Senedd Election 2021: Wrexham constituency result in full as Labour hold seat

Lesley Griffiths has once again been elected as Wrexham's MS as Labour retains its grip on the town.

Ms Griffiths, who has held the seat since 2007, retained her seat with a majority of 8,452 votes.

The seat was held despite the Conservative party taking Wrexham in the 2019 General Election, with Sarah Atherton being successfully elected.

In second place was the Conservatives with 7,102 votes, while Plaid Cymru came in third with 4,832 votes.

The Abolish party got 790 votes followed by Lib Dem (755), UKIP (378), Reform (187) and Gwlad (110).

Back in 2016, Ms Griffiths took 37.1% of the vote, with the Conservative challenger taking 30.6%.

The candidates who stood in Wrexham

Paul Ashton, Abolish the Welsh Assembly

Charles Dodman, Reform UK

Lesley Griffiths, Welsh Labour

Carrie Harper, Plaid Cymru

Jeremy Richard Kent, Welsh Conservative Party

Aaron Norton, Gwlad

Sebastian Ross, UKIP

Timothy John Sly, Welsh Liberal Democrats

The candidates

Lesley Griffiths - Labour

I was brought up in North East Wales and have lived and worked in Wrexham all my adult life.

I have two daughters and served as a school governor and community councillor. I worked at the Wrexham Maelor Hospital for 20 years. Prior to my election, I worked as constituency assistant to Ian Lucas MP.

As a strong supporter of devolution for Wales, I played an active role in the 1997 'Yes for Wales' campaign.

I was elected to the National Assembly for Wales in May 2007 and served on several Assembly Committees. I set up and chaired the Cross Party Hospice Group. Since December 2009, I have been privileged to hold a number of ministerial roles in the Welsh Government. I am currently the Minister for Environment, Energy & Rural Affairs.

Outside of politics, my main hobbies are watching Wrexham Association Football Club, listening to music and walking. I am formerly an elected director of the Wrexham Supporters Trust.

What is the most important thing you think the Senedd should do in the next five years?

We are living through extraordinary times. The Coronavirus pandemic continues to affect all our lives and its impact will be felt for many years to come. Led by Mark Drakeford, the Welsh Labour Government has a proven track record of delivering on its promises. It has the experience, values and compassion to rebuild a stronger, fairer and successful Wales out of the midst of this global crisis.

It’s also important Wales does not suffer in the aftermath of leaving the European Union. The thin deal agreed by the UK Government and the EU does not adequately protect jobs and our economy but a Welsh Labour Government will continue to do its utmost to protect Welsh citizens.

What will you do for your constituency if elected?

In Wrexham, we’ve benefited from a number of Welsh Government-funded projects, such as the redevelopment of many of our local schools, colleges and health centres; creation of the Development Bank of Wales and the construction of Ty Pawb.

Ongoing projects include the flagship Wrexham Gateway Partnership, which is focused on regenerating an area of the town centred around the Racecourse Stadium, Wrexham General Station and the Mold Road, as well as the establishment of a national football museum in the town centre.

This unprecedented situation will require radical thinking, as well as further support and investment, and I will continue to stand up for Wrexham to make sure the town receives its fair share of funding as we start to contemplate life after the Coronavirus pandemic.

Carrie Harper - Plaid Cymru

I was born and raised in Caia Park in Wrecsam, the biggest council estate in north Wales. I still live on the estate with my partner and our two children and have represented the Queensway ward for Plaid Cymru since 2008.

Growing up in an area that has some of the highest levels of child poverty in Wales, I understand inequality better than most and am passionate about lifting my community up. I'm an experienced campaigner on issues such as planning, health and climate

I'm also passionate about the Welsh language, I'm a learner myself and my partner and two children are fluent Welsh speakers. I've campaigned for new Welsh-medium schools locally and was one of the founding members of the Saith Seren cultural centre, which supports both Welsh speakers and learners, as well as promoting Welsh culture.

What is the most important thing you think the Senedd should do in the next five years?

