The Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney constituency covers the Darran Valley, New Tredegar, Moriah, Pontlottyn and Twyn Carno wards to the north of Caerphilly County Borough.
The parliamentary seat has been held by Labour since 1983, and has been held by Gerald Jones since 2015, when he gained 53.9% of the votes, followed by UKIP and the Conservatives. With turnout at 53.2%, Labour won 17,619 of the possible 32,715 votes from an electorate of 61,716.
The Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney constituency sits on the Heads of the Valleys and contains two of the top ten most deprived electoral wards in Wales, according to the Welsh Government’s Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation – Twyn Carno and Merthyr Vale.
There are five candidates standing in Merthyr Tydfil & Rhymney:
DAVID ROWLANDS, UKIP: Wales voted overwhelmingly for Brexit last year.
UKIP is the only party committed to the UK leaving the European Union. Despite what Theresa May is saying we must never lose sight of the fact that she was a Remainer, as indeed were Labour MPs who campaigned to keep us in the EU.
It is vitally important that UKIP has a strong vote in this election as we are the party which can promise to pressure the Tories to deliver the Brexit you voted for. Voting for Tory, Labour, Lib Dem, Greens or Plaid is a vote to remain in the EU.
GERALD JONES, LABOUR: Gerald Jones is standing for the Merthyr Tydfil & Rhymney constituency.
The 1984-85 Miner’s strike led Gerald, age 14, to become active in supporting the miners.
He was a councillor in New Tredegar for 20 years and worked in the voluntary sector, supporting a number of charities and community groups with development, funding applications and training needs.
He was elected to Parliament in 2015, and has played an active role in forging strong links with community groups, schools and local businesses.
A vote for Welsh Labour will be a vote for a fairer and more equal country, in the interests of the many not just the privileged few.
AMY KITCHER, PLAID CYMRU: My name is Amy and I’m the Plaid Cymru candidate. I’m 37 and live with my husband and two children in Pentrebach, in Merthyr.
Until recently, I worked for a national dementia charity, helping people with dementia, their carers and families. I’m passionate about helping others and getting a fair deal for our communities.
I was part of the campaign that successfully opposed the Covanta Incinerator near Fochriw. If elected on June 8, I will work tirelessly to ensure that our area doesn’t lose out economically from a hard Brexit.
I will fight to protect local jobs and support businesses to find and develop new export opportunities.
PAULINE JORGENSEN, CONSERVATIVE: If elected I will work hard to bring about much needed change to the area.
I have extensive experience in politics and business, and will draw on that experience to secure new investment and skilled jobs in the area, and to attract and retain new businesses.
I am passionate about providing opportunity for all people to do well and to prosper – and this must start with a good education and support for the disadvantaged.
Merthyr Tydfil & Rhymney need better local services, and I will work with the local council to help bring about improvements.
On June 8, vote Welsh Conservative.
BOB GRIFFIN, LIBERAL DEMOCRATS: I want to represent this constituency in Westminster to fight for proper funding of our NHS with a penny on income tax, which will give our Welsh NHS an extra £330 million including more money for mental health and GP’s; to continue to give our children a better start in life with our Pupil Premium for the more deprived areas like Merthyr Tydfil & Rhymney, and our initiative to reduce class sizes; and to provide a clear and strong opposition to the Tories over their brutal hard Brexit.
I’m also passionate about the environment and have been a campaigner for the controlled closure of opencast coal mines in this area.
To see the candidates standing for Islwyn, click here, and for Caerphilly, click here.
Its time for a change what has Labour done for this valley, NOTHING can we really risk Corbyn being PM. He would destroy the UK, i would love to know where he is going to get all this money from to pay for it. It just doesnt add up
Corbyn attacks Theresa May & The Conservatives, but is unable to say how he will achieve all of his aims – the answer is simple,he will borrow and leave the country facing even greater austerity in years to come.
However,he will not then be in power and will no doubt lay the blame on the Conservatives.
“Borrowing for the many & not the few”
If Corbyn does by some miracle,win – surely,as the Remoaners did for Brexit ,we can demand a re run of the General Election ?
After the events last night in London, how on earth can we trust Labour and Corbyn. He wants to up immigration into this country, at this time of terror attacks we need to reduce the amount of people coming into Britain. I know people will say that they these people are British born, which I agree with but something needs to be done. Maybe instead of watching these people we should be rounding them up and deporting them, if they are British we need to imprison them. If Corbyn becomes PM and this happens we don’t need to worry because he will talk to them about the errors of their ways.
People need to think before voting Labour.
Horrendous incident in London – at least on this occasion the 3 alleged perpetrators were killed by armed police.
Corbyn is the terrrorists friend – he is deluded and will do nothing to protect us from such acts.
Thoughts at this time are with the victims; the injured and their families and loved ones, and also those who witnessed the incident.
Well done to the Emergency Services for their swift response and actions !
Been and done my duty to vote, lets hope the country doesnt make the same mistake as caerphilly borough and vote Labour