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Voters deserve a Senedd Member who will represent them instead of toeing a party line, according to Taran Clayton, an independent candidate for the Casnewydd Islwyn constituency.

As the only independent in the running for the area, he wants to represent voters who “don’t feel listened to” and are disillusioned with party politics – and has also made Islwyn the proud focus of his election campaign.

“One of the biggest things I find is that people don’t vote because they don’t think any change comes of it,” he said. “Being independent means you can listen to [people] and vote in the ways that they want.

“You’re not stuck to a party line or party policy, rather just in the interest of the constituents.”

He accepts taking on large political parties makes him an “underdog”, but relishes the challenge and believes the people he has met while canvassing appreciate “someone who’s coming around listening for a change”.

“At the end of the day, I’m not shouting about what the other parties intend to do or how they’ve governed – it’s more about just showing that I’m here to represent them and give them an option.”

Mr Clayton said if he is elected, he will call for more action to tackle potholes, improved access to GPs and hospital appointments, and a fairer system of investment for smaller communities that feel “left out” at the expense of bigger towns or cities.

These are the issues he’s heard the most complaints about while walking more than 60 miles around the constituency to canvas voters, he said.

Mr Clayton decided to stand in the election after feeling party politics had become too “divisive” and believing “we can do better”.

He is also critical of recent electoral changes he suggests have weakened the relationship between voters and their representatives.

The former seats of Islwyn, Newport West and Newport East have been merged into one super constituency that will elect six representatives from party lists, rather than individual candidates.

“I feel it’s important to be able to represent an area,” he said. “I think the new election system, having six people elected over a larger area muddles accountability and responsibility –  it’s easier for an elected member to blame another.

“It’s harder for people to reach out and say, ‘OK, who is actually representing me? Who is my direct, responsible and accountable elected member?’”

The changes have encouraged him to take a decidedly Islwyn-focused approach to his election campaign, because “It’s my home, it’s where I grew up”.

“There’s no way I could fully represent the 220,000 population that is the whole of Islwyn and Newport,” he added. “So I’ve decided to focus my campaign on Islwyn. That doesn’t stop me being able to raise any concerns I hear from constituents in Newport.”

But asked whether this is a risky approach – prioritising Islwyn over a city with around 160,000 residents – Mr Clayton admits his plan is a “double-edged sword”.

“It is a risk, but I don’t want to be overpromising that I can represent them fully,” he said, adding the benefit of “focusing on Islwyn” has been to develop “homegrown support” in places like Abercarn, Blackwood, and Newbridge.

“So it is a trade-off, but it’s what I believe in at the end of the day,” he added. “That’s why I would rather [focus on] Islwyn, because that’s what I believe it should be – someone distinctly accountable.”

The new electoral system should mean a wider variety of candidates represents each constituency – and recent polling suggests no party is on track to win an overall majority of seats.

On the prospect of helping any parties to form a coalition, or to lend them support to pass budgets, Mr Clayton said he would only work with others who can prove their policies will “work” and are “in line with what I believe our constituents want”.

“If they can’t provide that, then no, I wouldn’t agree to work with any party,” he added.

Instead, if elected he will “prioritise local government, public spending efficiencies and health and social care” and “do my best to represent my constituents’ concerns and scrutinize policy, bills and budgets” on residents’ behalf.

Taran Clayton’s pitch to the voters of Casnewydd Islwyn

“I’m confident I’ve gauged your values, concerns and priorities [to be] the best representative on your behalf and to be your voice in the Senedd. Having walked over 60 miles listening to you, I’ve met many of you who have given up on the idea that change can happen. I don’t blame you. It does feel more and more that public consultations are ignored or decisions aren’t explained, and those asking questions are given lip service. It’s not good enough. But I don’t think we can give up or get complacent. Every vote matters.”

Full list of candidates in Casnewydd Islwyn

Welsh Conservatives (six candidates)

• 1. Natasha Asghar
• 2. Toby Jones
• 3. Jake Enea
• 4. Georgie Webb
• 5. Adam Morris
• 6. Rebecca Mamhende

Green Party (six candidates)

• 1. Lauren James
• 2. Philip Davies
• 3. Zaynab Greengrass
• 4. Kerry Vosper
• 5. David Mayer
• 6. Andrew Were

Heritage Party (one candidate)

• 1. Mike Ford

Open Party (two candidates)

• 1. Justna Muhith
• 2. John Horan

Plaid Cymru (six candidates)

• 1. Peredur Owen Griffiths
• 2. Lyn Ackerman
• 3. Rhys Mills
• 4. Joshua Rawcliffe
• 5. Jonathan Clark
• 6. Sarah Henton

Reform UK (six candidates)

• 1. Dan Thomas
• 2. Art Wright
• 3. Marie-Claire Lea
• 4. Nick Jones
• 5. Rebecca Senior
• 6. Tomos Llewelyn

Welsh Labour (seven candidates)

• 1. Jayne Bryant
• 2. Rhianon Passmore
• 3. Chris Carter
• 4. Rhian Howells
• 5. Julie Sangani
• 6. Stephen Marshall
• 7. David Chinnick

Welsh Liberal Democrats (six candidates)

• 1. Mike Hamilton
• 2. John Miller
• 3. Nurul Islam
• 4. Harun Rashid
• 5. Mary Lloyd
• 6. Jeff Evans

Individual candidates (one)

• Taran Clayton