We’re facing an uncertain future because of Covid, because of climate change, because of Brexit. It’s clear our communities don't want to return to an old system that has failed them for generations, they want bold new solutions to face these difficult challenges.

I want to take Plaid's message to the communities Labour forgot, the time for half measures is over, we can have radical change in Wales but we need to elect radically different politics to deliver it. 2021 is our opportunity to do just that.

What will you do for your constituency / region if elected?

We need to acknowledge that the world is changing and ensure that Wales is leading the way in terms of transitioning and preparing our economy for the jobs of the future.

There is no doubt that the opportunities ahead are in the green and digital economies and preparing the infrastructure needed to usher in this third industrial revolution. We must ensure, particularly post-Covid, that all the powers and levers we need to build a better Wales are at our disposal.

Jeremy Kent - Conservatives

I’m 34 and have lived in Wrexham for 13 years, having grown up in north Wales. I work as crown servant, overseeing a government project to provide activities to children in disadvantaged areas. I volunteer as a cadet forces instructor and I am the senior officer for the Wrexham area. I am a governor at a local secondary school and chair of the student and staff welfare committee.

I became active in politics when I ran as the Welsh Conservative candidate in a local council by-election. I’ve always wanted to help others, and this is what has encouraged me to stand for election to the Senedd. After work and volunteering, there is not much time left, but I enjoy going on long-distance walks.

What is the most important thing you think the Senedd should do in the next five years?

The Senedd over the next five years must focus on the post Covid-19 recovery, ensuring that we not only recover, but bounce back better.

The Senedd needs to focus on the devolved areas and not get caught up in things that are not devolved. The NHS in Wales will need a comprehensive support package to deal with the effects of Covid-19, that has shone a light on Labour’s failings.

What will you do for your constituency if elected?

I will be a strong voice for the people of Wrexham and represent their needs in the Senedd. I will make sure that Wrexham and north Wales are no longer forgotten by a Cardiff-centric Labour Government. I will champion our town as a place for businesses to invest and create jobs. I will work hard to ensure all our children are given the educational head start they deserve to ensure they can succeed in meeting their aspirations.

Tim Sly - Liberal Democrats

I'm 62 years old and I live in a small village outside Wrexham with my wife Barbara. I studied at Swansea University and now work for a technology company which makes energy-saving controls for lighting.

Wherever I've lived over the years, I've tried to make a difference. I've served as a school governor and a local councillor in the past, as well as volunteering for various charities and not-for-profit organisations. I can speak some Welsh – although not as well as I once could – as well as French and German.

Away from work, I enjoy spending time with my family as well as walking, cycling, reading and gradually improving our house.

My wife and daughter both work for the NHS and I’m incredibly proud of the work they do to ensure that patients get the vital medicines that they need.

What is the most important thing you think the Senedd should do in the next five years?

The overriding priority for the Senedd will be to promote recovery – in all its forms.

The last year has really taken its toll on everyone, affecting the mental health and well being of many people. At the same time, our hospitality and tourism businesses have taken a huge hit as a result of the pandemic, while manufacturers and food producers have been hit by the after effects of Brexit as well.

I believe we need to see decisive, large-scale actions by the Senedd to promote mental health and well being, and start to prioritise caring for mental health to the same extent as physical health. This needs to be combined with initiatives to help businesses recover, through efforts to revitalise hospitality and tourism, as well as stimulating investment in initiatives to combat climate change, from renewable energy and better home insulation to measures to mitigate and prevent flooding.

What will you do for your constituency if elected?

I want to see more high-quality, sustainable jobs created in the Wrexham area, by encouraging investment in areas such as renewable energy and battery storage to help combat climate change. I want to combine this with investment in improved education and training, so that local people can equip themselves with the skills to take advantage of these new opportunities.

I’m very conscious that the focus on battling Covid has left a growing NHS waiting list for other treatments that have been delayed or cancelled. I will fight to get more money for Maelor Hospital to help clear the backlog, provide a decent pay settlement for our NHS staff and carers, and provide healthier lives for the people of Wrexham.

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