Wales: Power to the people?

Delyth Isaac Politics Show Wales

"There seems to be a small number of people who make the decisions. I don't feel the little man has a voice".

Kim Watkins is a housewife, who works part time in a supermarket near her home in Bridgend in South Wales.

She has never been actively involved in politics until now.

I thought there was very little I could do to influence what was happening and like most people, would not have dreamt of getting involved.

Mrs Watkins stands for election as a councillor to Bridgend CBC

In 2004 Mrs Watkins will stand for election as a councillor to Bridgend County Borough Council.

Her promise to the voters will be to reflect their concerns and wishes.

Kim Watkins has become involved in the political process through a group called 'The Alliance for Change'.

It was formed at the beginning of September and is comprised of people who reject party politics and want to claim local government for local people.

Peter Phillips is one of the founding members

Peter Phillips, an historian and writer, is one of the founding members of the group. He said;

I think people are disillusioned by party politics - the confrontational, gang-like mentality that pervades party politics.

We are setting out to put genuinely independent candidates into each ward in the next council elections ... we want to take the party politics out of local government.

In October 2003, 'The Alliance for Change' published its mission statement. It states;

The majority of the electorate now refuses to vote and we believe the public is crying out for a change to old fashioned, confrontational politics.

We prefer to see a council where councillors are free of party whips and are allowed to support policies and issues that reflect the wishes of the constituents.

In the 2004 council elections, The Alliance for Change intends supporting and fielding candidates in each ward of Bridgend County Borough who promise to adhere to our published principles, the most basic of which is a local government for local people.

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