A teacher who lives in Dubai is hoping to be elected as a councillor in Wales’ third largest city. The Middle Eastern metropolis, best known for its skyscrapers and luxury shopping, is not usually associated with Welsh politics. But Shane Williams, who has worked there teaching English for five years, is determined to create a new connection.
Election nomination papers sent by Mr Williams to officials at Newport council give his address as an apartment block in Dubai, which is in the United Arab Emirates. He is standing in the Tredegar Park and Marshfield ward for Propel, the pro-Welsh independence party founded by former MS Neil McEvoy. See more stories on Welsh politics here.
Cllr Matthew Evans, leader of the opposition Conservative group on the council, said: “I was absolutely astonished when I saw his address on the list of nominated candidates - I had to do a double take. In all my years in local politics I have never seen anything like this.
“There is often talk about candidates who don’t live in the ward where they’re standing, but this is something else. It just seems completely bizarre.”
Mr McEvoy, who is seeking re-election as a member of Cardiff council, said he had met Mr Williams about eight months ago and he was keen to stand. However, he won’t be knocking on any doors between now and the election on May 5 as he won’t be returning to Wales before July.
In a statement issued on his behalf by Cllr McEvoy, Mr Williams said: “I am returning to Wales on July 6, but have never really been away in my heart. I am standing for Propel, because I believe people are looking for genuine political change.
“I was born and bred in the area and taught at Dyffryn High for five years before teaching abroad. My life experiences living away give me that bit of extra insight and I want to make a difference in my community.
“I have seen and experienced the ongoing issues faced especially by young people and senior citizens. People are really struggling now and I support not increasing council tax.
“In Propel we have innovative money generation schemes to enable councils to stay above water and more. Propel is just a year old and is the Welsh party of the future. We definitely don’t do politics as usual and I like that. I am really looking forward to returning to Newport permanently.”
Cllr McEvoy said Mr Williams was able to stand for Newport council because he also has an address in the city.
Meanwhile an aide to Brecon & Radnorshire Conservative MS James Evans is standing for election to Powys County Council on the strength of staying with his parents in a village near Brecon for part of the week. Matthew MacKinnon has an apartment in Cardiff Bay and works two days a week for Mr Evans.
He told us: “When I’m working for James in Cardiff I stay in my apartment, but the rest of the time I’m home with my parents in Llangorse, where I’m a candidate in the council election. I work for James on Tuesdays and Wednesdays but am in Llangorse at home with my parents from Thursday until Monday.
“Quite a lot of young people find themselves travelling between a home in the country and work in a city for part of the week and that’s what I do,” he said.
Mr MacKinnon was previously a full-time director for the right wing think tank the Centre for Welsh Studies. His LinkedIn profile describes him as based in “Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom” and states: “Communications and campaigns professional. Based in South Wales, but frequently in London. Currently a Senior Adviser in the Senedd and a political communications consultant.”
