Election Views; What are they going to do for Llanelli? – Andrew Morgan

 

Recently we contacted all the parties involved in the current Welsh Assembly election with some questions regarding their party’s plans for the town. Here is the reply from Andrew Morgan, Welsh Conservative Party candidate for Llanelli.

 

1) What is your party going to do for Llanelli?
The number one priority for Llanelli is improving the economy, thereby creating new jobs and revitalising the town centre. Throughout my whole life, I have seen Llanelli’s town centre become run down. Almost my entire life, for example, the area around Island Place has been a wasteland – now, even more so with the destruction of the Island House public house. The Labour-run local authority does not seem to be able to learn from the architectural and commercial mistakes of the past.

The fact that the local authority allowed the development of a large out-of-town shopping centre was a disgrace – the moving of the likes of Marks & Spencer and WHSmith to Trostre has almost taken the heart out of our town. My party is committed to building an economic recovery through small enterprises. We are committed to abolishing business rates for small businesses, as a strong attempt to get entrepreneurs to start up in Llanelli and create jobs. This is in marked contrast to the left-leaning parties’ sponsorship of costly “white elephants” like the Technium development in Dafen.

A thriving, “destination” town centre built on interesting local shops and businesses is my dream. Our economic policy, including the abolition of small business rates, will help make it a reality.

2) What are you going to do for Llanelli?
As someone who is Llanelli born and bred, I care passionately for our town. Under the representation of both Labour and Plaid Cymru, I have seen at first hand the destruction of our town centre. Since leaving university, I have pursued a career in the investment / pensions industry, which has led me to meet the leaders of many of the world’s largest companies and economists from many of the world’s central banks. What has become clear to me is that we have much to learn from how things are done elsewhere in the world. As well as my passion for my hometown, I believe I will bring an outward-looking approach, building on my international experiences, which is in marked contrast to the frequently inward-looking approach of the Welsh Assembly and local politics.

3) Where do you like to spend time in Llanelli?
I love to spend time in Parc Howard, an absolute gem of south west Wales, where I spent many happy days as a child. I also like to spend time on our seafront. At sunset, the view down the Loughor Estuary must be one of the most exquisite in the UK. Our seafront location is an inestimably valuable asset, which we must use imaginatively.