Cardiff North 2015: Mari Williams – Labour

We asked all the Cardiff North candidates to tell us who they are and why they’re standing for election.

Who are you?

I’m Mari Williams, I’m from Rhiwbina, went to Llanishen Fach and then Whitchurch High School. I’m a secondary school history teacher, most recently a deputy head in Hackney. I set off to cycle round the world – cycled across America, New Zealand and in Australia and then came back home passionate about my home city. I still work in Cardiff schools. I hope over the last 2 years I have shown you the kind of MP I would like to be – hard working, campaigning and standing up for local people.

Why are you standing for election?

As a teacher for 12 years I saw the difference a Labour government made. I want to stand up for my home – my community. I have been campaigning to keep our local libraries open, improve our bus services and promoting small business.

I’m worried about what will happen if the Conservatives get back into government and cut public spending to levels not seen since the 1930s. We need to balance the books but in a fair way. So many people I speak to tell me their income has not gone up and yet prices and bills have gone up and up. A Labour government would make work pay by introducing a 10p tax rate, freeze energy bills, invest in the NHS through a Mansion Tax and double free child care for working parents. These are just some of the ways that a Labour government would be better for people in Cardiff North.

Follow the candidates at our election hub. Find out what the candidates said during our Tweet Chat.