THE Brexit Party has announced its parliamentary candidate for Montgomeryshire.

Oliver Lewis, a resident of Montgomery, will contest the constituency in the next general election.

Descended from a Welsh-speaking mining family from Carmarthenshire, Oliver is a public transport campaigner and Historian, presently studying for his Doctorate at the University of Oxford.

He said: “Although I was a Remainer until just before the referendum, and sympathise still with some arguments for Remain, the decision by 56.5 per cent of Montgomeryshire’s electorate to leave the European Union must be respected and implemented if democracy is to mean anything.

"As a former Conservative, and having also been a member of the Labour Party, I am disgusted by both of Britain’s major parties. Both are responsible for a catalogue of policy failures before Brexit – from rail privatisation to the Iraq War - and in many respects the vote to Leave was a consequence of these.

"In Montgomeryshire I will stand on a pledge to fight for more resources from Westminster for Mid-Wales’ NHS – including representing Monty forcefully with health service providers in Shropshire - and more investment in the dilapidated and unreliable railway that serves Welshpool, Newtown and Machynlleth.

"I will be an advocate for the county’s farmers, ensuring any financial support they receive in subsidy be maintained at existing levels until at least 2025, and also resist further windfarm development. Montgomeryshire’s unspoilt countryside is its greatest asset, and one I will protect from over-development.

"I believe this Parliament and our political class have failed Wales so spectacularly, at least since the Iraq War, and with the ensuing expenses scandals, austerity and Brexit malaise."

Mr Lewis promises to:

- Not employ any family member as constituency or Westminster staff;

- Not to claim any second home allowances or expense anything not directly related to work as an MP;

- Sacrifice half of the £80,000 salary to create a new ‘Shire Fund’ for the distribution of small grants for community benefit.

He added: "This would take the salary of Montgomeryshire’s MP back to 1996 levels, where they belong. I resent, like so many people, the idea that there never seems to be money to invest in anything, until it comes to MPs’ salaries and County Councillors’ allowances. The Brexit Party is serious, and I am serious, about changing politics for good’’