A leading Monmouthshire County councillor is among those who have topped the Welsh Conservatives regional list for the Welsh Assembly elections in May next year

Votes have been counted in the ballot for South Wales East with Councillor Geoff Burrows - who represents Mitchel Troy and is the authority’s cabinet Member for social care, safeguarding and health - coming in at number four.

Under the assembly set up twenty of the 60 members are elected on the basis of regional lists which offer a form of proportional representation, with four seats available in each of five regions.

Earlier this year it was revealed that two sitting members - Mohammad Asgar and William Graham would not be automatically re-selected to fight the forthcoming election and would have to face an open ballot to become the top candidates in the regional list.

For Mr Asghar - who famously defected to the Tory party from Plaid Cymru - this ended in celebrations this week as it was announced he had topped the list, while Mr Graham finished outside the top four meaning he is effectively de-selected.

The top four ranked candidates for the South Wales East region are as follows:

Mohammad Asghar

Mr Asghar represents South Wales East in the Welsh Assembly and is Shadow Minister for Equalities and Sport. Developing a strong economy is a key priority for him and he wants to see a drastic overhaul of the system of financial support for business. A supporter of the M4 relief road and rail electrification, Mr Asghar will be campaigning for action to regenerate the region’s high streets. Mohammad believes Welsh educational standards are unacceptable and he fully supports calls for a Cancer Drugs Fund in Wales. A keen sports fan, Mohammad has campaigned tirelessly for Wales to have its own 20/20 cricket team.

Speaking after the count he said, “I am delighted with the result. I will be campaigning hard and I will ensure that the people of South Wales East have a strong voice to speak up for them.”

Two Laura Anne Jones

Ms Jones represented South Wales East in the Welsh Assembly between 2003 and 2007. She has extensive experience of campaigning, standing as a candidate in Islwyn in the General Election and achieving the best ever Conservative result there. She runs a home-based Network Marketing company and as a businesswoman, one of her priorities would be to make South Wales East an exciting place to work and live. As a single-mother, Ms Jones has an understanding of the struggles facing parents, and would focus on helping them get back into work. As a farmer’s daughter, Laura Anne Jones is also keen to make sure more is done to support Welsh agriculture.

Chris Butler

Chris has in-depth political experience having been a Conservative MP for Warrington South between 1987 and 1992. He was also a special adviser to the Secretary of State for Wales and a Wales Euro candidate in 1999.

Chris’s priorities include improving the delivery of the NHS and education in Wales after years of mismanagement. Chris will be campaigning to make Wales a beacon of economic success and back further roll-out of superfast broadband in rural areas. Chris also wants to see a council tax freeze in Wales.

Geoffrey Burrows

Mr Burrows has been a Conservative member of Monmouthshire County Council for the Mitchel Troy Ward since 2004. He joined the Cabinet in 2011 with the portfolio of Social Care, Safeguarding and Health. Fair funding for local authorities is one of his main priorities – along with resisting Welsh Labour government attempts to merge local councils.

Over the years, he has raised money for charity by running marathons. He runs a small brokerage and has a part-time job as a chimney sweep!