Candidates pitch for votes

Ynys Môn
 
Electorate: 50,551 (December 2018)
Main towns/villages: Holyhead, Llangefni, Beaumaris, Amlwch, Menai Bridge.

Biggest employers: Tourism, agriculture, public sector.
Big issues: Employment, rural affairs, Welsh language, school reorganisation, nuclear power.
2017 result

Albert Owen
Labour
15,643
41.9

Tomos Davies
Conservative
10,384
27.8

Ieuan Wyn Jones
Plaid Cymru
10,237
27.4

James Turner
UKIP
624
1.7

Sarah Jackson
Liberal Democrat
479
1.3

Constituency guide
Covering Holy Island and Anglesey, Ynys Môn has become a perpetual seat to watch on every election night due to its marginal status and ability to ride roughshod over national trends – truly an island in both a geographical and political sense.
Despite some heavier industry, mainly within the towns of Holyhead and Llangefni, this is a largely rural constituency containing several Welsh speaking communities inland and some more Anglicised coastal communities which are reliant on tourism.
Held by Labour’s Albert Owen since 2001, his decision to retire will encourage opposition parties due to the island’s historic tendency to loyally back incumbent candidates – but to also change political colours when they stand down.
Previously held by both the Conservatives and Plaid Cymru – who also hold the seat in Cardiff Bay and lead the coalition running the local authority – both parties will fancy their chances despite failing to topple Labour in four successive elections.
But like many areas across the country, individual attitudes and the continued flux over Brexit may test historic party loyalty on an island that narrowly backed leaving the European Union – with both the remain and leave votes set to be split.
Economic inactivity remains an issue of concern on the island which, despite the divisive nature of nuclear power, has not been helped by the suspension of the multi-billion pound Wylfa Newydd project which was expected to create a thousand well-paid jobs once up and running.
 
 
Candidates:
Aled ap Dafydd, Plaid Cymru
“With Westminster in chaos, Ynys Môn is in need of a strong, dynamic voice in Parliament like never before.
“As an experienced broadcaster, I would relish the opportunity to be that voice, challenging the ‘born to rule’ bullies of the Bullingdon club who know little and care less about Anglesey.
“This election is taking place in a period in which our place in the world is more uncertain than ever.

“The climate emergency threatens the very foundations of human society – with declining biodiversity, polluted air and accelerating climate crisis, the time to act is now.

“That’s why Plaid Cymru is putting climate justice at the heart of our election campaign – committing to a Green Jobs Revolution which will ensure that Wales makes the transition to becoming 100% self-sufficient in renewable energy by 2030.

“But the election has been precipitated by one thing – the Brexit crisis. As a passionate European I will fight tooth and nail against the Tories’ destructive Brexit and for giving you the people a final say.”
 
Virginia Crosbie, Conservative
“I’m committed to honouring the referendum result and delivering Brexit, once and for all. Plaid Cymru want to ignore your vote and Labour want you to change your mind. The Brexit Party can’t form a Government.
“For too long Ynys Môn has been taken for granted by Labour and Plaid Cymru.
“From day one as your MP, I’ll fight hard to bring jobs, investment and tourism to this beautiful part of the country – unleashing the potential of everyone in Anglesey.
“I will champion Ynys Môn as the best place to invest – securing more jobs for our residents.
“My first duty is to stand up for the interests of Anglesey and its residents in Parliament. My priority will be to preserve the unique character, heritage and rural nature of this beautiful island.
“I will stand up for all communities, fight to protect our precious environment and champion all our local industries – from farming to tourism – enabling them to thrive.”
 
Helen Jenner, Brexit Party
“I’m not a career politician. I’m a local girl, a secondary school teacher and mother of two who is fed up of the political class taking the electorate for fools.

“This is our island, but when it comes to wind farms and rural school closures, our voice is ignored, just like our vote to leave the EU has been ignored for over three years.

“This simply isn’t good enough, and we deserve so much better than this.

“If I am elected to parliament to serve the people of my home seat, Ynys Môn, not only will I fight for a clean-break Brexit, but I also promise to stand up for the issues that matter to us as a community, and to play a leading part in the movement to heal our democracy and Change Politics for Good.”

Mary Roberts, Labour
“I was born and raised on Anglesey and feel passionately about the future of our Island. Like many people, I had to move for work, and this has made me more determined to ensure that the Island is somewhere young people can stay to live and work.
“I have dedicated my career to campaigning for change. I have led social justice and environmental campaigns at the National Federation of Women’s Institutes, and worked at a leading anti-poverty charity focusing on solutions to in-work poverty.
“Politics needs to work for people, and at present that’s not happening. I have witnessed this first-hand through my campaign work.
“I have become increasingly frustrated about this and, ultimately, I want to make a real difference to the way politics and policies are delivered in our country.
“I genuinely care about issues that affect people on Ynys Môn and this is what I will fight for as MP.”

By Gareth Williams – Local Democracy Reporter