IN the last of our features where our reporters go on the General Election campaign trail with candidates from the four main parties in Wales, JESSICA BEST joins the Welsh Liberal Democrat’s Asghar Ali in Blackwood.

LIBERAL Democrat candidate for Islwyn Asghar Ali set out on the streets of Blackwood to try and recreate the “Nick Clegg effect” on Valleys voters.

Mr Ali, 65, said he had received a fantastic reception on the campaign trail after leader Mr Clegg’s strong performances in the first two televised leaders’ debates, and hopes that he can get voters in Islwyn as enthusiastic about their local Lib Dem candidate.

Mr Ali, currently a Cardiff city councillor, said he wants to see more economic development to Islwyn - an area he thinks has been largely “neglected” up until now - and believes the Liberal Democrats are the only party who can secure the financial recovery on a national scale.

Blackwood resident Rhys Amos said he was thinking about giving the party a chance to prove this by using his vote support the Lib Dems.

The 27-year-old said he has been out of work for a year after his temporary contract at a food factory in Rogerstone ended.

“It’s been so hard to find work again,” said Mr Amos, from Bridge Street.

“I would like to see someone getting in who will do more to help people struggling with that.”

For grandmother of eight June Cummings, it was the party who offered the best deal to families who would get her vote.

Mrs Cummings, also from Bridge Street, said: “I have voted Plaid Cymru previously, but I’m not sure who I’ll go for this time.”

William Street resident Elaine Hardman, 52, said her family comes from a strong Labour background but she too was undecided what she would do in the ballot box on May 6.

Ms Hardman, who works for Caerphilly council’s social services department, said the election issue she was most concerned about was public spending cuts.

She said: “It’s a big concern for me. Front line services are at risk, but vulnerable adults and children need to be protected.”

Jane Dudley, 51, said she was also concerned with how the next government would care for society’s most vulnerable.

Mrs Dudley, who said she too was still a floating voter, added: “The main issue I think is about the care of the elderly. My father is 82, and the fact that many elderly people have to sell their homes to pay for their care is terrible.

"We’re all getting older so we need something needs to be done.”