The youngest female Conservative candidate to stand for the Senedd and Deputy Chairman of the Conservative Women’s Organisation in Wales, Abigail Mainon, is calling on women across North Wales to celebrate International Women’s Day.

International Women's Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender equality.

Marked annually on March 8th, International Women's Day (IWD) is also one of the most important days of the year to lobby for accelerated gender parity and fundraise for female-focused charities

Abigail, who is standing for the Conservatives in Alyn and Deeside in May’s Senedd Elections and sits as the 5th Tory on their North Wales regional candidates list, said:

“At a time when so many of us are unable to see the female role models in our lives, such as our Nans, Grans, Mums, Aunts, and Best-friends in person, it is more important than ever to celebrate them and women kind this International Women’s Day.

“Women across the UK have stepped up during this pandemic, whether it’s meeting the task of home schooling and online learning, juggling childcare and working from home, working on the frontline to keep the country going or fighting the pandemic head on in our amazing NHS and I would like to say thank you to you all.”

The Conservative Women’s Organisation (CWO) is one of the oldest women’s political organisations in the world and celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2019. The CWO provides training, mentoring and speaking opportunities.  Encouraging and supporting women who wish to become involved at all levels of public life or in their local communities: From school governors to public appointments, Councillors to MPs. The CWO is there to help support all Conservative candidates through CWO Development, both men and women can join their courses and there is also an affiliated branch for younger members called Conservative Young Women, a dedicated support and development network for women aged 18-35.

Abigail added:

“The Conservative Women’s Organisation in Wales is marking  IWD on Social Media posting inspirational video clips from Welsh female Tory MPs, MSs and candidates. We will be attending an online event to mark the day hosted by Virginia Crosbie MP for Ynys Mon, and I have also been invited to join the Conservative Party Chairman Amanda Milling via zoom to celebrate female candidate’s achievements.”

A former pupil of Ysgol Emrys ap Iwan in Abergele, Abigail, aged 25, is the Youngest female Conservative candidate to stand for the Senedd in Wales and is currently the youngest Welsh Conservative Association Chairman at the head of the Vale of Clwyd Conservative group.

A senior campaigner in the recent re-election of Dr James Davies MP and of Gareth Davies’s Senedd campaign in the Vale of Clwyd, Abigail encourages women of all ages, political affiliations and walks of life to get involved in politics, to stand up and be a voice for yourselves and for your peers.

She said:

“I am keenly involved in helping my community I volunteer for a small local charity, I’m a volunteer counsellor at Childline in Prestatyn and I help on the frontline as a Covid-19 response volunteer at Deeside Vaccination Centre, In these roles I work alongside some amazing, dedicated people and the difference made by their efforts and these organisations is tremendous, however there is still red tape and still so much more that can be done to improve lives across North Wales, and this change can only be made by taking your seat at the table. No more is politics a man’s world or an old boys club, we have a voice and we must use it.”

Abigail will be contesting the Alyn and Deeside seat in the upcoming Welsh Parliamentary elections in May, she is campaigning to;

Improve access to local health services
Currently 1 in 5 people are on a waiting list for NHS treatment – and we deserve better. I am fighting for reliable mental health services, GP accessibility and treatment provisions locally.

Driving investment in local transport links
By improving local transport links we can get our economy moving. I am campaigning for investment in local roads like the A55 and A494 and more reliable bus and train services

Seek investment in businesses, protecting and creating jobs
Jobs in key industries across the Alyn and Deeside have been significantly impacted by Covid-19. I am supporting local businesses to survive and thrive throughout the pandemic and beyond.

Working with the Local Authority
Fighting for a fair annual financial settlement from the Welsh Government and holding Flintshire County Council to account to make sure that residents and business receive high quality services.

Bring an end to the North / South divide
For too long the Labour-led Cardiff-centric government has left North Wales behind. I will stand up for residents and businesses across Alyn and Deeside to secure the investment we need here.

And you can take her survey here to share your views;

https://www.alyndeesideconservatives.org.uk/form/my-plan-for-alyn-and-deeside

Get in touch with Abigail directly by emailing abigail@alyndeesideconservatives.org.uk or follow her campaign on social media @abigailmainon