The Islwyn Labour Party has chosen its candidate to fight for the seat in the forthcoming general election.
Current Islwyn MP Don Touhig’s Parliamentary researcher Chris Evans has been chosen by local members as the seat’s candidate for May’s general election.
Mr Touhig announced in January that he would not be contesting the seat he won in 1997.
Mr Evans said: “It means a lot to be selected in Islwyn, a constituency I know inside out through my work and I’m really relishing the fight in the coming election.”
The selection of candidates for the seat was the cause of a split in the local party with four councillors quitting Labour in protest at the shortlist.
Caerphilly councillors Dave Rees, Phyllis Griffiths, who both represent Risca West, Pengam’s Jonathan Wilson and Ynysddu’s Jan Jones wrote to the Prime Minister expressing their anger that local members had been overlooked.
Councillor Jan Jones later U-turned on her decision and returned to the party last week. Dave Rees has said he will contest the election as an independent candidate.
The decision to stand is likely to split the Labour vote – something Plaid Cymru candidate Steffan Lewis is probably hoping will work in his favour.