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Caerphilly’s Member of Parliament Wayne David has announced he will be stepping down at the next General Election, which is due to be held in 2024.

Speaking to the General Committee of his Constituency Labour Party on Friday, February 11, Mr David, who was elected in 2001, said: “It is with some sadness that I have decided to retire at the next General Election.

“The reason is quite simple – I will be 65 in a few months’ time and if I were re-elected at the next election, I could still be an MP at the age of 70. While some may disagree, I think at that age I would not be able to represent my constituents as effectively as I would like. It is time to make way for a younger person.

“It has been my privilege to be the MP for Caerphilly for nearly 21 years and I would like to thank local Labour Party members and the people of the Caerphilly constituency for all their wonderful support over this time.

“I shall of course continue to work hard for my constituency until the General Election, whenever that is, and my loyalty to the Labour Party is as strong as ever. I believe under Keir Starmer Labour has a very good chance of winning the next General Election and I will be doing all I can to help bring about that victory.”

Mr David succeeded Ron Davies as the Labour MP for Caerphilly in the 2001 election. Prior to that he was a Member of European Parliament for ten years from 1989.

In 1999 he stood down as an MEP to stand in the first Welsh Assembly election in the Rhondda – infamously and unexpectedly losing the seat to Plaid Cymru.