LOCAL businesswoman Angela Burns has been selected as the Welsh Conservatives' candidate for Carmarthen West and Pembrokeshire South for next year's National Assembly elections. Angela, 48, of Stackpole, was chosen following a meeting of local party members. She has pledged to put health, education, farming and inward investment at the heart of her campaign. Angela's selection will see her challenge former Rural Affairs minister, Labour AM Christine Gwyther who won the seat with a 515 majority in 2003. Married with two children, Angela has worked in the business world for the last 25 years, and also performed voluntary work with homeless people for the charities Crisis and Shelter. Angela said: "I am thrilled to have won the nomination for this seat. I so wanted to do this. I loved the cut and thrust of business but now want to put something back into the community. My main concern is local politics. I am a local politician and intend to represent my local area." The leader of the Welsh Conservatives in the National Assembly Nick Bourne AM said: "I am absolutely delighted. Having spoken to Angela, I know she will be a high calibre candidate. "Her selection is part of our drive to get more women elected to the Assembly next year and I know she will play a prominent part of our campaign."
