No child’s future should be written off because of where they’re born. I know first-hand the difference opportunity makes: I struggled to read and write until I was eight. That’s why I’ll put child poverty at the top of the agenda: tackling hunger, housing and the everyday basics families need. I’ll champion universal, publicly delivered childcare, defend and strengthen our comprehensive schools, and campaign for higher standards in every classroom. I’ll push to fix the ALN crisis, and back youth services that change lives: safe spaces, trusted youth workers, and real opportunities for every young person.

Our NHS staff do an incredible job, but beneath the surface in Caerdydd Penarth lies a tale of two cities. Life expectancy still depends on your postcode and services are overstretched. I’ll defend our NHS as a publicly funded, publicly delivered service; working with unions and the Socialist Health Association to champion staff pay, rights and training. I will fight health inequalities with a focus on prevention, and better access and outcomes, especially for women, people of colour, LGBT, neuro-diverse and disabled people. I will back UNISON’s campaign for a National Care Service; and my mantra will always be people, not profits. And I’ll push for faster access to GPs, dentists and mental health care. My mantra is simple: people, not profits.

Too many women wait too long for healthcare, carry the load of an underfunded care system, or face unsafe streets and undervalued jobs. I’ll join the fight to end medical misogyny, back Claire’s Campaign on gynaecological cancers, and demand an NHS apology for forced adoptions. I’ll push for a new deal for working mums and carers with better childcare, stronger workplace rights and fair pay. And I’ll stand up to misogyny in politics: backing equal representation, tackling violence against women, and ensuring women’s voices are heard at every level.

Cardiff is a growing city, but too many people aren’t sharing in that growth. Wages lag behind, food banks are stretched, rents are soaring and high streets are hollowing out. Workers in key sectors, from carers to retail and hospitality, are stuck on low pay and insecure contracts. I’ll fight for fair wages, secure work and lifelong learning. I’ll back co-ops, small businesses and community wealth-building so prosperity is recycled locally. And I’ll champion thriving high streets, green apprenticeships and fairer investment so every community feels the prosperity of Caerdydd Penarth.

 For those under 45, the promise of a secure home and stable job has been broken. Millennials are the first generation worse off than their parents; Gen Z face insecure work, sky-high rents and rising mental ill-health even earlier. I’ll fight for affordable homes, fair rents and stronger renters’ rights; for secure, well-paid union jobs and new opportunities in green and creative industries; for faster mental health support and liveable neighbourhoods. And I’ll defend the joys that make life worth living: from culture to safe nights out; so we can build a future with dignity, not debt.

The climate crisis isn’t distant, it’s here. From flooding to polluted air and soaring bills, communities in Caerdydd Penarth are already feeling the storm. Wales can lead the fight but only if fairness is at the heart of it. I’ll defend unionised jobs in traditional industries while pushing for green jobs, retraining and apprenticeships so no worker is left behind. I’ll back investment in warm homes, affordable energy and community-owned power. I’ll fight for cleaner air, safer streets, restored nature and better public transport. And I’ll demand climate-ready infrastructure.

A secure home, a reliable bus, a safe street – these are basics everyone should be able to count on. Yet after 14 years of Tory austerity, too many are priced out, too many renters’ face insecurity, and too many older people live in cold or unsafe homes. I’ll fight for affordable council and co-op housing, stronger renters’ rights, and fairer rents. I’ll push for better public transport that connects every community and safe walking and cycling routes. I’ll stand up for community safety, tackling crime and anti-social behaviour, and demand dignity, securing and care for older people.

From Somaliland to Ireland; India, Pakistan and Bangladesh to more recent arrivals from other parts of Europe – we have a proud history of diversity. That diversity makes us stronger, but belonging means more: feeling safe, seen and valued, whoever you are and wherever you’re from. I’ll fight discrimination, champion anti-racism and stand up proudly for LGBTQ+ rights. I’ll back disabled and neurodivergent people with inclusive services and earlier support. And I’ll push for politics that reflects the people it serves: with fairer representation, safer communities and a true nation of sanctuary. Together we can build a city, and a country, everyone calls home.

Welsh Labour is at its best when we’re a movement. I’ll help build a movement rooted in our communities, led by members and powered by our unions. That means championing grassroots activists; feminist, BAME, LGBTQ+ and trade unionists through an open, inclusive culture where every voice is valued. I’ll back fairer representation, stronger safeguarding and higher standards in public life. I’ll support Young Labour and Labour Students, and work with branches to put in place winning campaign strategies ahead of the next council elections: helping us build a stronger movement from the ground up.

I want to see a Welsh Government that’s bold, accountable and relentlessly focused on outcomes. I’ll fight for stronger devolution where it matters including economic levers and the Crown Estate. I’ll back a fairer funding settlement, reform of the Lords to give Wales a stronger voice, and a voting system that builds trust. I’ll push power closer to communities through a new Community Engagement Bill.