Plaid Cymru members of the new Neath and Swansea East constituency have selected Andrew Jenkins as their candidate in the next UK General Election.
Andrew, who currently lives in Cimla with his partner and their son, grew up in Resolven, attended Ynysfach Primary School before later attending Llangatwg Comprehensive, Swansea College, and then Swansea University – where he achieved an MA in Politics.
He has worked in a variety of jobs, from bar staff in the Castle Hotel in Neath or retail assistant in HMV Swansea, to working on children’s rights research projects at Swansea University or as a policy officer for Age Cymru.
He also held public office as a Labour councillor on Neath Port Talbot Council between 2012 – 2017.
Speaking on his selection Andrew Jenkins said:
“It’s an honour to be selected to contest Neath and Swansea East in the next general election.
“This is where I was born, where I grew up and where I’m raising my family. I’ve worked and volunteered in, and represented and campaigned for our communities. I’ve seen the challenges we face, and the opportunities we have. I’ve spoken to some of the people struggling the most and the people who are working hard to make a real difference.
“Our communities are not heard by those making decisions, either in Cardiff or London. I want to change that.”
He was not always politically engaged, and says it was some of the struggles he has faced that woke him up to the injustices around.
“I was politically aware, but not engaged until the banking crash of 2007 and subsequent great recession”, continued Andrew.
“At a time when I was struggling with my own mental health, I started asking questions about why our communities were being let down so badly. I asked why so many were facing long term unemployment without help, why proposed cuts to public spending meant that those with the least were being asked to give more, and why no one seemed to be standing up for us.”
“I decided to get politically involved and joined the party that I felt was the natural fit for an English-speaking speaking guy from a working class family – Labour.
“It wasn’t until much later did I realise that, despite the many great people in that party, it was not my true political home. It is a party that is too complacent, too focused on winning power in Westminster than tackling injustice in Wales, that too often comprises on its principles and tempers its ambition for fear of being seen to be too radical or too ambitious.
“I joined Plaid Cymru, as I feel it’s the party that is community focused, that does not fear being ambitious in its desire to deliver for everyone in Wales.
“At the next general election, I want to join a small but dedicated team of Plaid Cymru MPs – strong local voices fighting for fairness, for ambition, for our communities and our country.”
More stories