Nick Thomas-Symonds is the Labour candidate for Torfaen in the 2024 general election.
He explains why he is standing and why he thinks you should vote for him.
Nick said: “I love Torfaen – it’s the place I’m proud to have grown up and have lived throughout my life. We have fantastic businesses, strong communities, a skilled workforce and so many other reasons to be optimistic for the future, as well as being proud of our past.
“Yet I know how hard things are for people right now. The cost of living crisis has had devastating impacts on family finances; mortgages and rents increasing, the weekly shop ever more expensive and people anxiously opening energy bills, whilst the Conservative Government in Westminster has starved our public services of investment for 14 years.
“It doesn’t have to be like this. At long last, this General Election on 4 July, gives us the chance to vote for change, after 14 years of Conservative government in Westminster: from the lockdown parties, to the disastrous Liz Truss Budget, and now a Prime Minister totally out of touch with the lives of people in Torfaen.
“We can turn the page on the chaos, to start rebuilding Britain and restoring hope.
“I am proud that the Labour Party is setting out a vision to deliver that change. We have an ambitious and fully-funded plan to deliver. It will mean two Labour governments, in Cardiff and Westminster – determined to improve the lives of working people in communities like ours.
“Labour has a clear plan to start delivering in that change, and it starts with six clear first steps.
“We will deliver economic stability, with tough spending rules, so we can grow our economy and keep taxes, inflation and mortgages as low as possible. We will invest in the NHS, to cut waiting lists, by cracking down on tax avoidance and non-dom loopholes.
“Through ending private schools’ tax breaks, we will invest in more teachers in Wales, to drive up attainment.
“We will crack down on anti-social behaviour by investing in more neighbourhood police. Labour will also establish a Border Security Command, to smash the criminal gangs.
“A Labour government would switch on Great British Energy, a new publicly-owned power company to bring down bills and invest in the jobs of the future, helping harness the potential for growth in areas like offshore wind here in Wales.
“There are also longstanding injustices in communities like ours we need to help address. I’m proud that we have committed to end the injustice of the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme.
“It has been the honour of my life to serve as the MP for Torfaen since 2015 a I’ve campaigned hard locally and in Westminster to make a difference on the things that matter – like changing the law to give patients better access to life saving drugs, or delivering a campaign for over £70 million for domestic abuse services. I’ve always stood up for workers rights, in the face of Tory attacks.
“However, I have hated having to work in opposition, outside government and unable to make the big changes we know communities like ours need. That’s why I am asking for your support at this election – as we look to rebuild Britain.”
There are eight candidates standing for Torfaen in the 2024 General Election.