FRESH on the heels of a solid showing in the local elections, Plaid Cymru/The Party of Wales have announced their candidates for Preseli Pembrokeshire and Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire for the General Election on June 8.

Llyr Williams, a 23-year-old trainee accountant from Letterston, stands for the party in Preseli Pembrokeshire. As chair of Plaid Youth in the county, he sits on the organisation’s National Council and has worked with political groups across Europe, aided by his fluency in French and German.

Responding to his selection Llyr said: “It’s an absolute honour to be selected unanimously by Plaid members in Preseli Pembs to fight this seat. I think our county needs a fresh young voice to ensure that our county’s voice is heard in this crucial period. Pembrokeshire has been Labour or Conservative for far too long. I look forward to the challenge ahead, providing a real alternative voice for the people of Pembrokeshire that will put them first.”

Fighting for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire will be Abi Thomas from Laugharne. A psychology graduate, her background is in business development and marketing. She’s a member of the Hywel Dda Community Health Council, the patient’s voice and watchdog. As Plaid’s parliamentary candidate in the Ogmore by-election last May, Abi increased her party’s share of the vote.

“I am delighted to have been selected by Plaid Cymru to stand in Carmarthen West and South Pembs,” she said. “As a local candidate who has grown up here, I want the best for our beautiful counties. With Brexit coming, we must ensure that the people of Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire get the best possible deal. With Labour weak and divided, Plaid Cymru is the only party you can trust to defend Wales against a Tory party which we suspect will give the richer interests and regions of England priority in Brexit negotiations and trade settlements.”