Always on
This project successfully funded on 12th April 2026, you can still support them with a donation.
Taran Clayton – MS/AS Candidate for Islwyn
Blackwood, Caerphilly County Borough, United Kingdom
Aim
Support me, Taran Clayton, to reach and listen to more of Islwyn's constituents in my candidacy to become a MS for Casnewydd Islwyn.
What is the Senedd?
The Senedd is Wales’s legislature and drafts, debates, and votes on laws, known as Bills, most of which are introduced by the Welsh Government.
The Welsh Government is the executive and decides how taxes are spent in Wales and presents draft budgets to the Senedd each year.
The Senedd scrutinises the Welsh Government, including Ministers who develop policy and lead government departments.
Senedd has tax powers to control:
- local taxes (business rates and council tax)
- land transaction tax (the devolved equivalent to stamp duty land tax)
- landfill disposals tax (replacing landfill tax in Wales)
- Welsh Rates of Income tax (WRIT)
Senedd has key devolved areas of responsibility in:
- Health & Social Services: Policy and funding for NHS Wales.
- Education: Schools, colleges, and higher education.
- Environment: Protecting and managing Wales's natural resources.
- Housing: Housing policy and homelessness.
- Transport: Roads (except trunk roads), public transport, and cycling.
- Local Government: Structure and funding of local councils.
The essential committees I aim to represent your voices in:
- Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee -scrutinising how public resources are used across Wales —focusing on economy, efficiency, and effectiveness.
- Finance Committee - scrutinising Welsh Government and local government spending and oversees the governance of theWales Audit Office.
- (Senedd) Business Committee - debating needs of accountability and representation formats for constituents.
- Local Government and Housing Committee – ensuring local budgeting is where it needs to be.
- Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee - focusing on businesses, economic development and skills .
- Children, Young People and Education Committee - focusing on education and youth development.
- Health and Social Care Committee - scrutinising resource expenditure and policy.
‘Who I am’
I am Taran Clayton, raised in Blackwood, where I attended the Welsh-language comprehensive Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni and played rugby for Blackwood RFC juniors to youth. Like my grandfather before me, I had the privilege of captaining Blackwood Youth.
I went on to study a master’s degree in physics at the University of Bath, where I was an active committee member and later Chair of the Welsh Society.
While I now work as a scientist in industry, I have returned home because I believe that Islwyn deserves better.
I want to represent my community because I believe I have what it takes to listen, to work hard, and to best represent your values with integrity.
The System
Members of the Senedd are now elected through a closed proportional list.
In Newport Islwyn, 6 seats are chosen by over 140,000 voters — instead of a seat to each local community.
A constituency should feel like our own. It should have someone distinctly accountable. That’s why I’m standing with a focus on Islwyn — to represent my local community.
Parties now present a closed list of up to 6 candidates in order —which candidates in what order is the parties' choice, not yours.
That’s why I’m standing with my name on the ballot — to give accountability to who your representation is.
In the Senedd I would implement your values when scrutinising and decision making by applying;
- Evidence, Fairness, Simplicity.
Your Place. Your Politician. Your Politics
I believe the best politician comes from listening first, using expertise wisely, and acting in line with the values of the people you represent.
It requires accountability. Someone local. Someone you know. Someone whose name is on the ballot.
My politics don’t emerge from a party machine; they emerge from the likes of the Chartists. Like them I believe in representation with your voice behind it, not endless new policies and unfulfilled promises of change.
Most politicians have only known politics; it is an echo chamber I come without. I bring a fresh perspective and an accountability that appears to have been lost behind party banners.
I want to understand my constituents’ concerns and then draw on the Senedd resources of independent experts, evidence, and scrutiny mechanisms in shaping proposals around your local views and judging policy with your values. That requires independence of thought, not available to those whipped to a party line.
Listening first
My most vital role as a prospective Member of the Senedd is to understand your values, your concerns, your priorities.
I believe the best way to do so is by personally listening to you in the streets. That is why I have outlined to come to you, Islwyn, on the dates seen here.
I look forward to meeting with you and taking note of your views and values on board in hopes of representing your voice.
