I live near Whitland with my husband and two young children, in a beautiful rural part of Carmarthenshire. Before moving here, we lived in Stackpole for almost a decade and it is my experiences and observations of living in West Wales that galvanized me into becoming involved in politics.

I have experienced first-hand the gradual erosion of services within the constituency; not as a politician but as a mother, wife and a worker. Like many of us I have been surprised, angered, inconvenienced or confused by not being able to access simple services or have straight forward issues dealt with.

Having to travel more than 20 miles to take my daughter (then 2 yrs old) for a single "stitch" to her ear was quite a shock; my husband being advised to not relocate a business to West Wales because of the lack of services and people was a real surprise; watching a friend needing dialysis have to travel 76 miles three times a week made me cross; listening to the pressures of the teachers at my daughter's local school worried me for our children's future. Trying to travel to places like London, Manchester, Doncaster and Bristol for work was frustrating because of the poor roads and non-existent public transport.

I believe that our constituency needs real people who can be effective at all levels and not career politicians who have had no real experience of the wider world. We need people who can listen, who have the experience and compassion to understand the issues and the determination and strength to invoke change.

These are some of the reasons why I decided to stand as your elected Assembly Member and why I believe and hope that I am making a difference. For many of us, the society we grew up in is very different from where we find ourselves now. There is a great deal of uncertainty and many wonder and worry for the future

Advances in technology, hospital care, employment and housing are no bad thing, but to benefit from these effectively the delivery of these services to the community must take into account the needs, aspirations and values of all of us.

Why has it become so time consuming and difficult to deal with the never-ending red tape? Where have all the local services gone? Where can I get local employment? These are questions I am constantly asked.

I have been described as "no shrinking violet" and I am quite prepared to stand up and fight for what is fair and reasonable within our constituency. I want to make sure that our children can grow up in a safe and secure environment and have healthy futures. I want to make sure that our elderly are cherished and respected and that there are jobs and opportunities to keep people in west Wales and attract people to west Wales.

I believe we need to think not just in terms of frontline services but about what we need socially, spiritually and economically.

Real people can effect real change and that is what I hope I am doing for the people of Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire.

 

Angela Burns AM

11 Market Square,

Narberth,

Pembrokeshire,

SA67 7AU

Tel: 01834 869387

 

National Assembly for Wales,

Cardiff Bay,

CF99 1NA

Tel: 02920 898384

Fax: 02920 898974

 

Email:angela.burns@wales.gov.uk

Web: www.angelaburnsam.com