FOR one day, right at the beginning of this election campaign, Barry was the centre of the UK.
The day after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced the July 4 General Election (shoulders soaked, stood in the rain outside Downing Street), Sunak was in Barry enjoying a pint in famous Barry brewery VOG (we hope VOG had their non-alcoholic range on the go as the PM doesn’t drink…).
Vale Tory candidate Alun Cairns was there, by his leader’s side, sitting at the table and quickly jumped in when the PM started talking about how everyone in Wales must be looking forward to the Euros…
As all this was happening in the VOG brewery, outside Labour party offices on Barry High Street, Labour candidate for the Vale Kanishka Narayan launched his campaign pledging to end 14 years of ‘Tory decline’.
In a speech to local people, Mr Narayan set out his first steps for the local area, which includes "promoting Vale's small businesses and bringing energy back to the high street, working with police and residents to tackle antisocial behaviour, returning neighbourhood policing and bringing economic stability to the Vale".
Keir Starmer described Mr Narayan's campaign as “a chance to change the Vale of Glamorgan”.
“A vote for Labour is a vote for economic and political stability, and an end to Conservative chaos,” said the Labour leader.
On his campaign, Mr Narayan said: “I am proud to launch my campaign to be the next Labour MP for the Vale. As a resident, I know that our community deserves better than the past 14 years of Tory decline.
“Over the next few weeks, I will set out my plans to change the Vale. I have already made progress, working with our small business leaders, speaking to over 30,000 residents to hear their ideas, and fighting for community policing to tackle anti-social behaviour.
“Together we can change the Vale.”
While Mr Narayan was articulating this, Mr Cairns was commendably stepping in to save the PM’s footballing gaff and attempting to brush away the tumbleweed.
Mr Cairns says he is campaigning on his record in Barry and the Vale.
Mr Cairns’ team said he had secured a £20m marina for the town and a further £20m to regenerate the town centre.
Mr Cairns is said to have also ensured the upgrade of the train stations in Barry and Cadoxton, with new lifts and better access, in addition to a new train station for St Athan that will better connect the Vale.
One of Mr Cairn’s proudest achievements was said to be securing the Aston Martin factory to boost local employment.
Mr Cairns says he has a strong and clear plan to take Barry to the next stage of regeneration and added that a Labour victory will “take us back to square one.”
“Kier Starmer wants to use the Welsh Government as a blueprint for his plans,” said Mr Cairns.
“The blanket 20mph speed limit has caused chaos and Labour run Wales has the longest NHS waiting lists on record.”
Got a story in Barry? Email harry.jamshidian@newsquest.co.uk.
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