Yahoo News General election 2024: Find out more about the candidates standing in Gower
There are seven candidates standing in the Gower constituency at General Election 2024 and if you want to find out more about who they are and what they stand for, read on. We have sent all the candidates a questionnaire asking them about themselves and their political priorities.
The Gower constituency has changed in the recent shakeup of the political map of Wales. The new-look constituency will include almost all the previous areas, as well as some of both Swansea West and Swansea East.
Gower has previously been interesting electorally with the Conservatives taking the seat in 2015 by just 27 votes. It has been held by Labour's Tonia Antoniazzi since 2017.
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. It is 90.8% of the old Gower constituency with 33.9% of Swansea West and 1% of Swansea East added.
READ MORE: What is my general election 2024 constituency - as 90% of areas hit by boundary changes
READ MORE: Who are the candidates where I live in the general election 2024
The election is taking place on Thursday, July 4 and 32 MPs will be elected to represent Wales.
Where does the constituency cover?
It includes the wards of Penclawdd, West Cross, Pennard, Mawr and Pontardulais.
You can also find your constituency by entering your postcode here:
What happened in the general election in 2019
Who is standing?
Tonia Antoniazzi (Labour)
Franck Ngoie Banza (Lib Dem)
Wayne Erasmus (Independent)
Chris Evans (Green Party)
Marc Rhys Jenkins (Conservatives)
Kieran Thomas Pritchard (Plaid Cymru)
Catrin Thomas (Reform UK)
The candidates
All candidates were all asked to answer the same questions, the responses received are all below:
Tonia Antoniazzi - Labour
It’s been a privilege to serve as the Member of Parliament for Gower since 2017. Before entering Parliament, I was a modern languages teacher in a comprehensive in Llanelli. In Parliament I’ve served as a Shadow Minister for Northern Ireland and have most recently been part of the Shadow Whips Team.
I live in Pontarddulais with my son Jac who is now studying at Cardiff Uni. In my younger days, I was honoured to be capped nine times for the Welsh Women’s Rugby team. I hung my rugby boots up a while ago, but still enjoy the odd run out for charity events. In my downtime I enjoy walking and playing tennis.
Name a policy you want to see become law if elected as an MP
Labour’s New Deal for working people includes a number of policies I want to see enacted. These include a ban on exploitative zero-hour contracts, a genuine living wage and ending the scandalous practice of fire and rehire. Labour is committed to bringing in legislation on the New Deal within 100 working days of government.
One of our Labour’s key commitments is to set up Great British energy – a publicly owned, clean power company to cut bills and boost energy security. My constituents, along with millions across the country, are suffering because of high energy bills. This is because we are dangerously dependent on importing oil and gas.
It’s vital that we introduce cleaner, homegrown power. We would fund this by introducing a windfall tax on the big gas and oil companies. Only then can we start the transition to cleaner power and lower energy bills.
What's the biggest issue facing Wales and what will you do to fix it?
The cost-of-living crisis is still having a huge impact. Fourteen years of Tory rule has left families worse off. Whether it’s energy bills, prices in shops or mortgage payments, Gower constituents are having to pay more. Labour’s missions to deliver economic stability and set up Great British Energy will ease the burden that has been brought on working people by the Conservatives.
Ultimately, I believe that the issues that Wales faces can only be addressed by two Labour governments - one in the Senedd and one in Westminster - working together to bring about the changes we need.
Who has been the best British Prime Minister and why?
Tony Blair. With the help of Gordon Brown as Chancellor, child poverty fell drastically. Sadly, we now have a new generation of children living in poverty. We need to shift focus back on giving children and young people opportunities to flourish in their communities. Only two Labour governments working together would provide this.
Marc Rhys Jenkins - Conservative
I'm Marc Jenkins and have had a diverse career, starting as an Olympic triathlete, which gave me a strong foundation in discipline and resilience. Alongside my wife, Helen, who is also an Olympian, we have dedicated our lives to sports and family. We have two young children who inspire me daily to work towards a better future for our community and country.
In addition to my sporting career, I have a deep commitment to community service. This led me to establish a charity focused on promoting health and well-being through sports, providing opportunities for young people to engage in physical activities and develop their potential. Our charity works to ensure that everyone, regardless of background, has the chance to experience the benefits of sports and an active lifestyle.
Despite my involvement in politics, I do not see myself as a typical politician; instead, I am driven by a desire to make a genuine difference in our society.
Name a policy you want to see become law if elected as an MP
If elected as an MP, I am committed to seeing a policy that restores integrity and honesty in our politics become law. This policy would enforce strict transparency measures and a rigorous adherence to the ministerial code, ensuring that decisions are always made in the best interest of the people, rather than for personal or political gain. I am entering politics to help this country and most importantly represent Gower.
By implementing these reforms, my goal is to rebuild trust in our political system, demonstrating a commitment to the values of transparency, accountability, and service to the community.
What's the biggest issue facing Wales and what will you do to fix it?
The biggest issue facing Wales today is the inadequate performance of our public services, particularly in healthcare and education. Under 25 years of Welsh Labour governance, these critical areas have consistently underperformed compared to the rest of the UK. If elected, I will advocate for comprehensive reforms from Westminster to address these shortcomings. While this is a devolved matter, there needs to be increased scrutiny and involvement to ensure a patient or student in Wales can expect the same level of service as England. By addressing these issues through legislative changes at the national level, I aim to improve the quality of life for all residents in Gower and across Wales.
