A political veteran and a first-timer are standing in Llanishen while a trio of Tory candidates will contest the new Lisvane and Thornhill ward
THE Conservatives have announced their candidates for the redrawn wards of Llanishen and the new ward of Lisvane and Thornhill ahead of the council elections in May.
Lawrence Gwynn and Jens Kaiser have been chosen to stand in Llanishen where the number of councillors is dropping from four to two as Thornhill is transferred to neighbouring Lisvane ward.
John Lancaster and Sian Elin-Melbourne are standing in Lisvane and Thornhill, which is increasing from one to three councillors. Emma Reid-Jones completes the trio.
Mr Gwynn, 58, is contesting the seat for the fourth time after losing in 2012 and 2017 as a UKIP candidate and in 2019 as an independent.
Mr Kaiser, 44, is competing in his first election after moving to the UK from Germany 15 years ago.
Lifelong Llanishen resident Mr Gwynn said: “Helping the people of Llanishen is the whole point and it’s often the little things that people want.
“There are several issues that need addressing in Llanishen. For example, enforcing speed limits. Some 20mph zones are totally ignored and I worry for the young kids playing – I used to play there myself.”
Mr Gwynn attended Coed Glas Primary School before going onto Llanishen High School.
Asked why he’s standing, Mr Kaiser said: “I want to repay the welcome the people of Llanishen have given me. For me, it’s about doing something for the community.”
The quality of the roads is another focus for Mr Gwynn.
“Some of the roads like Fishguard Road are terrible, the potholes can damage your car because they are so bad.”
Mr Gwynn, who joined the Conservative Party six months ago, outlined what he’s standing for.
He said: “I think we need more police presence on the beat. You just don’t see police officers on the street anymore. Also, the Llangrannog Road shops need regeneration or to be turned into flats.
“And why is there no service on a Sunday on the Coryton Railway? People going shopping on a Sunday could get to town in five minutes. Imagine the amount of traffic this would bring off the roads.”
The Tory candidate thinks the loss of Thornhill might damage the Conservative vote.
Mr Gwynn said: “Thornhill was a good area for the Conservatives and I’m a bit concerned with the loss. But politics is a strange game so we’ll have to see.”
Mr Gwynn has twice contested the Cardiff North constituency, first in the 2010 general election for UKIP and secondly in the 2021 Senedd election for the Abolish the Welsh Assembly Party.
Llanishen’s current councillors are either moving ward or standing down.
Meanwhile, Tom Parkill and Shaun Jenkins are standing down after five years.
Coun Parkill said: “It’s been an honour to represent the people of Llanishen.
“I’m not standing again because we are moving closer to family to help with our young child and to support my wife as she undertakes her speciality training as an NHS doctor.
“I’m proud of many achievements during the last five years including removing road narrowings on Hoel Hir, to championing improvements in Llanishen and Glenmount Parks and very soon will have a permanent solution in place to stop Fishguard Road being used as a rat run.
“Most of all I will miss helping people in the community with their issues large and small.”
You can read about Labour’s candidates for the wards here.
Candidates from Plaid Cymru and the Liberal Democrats are yet to be announced.
