I live in Acrefair, in the north of the constituency, where I raise my two children. My wife works for the NHS in cancer care services. Before becoming an MP, I was head of drama at Ysgol Clywedog in Wrexham, and after almost twenty years as a secondary school teacher and trade union representative, I became president of the Welsh branch of my trade union. Before that, I had a few different jobs in factories, warehouses, and security.

I was statemented as dyslexic and dyscalculic as a child and was illiterate until the age of 11 as a result. Written off by many, I was placed in bottom sets at school for years. I eventually studied English Literature at Lampeter University (now Trinity St David), before getting my PGCE at Aberystwyth University. I have long campaigned for better conditions for teachers, and against school closures.

As Montgomeryshire’s first ever Labour MP, I’m determined to prove to our communities that Labour is not only the party of working people but the party of local businesses, small towns, and the countryside.

My priority has always been to stand up for local people, which is why I only intend to be a backbench constituency MP. I will fight on the local issues that matter most to you and your community.

And in Parliament, you can count on me to be a proud voice for Montgomeryshire and Glyndŵr while advocating for stronger employment rights, fairer pay, better public services and a more sustainable environment.