Riaz Hassan is Welsh Labour candidate for the Senedd elections on 6th May.

He holds two Masters degrees and has a background in international environmental development helping communities shape their own future. Speaking to us a week before polling day, Riaz said,

“Things are changing across Wales. Hospitality is opening up, outdoors now and indoors very soon. The tourism industry expects a bumper summer, schools are back and we can all begin to think ahead.

Welsh Labour’s campaign that started in lockdown is now opening out and voters in Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire are talking about wider issues as well as the vital topic of health.

Acknowledging the past year is important. Our health and that of our loved ones means everything and Welsh Labour will ramp up procedures and appointments to tackle the Covid backlog. Bringing health and social care together closer to provide a seamless service will help patients and their families. And a renewed emphasis on mental health and wellbeing will help us rebuild our lives. The pandemic has brought out a real sense of community and fairness, and we will build on that.

Getting businesses back to work is key and continued support is vital. I have been talking with local firms and the Welsh Government’s rate relief has been a real boost. From April Welsh Labour is extending the rates holiday for businesses and charities in the retail, leisure & hospitality sectors for a further twelve months. Businesses up to £500k rateable value will pay no rates at all in 2021-22. We’ll have a new focus on town centres.

As a father of two teenagers, I know young people deserve the best possible chance to succeed especially after the pandemic. The young person’s guarantee of a job, education, training or self-employment provides that. The student support scheme in Wales is the most generous in the UK.

Welsh Labour’s commitment to tackling climate change is unwavering. The Climate Emergency is real and happening now and, if we do nothing, we will continue to lose habitats and species. Our amazing environment creates jobs in tourism, leisure and habitat restoration - particularly in coastal and rural communities like ours. I will lead a campaign to plant a million trees and to roll out carbon capture projects like the seagrass beds at Dale.

Green jobs, green transport and green energy are already playing their part in modern Wales. Welsh Labour will ramp that up with projects like the 1800 jobs in marine renewables coming to Pembroke Dock.

It’s been a year we will never forget and if we’ve learned one thing it’s this: billionaires don’t keep our country afloat. It’s our key workers: our nurses, carers, teachers, cleaners, drivers and retail staff who support us each and every day.

Mark Drakeford’s wise handling of the situation combined with a stunning response by the people of Wales means we are third in the World for vaccination rollout, with the lowest infection rates in the UK. Compare that to Boris Johnson’s England, and factor in the risk of getting saddled with Andrew RT Davies as First Minister.

I am ready to serve as your Senedd Member. With over 25 years in community development, I am used to listening to people and finding solutions. I love this place, and I will work with every resident, every business and every community to make sure you get the best from the Senedd. We will face every challenge together. And we will celebrate every win together.

Follow me on facebook.com/cwasplabour and instagram.com/cwasplabour - and vote Welsh Labour on 6th May.