Duncan Rees has been nominated as the Wales Green Party candidate to stand in the upcoming Welsh Assembly by-election in Alyn & Deeside.
Duncan has been a member of the Wales Green Party since 2014 and stood in multiple elections since 2015. Since joining the party, Duncan has been an active member of the NE Wales party and is currently representing the local party as a convenor. Duncan is also a member of the Wales Green Party Council, representing NE Wales, and has recently taken on further responsibility as the conferences co-ordinator for Wales Green Party Council.
Duncan previously worked for the Co-operative Group in its membership, PR and community team in Wales for 15 years, and prior to that in Merseyside. Before this, he worked as an education and campaigns officer for Oxfam in London. He has been active in the Fairtrade movement and was Chair of Fairtrade Wales at the time of Wales achieving Fairtrade nation status in 2008.
Duncan is active locally in a range of voluntary organisations – including membership of the support group for the Wrexham – Bidston railway line, involvement in local community work supporting country parks in Wrexham, and as a volunteer on the Llangollen railway. Duncan has lived in Wrexham county borough for the past 23 years (currently in Ruabon) and takes an active interest in issues affecting people across North Wales.
Duncan said: "I am standing as the Wales Green Party candidate at this by-election, because I firmly believe that Green party policies and our agenda for a sustainable and fair future for the people and communities of Wales need to be at the heart of this election campaign. If elected, I will:
· Campaign for the North Wales main train line to be included in the rail electrification programme, and for new trains, improved services and stations on the Wrexham to Bidston rail line. This rail line is vital to many local commuters and businesses in Alyn and Deeside constituency. I will also work to improve the provision for pedestrians, cyclists & bus passengers;
· Work to bring jobs to the local community: renewable energy will provide safe, clean energy and sustainable local jobs with a decent wage;
· Campaign for an environmental policy which works for the community, and which also delivers a major reduction in non-recyclable waste – e.g. plastics;
· Oppose austerity policies and the impact that they are having on the ability of local government to provide the facilities and services that are needed in the local communities where we live;
· Work to achieve more democratic accountability in Wales: we need better links between the members of the National Assembly of Wales and their constituents, and improved information about the role of the Assembly and Welsh government in delivering local and national services in Wales.”