If I don’t have the chance to meet you personally or would like to volunteer on my campaign please feel free to write to either my address, email or via social media messaging. Let me know that you are a local constituent of Islwyn with a voice to be heard.
Donations
To help me in my cause you can give a donation to my campaign.
It will be used towards recovering the costs of advertising, creation and distribution of material to constituents, transport, staff costs and administration.
If the donations raised cover my costs, any excess will be given towards the Alzheimer's society UK, a charity close to my family.
Donations are regulated by The Senedd Cymru (Representation of the People) Order 2025 (SCO 2025) and the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (PPERA).
Details of your address are collected to ensure your donation is permissible under the Act. By making a donation to this campaign, you should be aware that:
- You are donating to Casnewydd Islwyn candidate Taran Clayton.
- If your donation is more than £500, checks will be made to ensure your name is listed on the UK electoral register.
- You must use your own funds to make a donation.
- Donations are not tax-deductible.
For more information, please see http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk.
Published and promoted by Taran Clayton of Hill Close, Gellihaf, Blackwood, NP12 2QE.
//
Beth yw'r Senedd?
Corff deddfwriaethol yw’r Senedd sy’n drafftio, dadlau ac yn pleidleisio ar ddeddfau - a chaiff eu galw’n Biliau - gyda’r mwyafrif yn cael eu cyflwyno gan Lywodraeth Cymru.
Llywodraeth Cymru yw’r corff gweithredol sy’n penderfynu ar sut i wario trethi yng Nghymru ac yn cyflwyno cyllidebau drafft i’r Senedd pob blwyddyn.
Mae’r Senedd yn craffu ar Lywodraeth Cymru gan gynnwys gweinidogion sy’n datblygu polisi ac yn arwain adrannau llywodraethol.
Mae gan y Senedd pwerau trethi i reoli:
- Trethi lleol (ardrethi busnes a threthi’r cyngor)
- Treth Trafodiadau Tir
- Treth Gwarediadau Tirlenwi
- Cyfraddau Treth Incwm Cymru (CTIC)
Mae gan y Senedd cyfrifoldebau datganoledig o fewn:
- Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol: Polisi a chyllid am GIG Cymru.
- Addysg: Ysgolion, colegau, ac addysg uwch.
- Amgylchedd: Amddiffyn a rheoli adnoddau naturiol Cymru.
- Tai: Polisi tai a phobl digartref.
- Trafnidiaeth: Ffyrdd (gan eithrio cefnffyrdd), trafnidiaeth gyhoeddus a beicio.
- Llywodraeth Leol: Strwythur a chyllid y cynghorau lleol.
Y pwyllgorau allweddol yr wyf yn amcanu i’ch cynrychioli :
- Y Pwyllgor Cyfrifon Cyhoeddus a Gweinyddiaeth Gyhoeddus -Yn craffu ar ddefnydd adnoddau cyhoeddus ar draws Cymru - yncanolbwyntio ar economi, effeithlonrwydd ac effeithiolrwydd.
- Y Pwyllgor Cyllid - yn craffu ar Lywodraeth Cymru a gwariantllywodraethau lleol ac yn goruchwylio llywodraethu SwyddfaArchwilio Cymru.
- Pwyllgor Busnes (Senedd) - yn dadlau anghenion fformatauatebolrwydd a chynrychiolaeth am etholwyr.
- Y Pwyllgor Llywodraeth Leol a Thai – yn sicrhau bod cyllidebau lleol yn yllefydd cywir.
- Pwyllgor yr Economi, Masnach a Materion Gwledig - yn canolbwyntio arfusnesau, datblygiad economaidd a sgiliau.
- Y Pwyllgor Plant, Pobl Ifanc ac Addysg - yn canolbwyntio ar addysg adatblygiad ieuenctid.
- Y Pwyllgor Iechyd a Gofal Cymdeithasol - yn craffu ar wariant adnoddaua pholisi.
'Pwy ydw i?'
Taran Clayton ydw i. Cefais fy magu yng Nghoed Duon, mynychais Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni, a chwaraeais i glwb rygbi Coed Duon trwy gydol fy ieuenctid. Fel fy nhad-cu, ges i'r fraint o fod yn gapten i Ieuenctid Coed Duon.
