Selection of Welsh Liberal Democrat Senedd Candidates for Sir Fynwy Torfaen
Dear Member,
Selecting Your Welsh Liberal Democrat Candidates for the Sir Fynwy Torfaen Senedd Constituency
We’re pleased to let you know that the Welsh Liberal Democrats have begun selecting our candidates for the Senedd election in Sir Fynwy Torfaen. This is a new constituency made up of the Torfaen and Monmouthshire Westminster seats.
Next year’s Senedd election will be the first held under a new proportional voting system. Each constituency will elect six Members of the Senedd using a ranked list system and, as a member in this area, you have the opportunity to help shape our list by deciding the order in which our candidates appear.
This information has already been sent to all members who may be eligible to vote by email on Friday 20th June or by post. Please check your spam folders in case it was delivered there. If you've not received either the email or letter please contact the Returning Officer by emailing helenabsalom@hotmail.com who can take steps to ensure you receive your ballot.
Meanwhile, below you'll find everything you need to take part in the selection.
Who Are the Candidates?
The following have put themselves forward for consideration (listed alphabetically):
You can download a manifesto from each candidate by clicking on their name above. They may also contact you directly during the campaign period.
Meet the Candidates – Hustings Event
You’re warmly invited to attend a hustings event where each candidate will speak and answer your questions. We have arranged two hustings events, one in person and one online via zoom. You are welcome to attend both hustings if you wish.
In person Hustings:
- Date & Time: 7:30pm, Wednesday 16th July. Please arrive from 7pm.
- Location: The Kings Head Hotel, 59-60 Cross Street, Abergavenny, NP7 5EU (NOT the Kings Arms Hotel).
Abergavenny was chosen because of public transport, with the railway station only 15 minutes walk from the venue and the bus station even closer. If you want a lift from the station, please contact Martin Sutherland (m.sutherland@hotmail.co.uk or 07593 265570) in plenty of time. There is also public car parking nearby.
Online Hustings:
- Date & Time: 7pm, Thursday 17th July.
- Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87063600819?pwd=s1d334Q3U93t1kIid4cqYuF8XwHVkl.1 The Meeting ID is 870 6360 0819 and the Passcode is 227121.
All members are welcome — whether you’ve been with us for years or have only just joined.
If you’d like to submit a question for the candidates, please send it, by at least 24 hours before the hustings, to:
- By Email: helenabsalom@hotmail.com.
- By Post: Helen Thomas (Returning Officer) 15 Nant Y Creyr, Llansamlet, Swansea, SA7 9GF.
Who Can Vote?
You’ll be eligible to vote in this selection if you live in the constituency and you were a member of the Liberal Democrats at any point between 2nd February and 2nd May this year, and remain a member on (or have rejoined by) 18th July.
If you need to renew your membership you can do so quickly and easily by visiting libdems.org.uk/renew.
Please let the Returning Officer know if you have moved and no-longer live within the constituency by emailing helenabsalom@hotmail.com. You can also contact the Returning Officer if you need to check your membership status.
How Voting Works
Ballots will be sent out in the week following the hustings — either by email or by post. Most members will vote online, but if you'd prefer a paper ballot, you can ask for one (details below).
You’ll be asked to rank the candidates in order of preference and the Single Transferable Vote system will be used to determine the order candidates appear on the list.
If your ballot hasn’t arrived by the end of July, please get in touch with Helen Thomas at helenabsalom@hotmail.com so we can help.
Prefer to Vote by Post?
If you'd rather vote by post, just let us know by Friday, 18th July. To request a postal ballot, please contact:
- By Email: helenabsalom@hotmail.com.
- By Post: Helen Thomas (Returning Officer) 15 Nant Y Creyr, Llansamlet, Swansea, SA7 9GF.
The Rules
The Selection process is strictly governed by Candidate Selection Rules of the Constitution of the Welsh Liberal Democrats.
Thank you for taking part in this important process. Your voice matters, and together we can select the best team to represent our values and priorities in the Senedd.
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
With best wishes,
Martin Sutherland
Chair, Selection Panel
Sir Fynwy Torfaen Senedd Constituency