Rhys Mills

Candidate for Islwyn constituency and South Wales East region (no. 4)

Tell us about yourself

Islwyn is more than a constituency to me; it is my home. I am a Town councillor in Blackwood and currently serve as the deputy mayor. I have dedicated my time in office to giving a voice to people who feel they have no voice. I believe that everyone should be able to shape the decisions that affect their lives, and our institutions should reflect the people they serve.

I am a Planning and Raw materials manager in the food manufacturing industry. I believe that my experience outside of the usual route into politics will serve me well in gaining better outcomes for the people I hope to represent.

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

Everyone should be able to shape the decisions that affect their lives and people should be able to hold those in power to account. The next five years are critical for the devolution settlement, people need to feel that they have a genuine stake in the Welsh state. Devolution should not just stop in Cardiff. It must make a positive difference in the day to day lives of the electorate. There is a lot of work to do.

What will you do for Islwyn / South Wales East if elected?

The Coronavirus pandemic isn’t just a public health crisis. It’s an economic crisis too. The Welsh economy is now facing its biggest challenge for a generation with unemployment predicted to reach 120,000 by the summer.

We now need to start planning for the recovery. Working out how we will build back not just better, but well. That means creating jobs, supporting businesses get back on their feet, and ensuring a bright future for our children. Approximately 600,000 children live in Wales: of those, one in three, or 200,000, are in poverty. This is simply unacceptable.

We need ambition and innovation to remodel our economy so that it works for everyone.