A teacher who lives in Dubai is hoping to be elected as a councillor in Wales’ third largest city. The Middle Eastern metropolis, best known for its skyscrapers and luxury shopping, is not usually associated with Welsh politics. But Shane Williams, who has worked there teaching English for five years, is determined to create a new connection.
Election nomination papers sent by Mr Williams to officials at Newport council give his address as an apartment block in Dubai, which is in the United Arab Emirates. He is standing in the Tredegar Park and Marshfield ward for Propel, the pro-Welsh independence party founded by former MS Neil McEvoy. See more stories on Welsh politics here.
Cllr Matthew Evans, leader of the opposition Conservative group on the council, said: “I was absolutely astonished when I saw his address on the list of nominated candidates - I had to do a double take. In all my years in local politics I have never seen anything like this.
