What inclined you to stand for the Green Party?
I’m standing to be a paper candidate for the Cathays area; it is important that the Green Party have some sort of representation so people, especially students, know who they are and that they are active.
What do you offer as a younger candidate that an older candidate would not?
I think as a younger candidate, particularly as a student, I offer, in a student-populated area, more interaction and greater empathy for student problems that need sorting out.
Do you think students will be more attracted to you as a ‘youthful figure’ and therefore more inclined to vote?
I’d like to think so… I think a lot of students aren’t aware of the council elections and are also not well informed of what their councillors can actually do for them.
I think maybe if they were, and there was a student councillor, or someone of that age, they would be more likely to approach them than approach someone who lived in a posh, semi-detached house.
What would you offer, for students in particular, if you were voted in?
If I was elected councillor, I’d be keen to address the recycling within the Cathays area. Obviously, as a Green Party Candidate,
I have a lot of green interests, particularly those which focus around students. The cycling facilities in Cardiff are nowhere near up to scratch, so I would look at increasing Cycle Lanes and places to put your bikes, as a councillor I would try to push these up the Council agenda.
Also I am keen in making sure that Green Spaces are preserved. There has been a campaign recently around Bute Park and the fact that they want to build through-roads within it, I would do what I could to ensure that such developments would not take place in those sort of areas.
Additionally, as a councillor, I would make sure that I respond accordingly to what constituents ask of me, particularly if students have problems with landlords and housing, then hopefully I’d be able to help out with these issues.
How important do you think age is in the game of politics?
It all depends on who’s voting. I guess I could be considered as inexperienced, but, I don’t think, particularly in councils, that it is so much about experience.
It is more about how hard you are willing to work for your constituents and how well you relate to the people you are working for.
Is there anything you would like to add to encourage students to, not only to vote, but vote for you?
I would encourage students just to vote, generally, in the council elections because they do have an effect on the area that you live in, particularly if you get to know your councillors.
I think they are an under-used resource; do get in touch with them, as they do respond, they are basically just waiting for people to inform them of what is wrong. I think it is important that good people are elected.
