David was asked to answer this question- You should vote for me in the Llanyrafon election because– and this is his answer.

Hello, my name is David Williams, and if you live in the Lllanyrafon ward I would very much like you to vote for me in the local elections on 5th May. I have a track record of working with others to make a difference in people’s lives – and want to put this to good use as a Labour member of Torfaen County Borough Council. 

I have served as a trade union representative in both local government and the civil service, standing up for colleagues to seek fairness and justice in the workplace. Having now retired from paid work I am keen to continue to serve and support others as I did in my working life.

Since 2000 I have been an active member of Blaen Bran community woodland (BBCW) in Upper Cwmbran, having served as secretary and chair on different occasions. In this capacity I have been an active member of the Torfaen Local Action Group for the Rural Development Plan.  

I am a Board member of Llais y Goedwig, the network for community woodlands in Wales, helping connect and support groups across the country, and also representing the organisation Llais y Goedwig within the Wales Environment Link (the umbrella for environmental organisations across the whole of Wales).

I’m really excited that Torfaen Labour has put its aspiration for a ‘greener, cleaner, more active Torfaen’ at the heart of the 2022 manifesto and I am particularly pleased with our pledge to invest in policies promoting environmental protection and greater sustainability. 

Giving our children the best possible start in life is vital, and so I have been proud to serve as a school governor at St David’s RC Primary school (for 8 years) and at Pontnewydd Primary school (for 12). If elected, I will work along with my Labour colleagues to guarantee investment in vital children’s, education and youth services, building upon Torfaen’s cutting-edge play services and promoting the new post-16 centre in Cwmbran. 

I have not lived in Llanyravon for that long – having moved to the area from West Pontnewydd in May 2020. I am, however, a proud local allotment holder! 

Through my working career the principles of fairness, equity and justice were key for me. What I can offer is a willingness to listen, to learn and to work with others.  If we want to go fast, we go alone – but if we want to go far, we work together.

Click here to read a full list of all the candidates standing in the Torfaen County Borough Council elections on Thursday 5 May 2022.