John Davies

Candidate for Gower constituency and South Wales West region (no. 3)

Tell us about yourself

I was born and raised in central Swansea and lives in Penclawdd, Gower and am married with four children. I’ve operated two businesses for 32 years, creating more than 4500 jobs in Wales and I’m the founder of the party’s soup run for the homeless in Swansea city.

What is the most important thing you think the Senedd should do in the next five years?

2021 is a pivotal year for Wales. We need an urgent debate on our future, and I want to be part of it.

Wales has suffered from decades of underinvestment from Westminster, and a total lack of good governance from Labour administrations in Cardiff. Despite having similar GDP per-head as Spain and Portugal we are the poorest nation in northern Europe. We now only earn £1 in Wales whereas our counterparts in Eire earn £2.75. There is something really wrong.

Our children’s futures are stunted, their dreams unfulfilled. Real poverty exists - communities suffer.

Brexit and the failing UK response to COVID-19, coupled with climate change, make Wales’ future precarious - both economically and socially. But it does not need to be like this. I want to be at the forefront of a progressive government that will lead Wales forward to be an equal partner with all our north European counterparts, such as Eire, Denmark, or even Finland (all of which are wealthier than the UK per person).

A green, successful economy will create vibrant, healthy communities. This is within our grasp, when the private and public sector work together for the benefit of all.

I will fight tooth and nail to ensure our children’s future lives up to their dreams. Our children’s future belongs in Wales and they can go as far as their imaginations will allow. We can not afford to fail.

What will you do for Gower / South Wales West if elected?

The gradual economic decline of Swansea/Gower has led to deep social and economic harm, but it can be reversed - if we just have a different politics; a Welsh government that can instigate the ‘real change’ to transform Gower/Swansea.

We will campaign for Swansea Council to support local businesses. As local businesses benefit, we will campaign for the living wage. Together we will turn the tide on the desperate poverty that exists here.

I will also campaign to make Gower/Swansea the centre for the ‘New Green Revolution’ in Wales, the hub for the design, development, building and running of the Tidal lagoon, owned by Wales, providing us and local business with 100% clean energy.

Working together we can again be the hub of the next industrial revolution in the green re-industrialisation of Wales: for job creation for all of us and our children. We need to reverse our slow decline, countering it with a vibrant healthy green future.