LOCAL campaigner Anthony Slaughter has been announced as the Wales Green Party candidate for the Cardiff South and Penarth constituency in the upcoming general election

Mr Slaughter, who was recently re-elected as Wales Green Party deputy leader for a second term, previously stood as a candidate for the constituency in the 2012 Parliamentary by-election and has been actively engaged with the Cardiff and the Vale local Green Party for several years.

He has lived in Penarth for more than ten years and has a long history of involvement in a variety of community projects in the area.

He is currently the Chair of local environmental organisation Gwyrddio Penarth Greening and is also active in the ‘20’s Plenty for Penarth’ speed awareness campaign.

Anthony, a garden designer by trade, said: ‘‘I am very pleased and privileged to have once again been selected to represent Wales Green Party in my home constituency. These are exciting times for the Green Party with the current phenomenal increase in party membership showing no signs of slowing and new local branches setting up across Wales on an almost weekly basis.’’

He added: ‘‘I strongly believe that this increased interest reflects a growing public desire for a political party offering real policies that address the serious problems facing our society. I know that many people in Penarth share my concerns over environmental and social justice issues which is why it is so important that voters are offered a real choice in the coming election.’’

Leader of the Wales Green Party, Pippa Bartolotti added "Anthony Slaughter is a strong Green candidate for the General Election. The ‘green surge’ in Cardiff has seen the membership grow by over 100 per cent in the last few months, and Greens across Wales are experiencing an unprecedented increase in voter intentions. With polling figures showing we could attract up to 11 per cent of the vote across England and Wales, our Party’s vote in Penarth with its lively Green minded community is set to outperform many other areas.’’

She added: "Elections are no longer predictable. Cardiff South and Penarth is going to be one of those gloriously unpredictable constituencies, and local voters in their droves are telling us that they will be proud to vote Green. “

Wales Green Party will be standing a full slate of candidates across all parliamentary constituencies in the South Wales Central area, including the Vale of Glamorgan. The full list of candidates will be published in the near future.