Former AM Veronica German has been chosen to lead the South Wales East list for the Welsh Assembly elections next May.

From the Welsh Lib Dems website:

A democratic postal ballot of all members in the region chose the following candidates for the regional list in 2016:

1. Veronica German

2. Paul Halliday

3. Bob Griffin

Veronica German is a former Assembly Member for the region who has served as the Welsh Lib Dem spokesperson on health, local government and equalities. She is a former county councillor in both Newport and Torfaen, and worked as a science teacher for over 20 years.

Paul Halliday is a community activist in Newport, who stood for the party in Newport East at the 2015 general election. He has led vocal campaigns locally, including against the closure of the University of South Wales’ Caerleon campus.

Bob Griffin is a former councillor and cabinet member in Merthyr Tydfil, who volunteers with a number of local social enterprises.

Veronica said:

We may be the smallest group in the Assembly, but the Welsh Liberal Democrats have a strong record of delivery for the people of south east Wales. Nearly £76m extra for the region’s schools, discounted bus travel for nearly 25,000 of the region’s young people, and so much more would not be happening without the Welsh Lib Dems.

Over the past five years, our local health services have worsened. The Welsh Lib Dems’ clear three-point plan to guarantee a timely GP appointment, end the discrimination against mental health services and get more nurses onto our wards is vital to get our NHS back into shape.

We will be fighting hard to bring Welsh Lib Dem representation back to south east Wales because people here need a hard-working Assembly Member to fight their corner. With a strong record of delivery and a promise of more, I’m confident we can win South Wales East back for the Welsh Lib Dems.

Let’s hope that the team stays off the injury list this election. Paul Halliday had a bit of an encounter with a dog and ended up in A and E while campaigning in the general election. He still managed to make a hustings meeting that night, though.