Maria Caulfield Conservative Candidate for Caerphilly

Maria is a nurse and has been an active member of the Conservative Party for a number of years and started off by being elected as a councillor in Brighton and Hove in 2007. She enjoys gardening and is a keen member of CAMRA...campiagn for real ale.

Maria is passionate about Caerphilly and is increasingly frustrated at the way Plaid council have taken for granted local voters and not consulted on issues such as the Bedwas housing development and the potential closure of local police stations. Indeed at a wider level Maria is disappointed that the Labour-Plaid assembly government are not taking key decisions in relation to less money being available for public spending in the next few years. Conservatives in Caerphilly want to know how the asssembly government are going to manage public services with less money available.

 Maria's Key Priorities for Caerphilly are

Tourism - With Tourism in the UK set to increase by 0.8% why is tourism in South Wales dropping by 11%. This is having a devastating effect on local businesses which depend on visitors for their trade. Conservatives are demanding the Assembly Government start investing in the South Wales tourist industry and start promoting it further.

Farming - much of the area is dependant on the farming industry to provide local food and jobs and yet Welsh Farmers have little voice when it comes to the EU CAP which is seeing prices of cattle falling by 26% and sheep 12%. A Conservative Government will work hard for a fairer deal for farmers

 Caerphilly Town Centre - Plaid run Caerphilly council have for a number of years now been promising a redevelopment of the town centre and talking to small businesses they want to know when this is likely to happen. Lack of investment means shoppers are going else where and many shop owners are unable to plan long term because of a lack of clarity around plans for the town centre. Conservatives in Caerphilly want some action for our local retailers.