It's Mike Parker for Ceredigion

Mike Parker has been selected to represent Plaid Cymru at the next Westminster election in Ceredigion. The result was announced last night after the second of two crowded hustings meetings held in the constituency over the past eight days. 

Mike Parker is a self-employed writer and broadcaster. He moved from his native Kidderminster to Ceredigion in 2000, has lived in west Wales ever since and has learnt Welsh. He has written several travel books, and has presented series such as Coast to Coast and Great Welsh Roads on ITV Wales, and the 10-part series On The Map on Radio 4.

On winning the nomination, Mike said,

“The three main UK parties lack ambition for areas such as ours. Ceredigion has a strong tradition of entrepreneurship – self employment here is double the national average – as well as two universities and rich natural and cultural resources. I believe I can offer a genuine choice to people; the current Westminster government has achieved so little for Ceredigion, and I’m passionate and ambitious about the county’s future.

“I was born in Birmingham and grew up in Kidderminster; my life and writing proves that it’s possible to love both Wales and England with an equal passion, while believing that there’s a better way to organise the relationship between them than the creaking political structure that we have.

“I’m thrilled and very grateful to have been selected to try to win back the Ceredigion seat for Plaid, and look forward to working hard over the next two years to take our positive message to everyone in Ceredigion. I can’t wait.”

Mike is pictured here after the result was announced with Ceredigion's Assembly member Elin Jones who last night was also re-selected to contest the Ceredigion Welsh Assembly election in 2016. 

Elin said,

"Mike Parker is a man of great talent, honesty and integrity; it’s obvious he has a passion for our area and its people, and has great ideas for its future. I look forward immensely to working with him.”

The next Westminster election is expected to be held in May 2015.