Candidate list is confirmed (From Free Press Series)

Candidate list is confirmed

Today we give you your first look at the list of candidates who want to represent Torfaen at Westminster. There are six of them and they'll be pounding the streets, shaking hands, kissing babies and making lots of promises over the next couple of weeks, leading up to the general election on May 5. Will you be staying faithful to the Labour Party, could Plaid tempt you away, or what about flirting with an Independent? We'll be helping you to make up your mind.

YOU'LL have six choices on your ballot papers when you vote in the general election on May 5.

The list of candidates hoping to represent Torfaen at Westminster was closed yesterday. It shows five people are attempting to overturn the majority of Paul Murphy, who's represented Torfaen for Labour since 1987.

It's going to be a tough job. Mr Murphy polled almost 22,000 votes in the 2001 election - that was 16,000 more than Conservative Jason Evans who came second. But he's been out campaigning amid fears a low turnout and protests against the war in Iraq could dent that huge majority.

This year the candidates are; Paul Murphy (Labour); Aneurin Jason Marsden Preece (Plaid Cymru the Party of Wales); Nicholas Harvey Ramsay (Conservative); Dave Rowlands (UKIP); Richard Jeffries Turner-Thomas (Independent); Veronica Watkins Welsh (Liberal Democrats).

See next week's Free Press for pictures and messages from all the candidates. l Polling cards have now been sent out to all Torfaen households due to receive them. They should be arriving in the next few days. Call Torfaen council on 01495 762200 if you don't receive yours by next week - but you don't actually need a card to go to your polling station to vote.

The closing date to apply for postal votes is April 26.