Jayne Cowan - Howell's Llandaff 1985-1992

Local Government Council Candidate

I was educated at Howells School, Llandaff and after completing the Sixth Form, I went to University at Cardiff and obtained a BA Hons Degree in Science Education with Qualified Teaching Status.  During my time at school and University, I was always very involved with politics, and supported many politicians in Local Government, Parliamentary and European Elections.

After teaching for a year, I became selected as a Local Government Candidate, and the following year, I won my seat and was elected as a Councillor for Rhiwbina.  My own group on the Council have re-elected me year on year as the Chief Whip of the Group.  This is a challenging position, but it does mean I attend Leaders and Whips Meetings so I make contributions and suggestions on the policies of the Council. 

Due to pressures on the Council, I gave up teaching and concentrated my full time efforts to my work on the Council.  I am the party spokesperson for Families and Health and sit on the Licensing and Public Protection Committee and also the planning committee.

I hold monthly ward surgeries with my colleagues and attend many meetings in my ward and in the City.

If you prove yourself as a good hard working ward member, then often you get selected as a Council Candidate, then you can apply for seats and if you peresereve and show commitment, you can then stand for the National Assembly Elections, Parliamentary Elections or European Parliament Elections.  You can also pursue a career as a researcher, agent or political official.

I was then selected as a prospective Assembly Candidate for Pontypridd, and have started working as a political researcher for David Jones, Assembly Member (Regional) for North Wales.  I draft questions Mr Jones can pose to Cabinet Members, assist in writing speeches and supplementary questions and generally keep my finger on the political pulse in Wales.  The job is exciting and no two days are ever the same – there is always a pressing issue to research.  It is so rewarding seeing your work in action.

I would be happy to be contacted via the Minerva Network Development Office.  I can provide work experience in both fields.