Chris Elmore - Labour
I’m Chris Elmore and I’m standing as the Welsh Labour Parliamentary Candidate for Bridgend and Porthcawl and since 2016 I have served as the Member of Parliament for Ogmore. I’ve recently hit the ripe old age of 40 in December last year! Bridgend is very much home as its where my wife and I are bringing up our three-year-old, who is growing up far too fast. I’ve been working in politics, in one shape or form for 20 years now – whether that be as an elected councillor and cabinet member in the Vale of Glamorgan, working in Public Affairs or now as a Member of Parliament. In what feels like a lifetime ago I was also a trainee butcher. My garden is very much my slice of paradise that I look forward to each weekend when I’m back from Parliament – it’s somewhere where I can switch off from the political noise.
Name a policy you want to see become law if elected as an MP
Employment and paternity rights are areas of policy that I have been passionate about for years and I was lucky enough to make a meaningful change through my Private Member’s Bill this year. My Bill, the Paternity Leave (Bereavement) Bill, ensures that the surviving partner has the right to take leave from day one if the mother of the child dies during pregnancy or in childbirth with a leave entitlement of up to 52 weeks. It also allows for a leave provision in situations where the child also dies, meaning that the surviving partner can stay on paternity leave for a period of time. As a father and as husband I genuinely couldn’t think of a worse situation to be in, and I am pleased that my Bill will allow people the time they need to grieve and to plan for the future.
What's the biggest issue facing Wales and what will you do to fix it?
Undoubtedly the single biggest issue facing communities across Wales, and indeed the United Kingdom as a whole, is the cost-of-living crisis. With sky-high energy costs, stagnant wages and the worst living standards in more than 50 years – residents are angry and frustrated with 14 years of Tory austerity. I have had constituency surgeries where nurses tell me they’re turning to foodbanks and pensioners who have been forced to just heat one room during winter because energy bills are too high.
Hard-working people shouldn’t have to worry about affording the basics such as heating and eating. A Labour Government in Wales working with a UK Labour Government in Westminster will be able to bring down living costs through the establishment of GB Energy which will cut energy bills, create jobs and contribute to a greener economy.
Who has been the best British Prime Minister and why?
For me, the best Prime Minister we have had has to be Clement Atlee – he truly was one of the most transformational and consequential leaders of the 20th century. You have to cast your mind back to the country he inherited in 1945; a country ravaged by war, left with crumbling infrastructure and a generation lost in conflict.
Without Atlee’s Labour Government we wouldn't have had the National Health Service, nor would we have had social security without the introduction of the National Insurance Act (1946). Labour Governments are at their best when they are at the most transformational and the 1945-51 Atlee administration didn’t just build back a war-torn country it set in motion policies and institutions that would stand the test of time and benefit generations thereafter. Under Keir Starmer, we’ll have another transformational Labour Government to end the pain of 14 years of the Tories.
