NICK RAMSAY CONSERVATIVE

NICK Ramsay said, "Monmouthshire County Council is grossly underfunded by the Welsh Assembly Government. We receive the lowest amount of money  per head of any authority in Wales. I want to see a new funding formula that takes into account the problems of delivering services over a large rural area. This new approach will help keep Council Tax down.

"I am the only candidate who is committed to protecting the NHS budget in line with inflation.

"If re-elected, I will give particular priority to hospices and stroke units - to give stroke victims the best chance of recovery. Our local hospitals, Nevill Hall, and Chepstow Community Hospital both need more support.

"My party has also promised to invest an additional £10 million in the Welsh Ambulance Service to ensure that at least 75 per cent of ambulances respond to category A emergency calls within eight minutes.

We will also invest an additional £10 million in providing cancer treatments, specifically a new cancer drugs fund like they have in England.

"In addition, our Party will introduce an Armed Forces' Card to acknowledge the hard work and determination of ex-servicemen. This card will give benefits such as free bus travel and NHS priority care. I am also committed to boosting business and economic growth in Monmouthshire and Wales. I am the only candidate committed to freezing the Severn Bridge tolls for cars for the next four years. 

I am also calling for the abolition of  business rates for all small businesses, helping them to expand and create new jobs and invest for the future." 

He continued, "Our rural areas need far more support and I want to give communities the opportunity to take over the running of local amenities including village halls, community centre, pubs and post offices.

"We need a better deal for farmers, and increased funding to promote Welsh food and drink  and local success stories like the Abergavenny Food Festival.

MARK WHITCUTT LABOUR

In this election, there are fundamental differences between myself and others who are standing.

We have different views on how to revive the economy – I don't favour cutting for the sake of it, but investing in people to balance the books. I'm supporting the Welsh jobs fund, aimed at creating 4,000 new jobs over the lifetime of the Assembly. That's 4,000 extra people paying tax rather than receiving benefits, with positive impact for the economy.

It's up to politicians to help the economy grow and lead us out of the downturn. For instance, Labour has made real reductions in business rates. We have cut tax on small businesses while our opponents are promising something they know they cannot deliver. But I want to go further. I want to see small but effective changes that will make a big difference. I want to see car park charges in the Monmouth Constituency cut to encourage shoppers into our town centres. I want to see help for people starting their own businesses. I want to see the people of Wales in jobs.

I'm standing on a pledge to increase apprenticeships and training for young people. If Wales is to prosper, we need to help our young people to gain skills, equipping them for a full and active life. I believe in education, community and healthy families.

That's why our manifesto pledges more investment in schools and extra access to GP surgeries. We must also protect our students from tuition fee rises and safeguard EMA.

Labour is committed to giving children in Wales the best possible start. Flying Start is one of our proudest achievements, while our record on investment in schools is something to be proud of. From half a million pounds to renovate Croesyceiliog Comprehensive to the completely new Deri View Primary in Abergavenny, we have shown our commitment to children time and again.

If I'm elected to serve Monmouth, I will push for even more investment, like that which has already regenerated the area. More than anything, I want to help the people of the area prosper and grow. That is why I'm standing for election in the Monmouth constituency.

JANET ELLARD LIBERAL

DEMOCRAT

Janet Ellard was born in South-East England but has now been living in Monmouthshire for nearly 30 years. She originally moved to the area to teach in a local comprehensive school and taught languages in a variety of schools as well as in further education. She has two adult children currently at university and lists education as one of the issues that concerns her most.

Janet loves living in Monmouthshire, with its beautiful countryside and attractive small towns and believes it's important to preserve all the qualities that make it such an attractive area in which to live.

However, she also believes that young people and people from all backgrounds have a right to live here and so is in favour of increasing access to housing for people who can't afford Monmouthshire prices.

She said, "The average house price in Monmouthshire is far higher than in neighbouring areas in Wales and I want to ensure that young people, families and people on lower incomes can find an affordable home of a good standard within the county.

"As a border county, Monmouthshire is in some ways quite different from other counties that more easily feel themselves to be Welsh. Monmouthshire residents have concerns that are quite different from those of for example Cardiff, Carmarthenshire or Gwynedd. This is why Monmouthshire needs a representative who will speak up for its particular concerns in the Assembly. "

For some years, Janet was the main carer for an elderly relative and she is passionate about fighting for easier access for older or disabled people to a decent standard of care.

For the last four years, Janet has been working for a Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for South Wales East as a caseworker, dealing with all sorts of issues from benefits to the NHS to public transport. She also works as a media analyst, which has given her insight into international businesses such as the pharmaceutical industry, the food industry and banking.

In her leisure time, Janet enjoys walking, swimming, learning languages and European travel. She loves music of many different kinds, enjoys singing and belongs to a local choral society. She is also an active member of her local Methodist church.

FIONA CROSS PLAID CYMRU

Fiona Cross was raised in Torfaen and was elected as a Plaid Cymru County Councillor in 2008. She's the youngest County Councillor in Gwent and is a Scrutiny Chair in Torfaen Council. Fiona is heavily involved in her local community as a Community Hall Chairman and a governor for two schools. She is very passionate about the environment and sustainability and has been driving this within her own council.

She said, "We are lucky in Wales we have vast amounts of renewable energy sources, but we are not able to take full advantage of them. The Welsh Government should be able to make decisions about energy projects over 50 megawatts. In Wales we are unable to make these decisions whether nuclear or renewable over 50 megawatts as this power is held with the Westminster Government. Plaid in government will look into setting up a national not-for-profit public company Gwyrdd Cymru for renewable energy generation for Wales which will also create employment.

"Whether it's going to the library, supporting the local rugby club or taking our children to swimming lessons, we believe in supporting the community and leisure facilities which enrich our lives. Sometimes we look but we don't see the beautiful country in which we live such as our parks, our mountains, beaches and castles – we may take them for granted but like you we want to protect them for future generations to enjoy and explore."

Fiona believes Monmouthshire constituency needs better public transport for commuters and that we need to consider reopening existing old railways. Plaid is committed to a regulating bus services to make sure that companies provide services where they are needed such as Little Mill and Usk and the link between Chepstow and Monmouth

"We need better services for commuters and more practical bus stops at Chepstow and Abergavenny Our communities need more affordable housing. Our small businesses and suppliers need a level playing field so that they can compete against the larger retail chains and our town centres need to be at the heart of our communities. Our pensioners and military veterans need a better deal."

• THE English Democrats candidate is Steve Uncles of Wilmington, Kent. They have called their campaign Letting Monmouthshire Decide but The Chronicle has been unable to contact anyone from the party for a profile and picture of their candidate.