Who has been the best British Prime Minister and why?
In my view, the best British Prime Minister has been Sir Winston Churchill. His leadership was instrumental in defending freedom and democracy against tyranny. As we mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day, it’s essential to remember Churchill’s unwavering resolve and inspirational leadership during one of the darkest times in our history. His ability to unite the nation and lead with courage and conviction provided a foundation for victory and peace. As we see war in Europe and increased conflicts around the world, we should draw inspiration from Churchill's example.
Catrin Thomas - Reform UK
Age – 57. Bio – I grew up largely in England but both my parents came from Llandudno, and I chose to study English Literature and American culture at Swansea University (with a sandwich year in Louisiana). I fell in love with Swansea and the Gower and stayed on for several years after gaining my degree. Among other jobs, I was PA to the Construction Manager of the Tawe Barrage.
I moved to London to build a career in publishing, and spent 12 years as an editor at the British Veterinary Association. I was also an NUJ trade union rep. My husband and I returned to Wales where, for five years, I launched and ran a food & drink magazine. However as my children grew older, I became increasingly concerned about their and our country’s future. I started running a free speech group in Cardiff, and so gravitated into politics.
Family – married, one daughter and one son, both in secondary comprehensive school. Hobbies – cooking, dancing, big dinners, Sunday roasts, Shakespeare.
Name a policy you want to see become law if elected as an MP
“Propose a Comprehensive Free Speech Bill.” If people cannot speak, debate, report and communicate issues and ideas, they will not have the information to make meaningful political choices. Attempts to crush debates or silence opponents, even when it appears that the moral ground to do so is unassailable, is a quick way to destroy democracy.
For this reason, we cannot create conditions in which some groups of people enjoy greater or lesser freedoms than others. Cancel culture, de-banking, rent-a-mob, and social media pile-ons are not the remedies to social ills. In fact, it is becoming clear that they actually fuel division, defensiveness, victimhood and resentment.
I do not want a segregated, suspicious society. If we want to be happy and free, we must all have an equal voice. The safest, most reliable way to ensure this is to enshrine it in law.
What's the biggest issue facing Wales and what will you do to fix it?
The NHS. Reform UK’s policy is to give frontline NHS and social care staff a three-year tax break. This will be a massive draw for new recruits, while giving existing staff good reason to stay in their posts.
I will also call for tax relief on private healthcare, for those who can afford it, to alleviate the pressure on the NHS. I feel that Sir Keir Starmer’s recent statement that he would always insist on using the NHS, despite his personal wealth, was not helpful but selfish.
The NHS waiting-times crisis in Wales extends to heartbreaking cases of preventable deaths and pointless sufferings which benefit no-one. To this end, I will also support all measures to replace administrative hospital posts with clinical jobs; starting with unnecessary roles such as diversity & equality officers – as I also believe strongly that the NHS is not a racist institution, and NHS staff do not need to be policed as such.
Who has been the best British Prime Minister and why?
With D-Day still in mind – Winston Churchill. His famously dogged determination to keep on going, alone if necessary, is the ultimate inspiration. I have always been struck, though, by an account of Churchill’s human side, in a private moment. He was surveying a ruined street after a night of bombing. A London woman – a child at the time – saw him from her bedroom window. What she saw amazed her, for men of that generation (like my grandfather) rarely or never cried. But that day, she said, Churchill gave way as he looked upon the rubble.
I believe this compassion gave him his underlying strength. In my experience, while we sometimes hesitate to stand up for ourselves (because we are all so polite!), when we see injustice or unfairness it can suddenly become very, very easy to fight for other people. And that is what I intend to do.
Wayne Erasmus - Independent
I joined the Merchant Navy in 1977 as a marine engineering cadet, leaving the service as Chief Engineer. During this time I was involved in the humanitarian relief of the Vietnamese boat people, caught the tail end of the Angolian civil war, saw action in the Iran-Iraq war and operated between HMS Tamar in Hong Kong and Chile during the Falklands war.
I was a consultant on the Greater Plutonio BP Project for the Angolan oil field, Working in HHI offshore construction yard in Ulsan Korea. Research engineer for alternative energies working between South Africa and Carmarthenshire.
Managing Director for Aerospace UK a finishing company for Lola cars, Cathay Pacific, Virgin Atlantic etc. MOD work on the Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carrier.
Retired in 2014 and won a case over speeding and as a result all traffic speed markings on the roads in Wales were changed as the lines were 3" too short. Campaigned for the safeguarding of grass roots football in Carmarthenshire.
Run a food bank since 2014 and was the busiest food bank in Swansea and Llanelli east area during the lock down. Been keeping bees for over 40 yrs. Enjoy family life and painting for pleasure.
Been elected to 4 Community Councils, Grovesend and Waungron CC, Gowerton CC, Ammanford TC, and Cwmamman TC.
Name a policy you want to see become law if elected as an MP
Change the Oath of elegance that all MP's take to involve that they 'must say the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth' . Currently it is only an oath to serve the monarch. To make the Law of Perjury mean something.
What's the biggest issue facing Wales and what will you do to fix it?
The biggest issue facing Wales is the Y Senedd, Parliament need to put it into special measures. And the people of Wales need an honest assembly that is fit for purpose.
Who has been the best British Prime Minister and why?
Lloyd George, Outstanding in steering the country during WWI.