Es i ymlaen i astudio gradd meistr yn ffiseg ym Mhrifysgol Caerfaddon ble oeddwn yn aelod gweithredol ac yna'n Gadeirydd yGymdeithas Gymraeg.
Er i mi nawr gweithio o fewn y diwydiant gwyddonol, mae fy nghred bod Islwyn yn haeddu gwell wedi fy arwain i ddychwelyd adref.
Rydw i eisiau cynrychioli fy nghymuned. Mae gen i’r awydd i wrando, i weithio'n galed, ac i orau cynrychioli eich diddordebau gydauniondeb.
Y System
Fe gaiff aelodau o’r Senedd eu hethol trwy restr gyfrannol gaeedig.
Yng Nghasnewydd Islwyn, mae 6 sedd yn cael eu dewis gan dros 140,000 o bleidleiswyr yn lle penodi sedd i bob cymuned leol.
Dylai etholaeth teimlo’n bersonol; mae angen i rywun fod yn atebol.
Dyna pam yr wyf yn sefyll gyda chanolbwynt ar Islwyn - i gynrychioli fy nghymuned leol.
Mae partïon nawr yn cyflwyno rhestr gaeedig o lan i 6 ymgeisydd - pa ymgeisydd a threfn ei blaenoriaethau yw dewis y parti, nid chi.
Gan sefyll gyda fy enw i ar y papur pleidleisio, rydw i’n rhoddi atebolrwydd a chyfrifoldeb i’r person sy’n eich cynrychioli.
Yn y Senedd, byddaf yn ystyried eich gwerthoedd wrth graffu a gwneud penderfyniadau gan weithredu:
- Tystiolaeth, Tegwch, Symlrwydd
Eich Ardal. Eich Gwleidydd. Eich Gwleidyddiaeth
Y gwleidyddion gorau yw’r rhai sy’n gwrando yn gyntaf gan ddefnyddio arbenigedd yn synhwyrol. Maen nhw’n gweithredu yn seiliedigar werthoedd y bobl maent yn cynrychioli.
Mae gofyn am rywun atebol. Rhywun lleol. Rhywun cyfarwydd. Rhywun gyda’i enw ar y papur pleidleisio.
Mae fy ngwleidyddiaeth wedi'i gwreiddio mewn cymuned. Fel y Siartwyr, rydw i'n credu mewn cynrychiolaeth sy'n cryfhau eichlleisiau, nid polisïau newydd diddiwedd ac addewidion o newid sydd heb eu cyflawni.
I ran fwyaf o wleidyddion, gwleidyddiaeth yw'r unig beth maent yn adnabod. Rydw i’n cynnig persbectif newydd - persbectif ffresgydag atebolrwydd sy'n cael eu colli tu ôl i faneri partïon.
Mae eisiau arnaf i ddeall pryderon fy etholwyr gan alw ar adnoddau’r Senedd megis arbenigwyr, tystiolaeth a mecanwaith craffu iadeiladu cynigion o gwmpas eich golygfeydd lleol. Byddaf yn beirniadu polisi gan ystyried eich gwerthoedd chi. Mae hyn yn gofyn amannibyniaeth i feddwl, rhywbeth sy’n anodd i ymgeiswyr parti ei ennill.
Gwrando yn gyntaf
y rôl fwyaf hanfodol fel aelod darpar o’r Senedd ywdeall eich gwerthoedd, eich pryderon, eichblaenoriaethau.
Y ffordd gorau o weithredu hon yw gwrando arnoch chi'nbersonol yn y strydoedd.
Dyna pam rydw i wedi nodi'r dyddiadau a welir ymai weld chi, Islwyn.
Rydw i’n edrych ymlaen at gwrdd â chi gan nodi eich golygfeydd a’ch gwerthoedd gyda’r nod o gynrychiolieich lleisiau.
Os nad oes gen i’r cyfle i gwrdd â chi’n bersonol neumae eisiau arnoch i wirfoddoli i'm hymgyrch, maecroeso i chi ysgrifennu i’m cyfeiriad, e-bost neu trwy gyfryngau cymdeithasol. Rydw i eisiau gwybod eich bodyn etholwr Islwyn lleol gyda llais sydd angen cael ei chlywed.
Funding method
Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made