The SDP is pleased to announce Ian McLean as our candidate for the Newport West By-Election on Thursday, 4th April 2019.
Ian is standing for Newport West so that he can champion the local area’s priorities. All Ian’s life he has contributed to the local community in and around South East Wales holding many roles including serving as a Magistrate for 22 years. He is Vice Chair of the Treorchy Branch of the RAF Association, having served as a Flight Lieutenant in the Volunteer Reserve, Vice Chair of Pontypridd High School Governing body and Vice Chair of the Astronomical Society at Cardiff University.
SDP Policies:
- Clean Brexit
- Controlled end to austerity with increased NHS spending
- Lower immigration
- Larger Army, Navy and Air Force – for defence not foreign wars
- National programme of Council House building
- Turnover tax for tax-avoiding multinationals
- Railway re-nationalisation
Local Issues:
- Support M4 Newport relief road
- Work to attract science and technology companies to Newport – to bring skilled jobs to the city
- Improve Transport for Wales trains and rolling stock
- Regeneration of Newport city centre with positive action to combat homelessness
Ian McLean, SDP Candidate, “I am delighted to have been accepted by the SDP to stand as their candidate for the people of Newport West and if elected, regardless of your political persuasion, I will do my utmost to bring about a better and fairer community for you and everyone within the constituency.
Whilst Brexit is of course the big topic of the moment, there is more to this by-election than just that. It’s about Newport West and its constituents and about bringing much needed improvements, jobs and investment into the area.
The M4 Relief Road has for far too long been delayed; the valleys railways are in desperate need of upgrading; crime, homelessness and living rough have increased.
For far too long this constituency has been neglected by the Conservative Government, the Labour Council and the Labour controlled Welsh Assembly and it’s time for that to change!
The SDP is all about Common Sense Politics for Decent People, which is what everyone in Newport West deserves!”
William Clouston, SDP Party Leader, “The SDP is delighted to have selected a strong local candidate Ian McLean to fight the Newport West by election. Ian has vast experience as a Magistrate, School Governor and will make a great MP.”
About Ian
Ian has been an active campaigner for the local community and has stood in local council elections in the Abercynon ward of Rhondda Cynon Taff in early 2017 and again in the General Election of 2017 for the Cynon Valley Constituency.
Ian has occupied several community roles serving as a Magistrate in Pontypridd and Merthyr Tydfil as well as Vice Chair of Pontypridd High School Governing body and Vice Chair and Assistant Observatory Manager of Cardiff Astronomical Society, at the Department of Physics and Astronomy, Cardiff University. He has recently been elected as a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society.
As a former Flight Lieutenant Commissioned Officer in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (RAF VRT), Ian has run three Air Cadet Squadrons within the Air Training Corps. He is Vice Chair of the Treorchy Branch of the Royal Air Force Association (RAFA).
Ian started work in the Structure Planning Department of Mid Glamorgan County Council in 1977, and since then has worked for BT including planning Super-Fast Broadband, essential for rural communities and for making Wales attractive to businesses.
Ian enjoys studying languages and foreign culture. He passed the Japanese Ministry of Education exam in Japanese language at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), and gained a Diploma in Chinese Language and Culture at the University of Wales, College of Cardiff.
About the Social Democratic Party
The SDP represents the radical centre of British politics today, believing the market and the state have a complementary role to play in rebuilding Britain. The Party aims to provide a political home to all social democrats who seek a stronger and more capable state along with greater individual responsibility, trust and a focus on the needs of communities. The SDP supports the nation state, democracy and Brexit.
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To arrange an interview with Ian McLean please call him on 07752 306944
For Media Enquiries please contact the SDP Press Office at pressoffice@sdp.org.uk
Registered Address of The Social Democratic Party, 272 Bath Street, Glasgow, G2 4JR