I am standing in the Senedd elections for Gŵyr Abertawe constituency because I believe I bring a unique combination of political experience, community activism, and an unwavering commitment to public service.

Together, we can build on the progress we've made—and deliver the future our communities deserve.

I’m proud to call Swansea West and Gower my home. It’s where I've grown up, where I've worked, raised my family, and it's where I've campaigned.

As a mother of mixed-heritage children, I want Wales to be a place where everyone feels they belong - injustice and discrimination have no place in our communities and I’ll always stand up for fairness and inclusion.

I’m a proud member of both Unite and Unison, a community volunteer, and I help manage our small family-run café — all of which have grounded me in the realities people face every day.

This is my home, and I’m standing to serve — to make sure people feel seen, heard, and valued in the politics that shapes their lives.

Listening, learning, and taking action — exactly how it should be.
Thanks to everyone who took the time to chat with us!.

I am standing because I believe I bring a unique combination of political experience,
community activism,
and an unwavering
commitment to public service.

We face significant challenges: public services under pressure, rising inequality, housing insecurity, climate threats, and growing political disillusionment—especially among young people. But we also have tools for real, transformative change.

I believe the next term is critical for Swansea, for Gower, and for Wales

My journey into politics started in the community...

working with the Swansea Bay Racial Equality Council, the African Community Centre, and later with Swansea Council to support some of Swansea's most disengaged young people.

These early experiences taught me that change starts with listening - and that the most effective leaders are those who show up, consistently, with humility and purpose.

That principle has guided me ever since. As a proud member of the Labour Party in Uplands Branch and Swansea West CLP, I’ve campaigned in general, Senedd and local elections—not because it’s expected, but because I believe that knocking on doors and having honest, empathetic conversations is where our movement is strongest.

I’ll fight for climate justice, affordable housing, strong local government, and better opportunities for young people. I will also work to make our politics more inclusive, accessible and representative.

I will bring energy, strategic thinking, and an understanding of how to deliver for working people.

Real change only happens when everyone’s voice is heard.

On the Ground...

I've campaigned in every kind of election — local, Senedd and general.

In Government...

I’ve worked across every level of our political system —
and delivered at each one.

As a special advisor to Mark Drakeford and Vaughan Gething, I helped shape key policies on housing, climate, and local government.

In the Manifesto...

I've helped to write manifestos for Senedd elections, general elections and leadership elections - transforming Labour values into real, deliverable policies.

In the Community...

Managing a busy constituency office — working daily with constituents, councillors and local groups to solve real problems.

I know how government works — and what it feels like when it doesn’t.

That's why I'm standing.

In 2019, I became a special advisor in Welsh Government, serving under Mark Drakeford’s leadership.

I worked across key portfolios - housing, local government, and climate change - contributing to urgent decision-making while also helping to build for the long term. I played a part in the early development of the Social Partnership and Public Procurement (Wales) Act, laying the foundations for a new model of government based on cooperation, not competition.

That experience reaffirmed my belief: politics works best when it is done with people, not to them.

I also remain active in my community—volunteering with Friends of Cwmdonkin Park, helping run our family café, and raising two children who inspire my fight for racial justice and equal opportunity every single day.

I currently work as a political advisor to Julie James MS, managing her constituency office and helping deliver for local residents.

✔️ Over 3,200 new social homes in just one year.

✔️ A brand new Welsh Housing Quality Standard — making homes greener, warmer, and more spacious.

✔️ A major investment in retrofitting — solar panels, insulation, heat pumps.

✔️ More support for tenants and disabled people to live independently.

I worked at the heart of Welsh Government helping deliver:

DELIVERING HOMES THAT WORK FOR PEOPLE

✔️ Brought in the Renting Homes (Wales) Act — one clear contract, better safety, and 6-month eviction notices

✔️ Launched the Leasing Scheme Wales to give renters on low incomes better, more secure homes.

✔️ Gave councils new powers to charge up to 300% council tax on second homes and long-term empty homes.

✔️ Tightened the rules on holiday lets and allowed councils to require planning permission to change how property would be used.

