Paul Mason for Mid & South Pembrokeshire

 

I’m Paul Mason and I’m asking you to support me as Labour’s next parliamentary candidate for Mid & South Pembrokeshire/Canol a De Sir Benfro.

The person selected has one job: to beat the Tories. And with your help, I can do that.

Fighting injustice
As a journalist I’ve spent my life, holding powerful people to account: asking tough questions, sometimes in challenging situations.

As an activist I’ve spent decades fighting for social justice – from the miners’ strike to today’s cost of living struggles.

In my job as economics editor at the BBC and Channel Four News I saw what we are up against: the interests of the rich are strongly represented in our system – and the interests of the rest of us are not.

Affordable homes

My #1 priority will be affordable homes for local people. That needs a combined effort from the county council, the Welsh Government and Westminster. My job will be to fight for a bigger block grant for Wales; more generous settlements for local government; planning reform to speed up housebuilding and rent controls. I support the Welsh government’s council tax hike on second homes and want to see councils empowered to stop new-build homes being turned into holiday lets.

Child poverty stands at 29% in Pembrokeshire – the highest ever. The rising costs of transport, food and fuel are causing misery. The shortage of homes for local people is acute. So are the impacts of climate change.

So we have to win here. And that means listening to people from all walks of life; and building a grassroots coalition for real change.

Strong voice for Pembrokeshire
In the next parliament, with Labour in power, it’s vital that Pembrokeshire is represented by a strong Labour voice. With decades experience as a business journalist, I know how to fight for the investment needed; and I know how to make sure the voices of coastal, farming and oil & gas communities are heard, loud and clear.

My promise to the people of Pembrokeshire is:

– I will be visible and available, both as a candidate and MP

– I will fight for every penny of investment I can get into the local economy, so that young people have decent jobs, affordable homes, skills and transport links

– I will fight for Wales to get a bigger share of funding from Westminster

– I will promote Pembrokeshire as a place to invest, work and thrive – making this a global centre for floating offshore wind

– I will defend Withybush Hospital as a site for acute healthcare and A&E

– I will listen to farmers as they co-design the new sustainable farming scheme

– I will promote the Welsh language and Welsh culture

My links to Pembrokeshire go back nearly thirty years. So I know Pembrokeshire deserves better than what the Tories have delivered – and how much potential there is if we just start investing in the jobs, homes and public services working people need.

It would be a privilege to serve this place and its people. There’s massive potential to be unlocked: the Celtic Freeport could make Pembrokeshire a global leader in floating offshore wind – but we need an MP who’s prepared to fight to ensure local communities to see the benefits.

Full-time campaigner
If selected I am ready to start campaigning for Labour here full time.

If elected I will work with politicians and voters from all parties to make sure Pembrokeshire’s voice is heard.

I’ll never take a second job. I will not accept any donations from outside companies or interests.

I’ll base my support team here in Pembrokeshire, not at Westminster and I will aim to appoint at least one fully bilingual Welsh speaking staff member.

If you want to help my campaign, or have a question, or an idea for what Labour’s next MP should prioritise, please get in touch via this link. Good luck to all the other candidates.

What happens next?
I have to do an interview with the party. If I get on the long-list I need Labour Party branches and affiliated trade unions and societies to nominate me, in order to get on a short list. After that there’s a meeting and Labour members get to pick a candidate from the short list.

What are the new constituency boundaries?
The new constituency merges part of Preseli with part of Carmarthen West & Pembrokeshire South. The Tories will lose one MP. Let’s make sure they lose both. Check out the new constituency map here. If you’re a Labour member you should get an email informing you whether you are eligible to vote.