I helped to protect renters and rebalance the housing market:

STANDING UP FOR RENTERS AND TACKLING SECOND HOME

✔️  Achieved full Local Development Plan coverage across Wales

✔️ Introduced Strategic Development Plans to help councils tackle big challenges together — like flooding or transport

✔️  Supported the passage of the Infrastructure (Wales) Act 2024, cutting red tape for clean energy and major projects

✔️ Strengthened planning policy to protect biodiversity, green spaces and support Net Zero.

Planning and infrastructure might sound a bit technical — but they shape everything from how we tackle climate change to where our kids go to school.

BETTER PLANNING, STRONGER PLACES

✔️  Over £6.1 billion in core funding to local authorities

✔️ Extra support for schools, social care and fair pay

✔️  New powers under the Local Government & Elections Act — including votes at 16 and online democracy

✔️ A new Partnership Agreement to give councils more certainty and a stronger voice.

Local government is the backbone of our communities — and during my time in government, I worked hard to make sure councils had the powers and funding they needed.

BACKING LOCAL COUNCILS TO DELIVER FOR YOU

✔️  We housed every rough sleeper during the pandemic

✔️ Delivered 1,900 innovative homes as part of a £140m programme tackling housing need and climate change

✔️  Set up Welcome Centres for Ukrainian refugees — offering safe housing, healthcare and community support

✔️ Continued support for bereaved families — with free child funerals and a £500 grant for extra costs.

Whether it was a global pandemic or a refugee crisis, the work I was part of always focused on protecting people.

PUTTING PEOPLE FIRST IN TIME OF CRISIS

✔️  £314 million invested through the Transforming Towns programme

✔️ Over 600 empty buildings brought back into use — for homes, shops, and community spaces

✔️  Public spaces improved through greening, small parks, and better streets

✔️ New homes created in unused buildings — including safe spaces for homeless young people

I am proud to have worked on regeneration policies that are transforming our high streets and communities across Wales.

BRINGING LIFE BACK TO OUR TOWN CENTRES

✔️ A new “Town Centre First” policy to keep public services at the heart of our communities

This election is a fight for our lives...

We’re heading into one of the most important Senedd elections in a generation.

• Our communities are being targeted by division and distraction.
  
  

• Trust in politics is fragile.
  
  

• People feel let down, unheard, and unrepresented.

That’s why we need strong, experienced candidates —
not just with policy knowledge, but with deep roots in their communities.

Candidates who show up, who listen,
and who deliver.

I’ve spent my career working in government and on the ground — turning Labour values into real change.

Accessible, Quality Housing — For Everyone

Everyone deserves a safe, warm, affordable home.

I'll continue to champion bold housing policies — from building new social housing to retrofitting existing homes — to ensure we tackle homelessness, affordability, and poor housing standards head-on.

Better Opportunities for Young People

Young people deserve more than survival — they deserve to thrive.

I'll fight for better education, mental health support, affordable housing, and good green jobs — ensuring that every young person in Wales has a fair shot at a secure and fulfilling future

Strengthened Local Government

Our councils are the backbone of public services — from education to care to housing.

I'll push for stronger powers and fairer funding so local government can better serve the people they represent, and respond to community needs with confidence and ambition.

Improved Protections for Our Environment

Tackling the climate crisis isn't a luxury — it's a necessity.

I will support action on clean energy, sustainable transport, biodiversity, and climate-resilient infrastructure. We need to protect our natural environment and create good green jobs while we do it.

A Country Where Everyone feels they Belong

No one should feel left out or left behind.

I'll fight for a Wales where every community is valued, every voice is heard, and every person — regardless of race, background, disability, or identity — can thrive.

If selected, I'll fight for a Wales that delivers...

A principled voice for Labour - and for you

As a proud member of both Unite and Unison, I believe in collective voice, strong unions, and the Welsh model of social partnership. That approach —based on mutual respect between workers, employers and government — delivers better outcomes, and I will always champion it.

That’s why I’m honoured to have received the Unison Link endorsement for this selection. I’m grateful for their trust, and if elected, I will work tirelessly to ensure that public service workers — so often the backbone of our communities — are not just heard, but empowered.

Want to get involved
or learn more?

Please email me at: sara@gwyrabertawe.wales

I'd love to hear from you