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Last year, controversial proposals which would see the Caerphilly parliamentary constituency broken up and divided amongst four other constituencies were put forward.
The proposals were put forward by the Boundary Commission for Wales, which was tasked with reducing the number of parliamentary constituencies in Wales from 40 to 32.
The changes would come into force before the next UK General Election, which will take place before December 2024.
What has been proposed?
Caerphilly town, Aber Valley and Bedwas, Trethomas, Machen would merge with the current Newport West constituency to create the new ‘Newport West and Caerphilly’ seat.
Meanwhile, Llanbradach, Ystrad Mynach, Hengoed and the St Catwg ward would become part of the Islwyn constituency, which will maintain all of its current territory, apart from Aberbargoed, which alongside Bargoed, Gilfach and the Upper Rhymney Valley, would become part of the new ‘Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney’ constituency.
Elsewhere, Nelson would become part of the new ‘Merthyr Tydfil and Aberdare’ constituency.
A public hearing into the proposals was held in Swansea on March 1, with Caerphilly’s Labour MP Wayne David speaking out against the plans.
Speaking at the hearing, Mr David said he had “absolutely no doubt in my mind that the affiliation of this area is with its immediate hinterland of the Rhymney valley rather than the western half of Newport City”.
He said this was the view of “virtually all residents in the Aber Valley, the Caerphilly basin and Bedwas, Trethomas and Machen,” and added: “I will also suggest that those communities to the north of Caerphilly town – Llanbradach, Ystrad Mynach and Hengoed – have much, much stronger links to the southern Rhymney valley than they do to communities much further to the east.”
The hearing was one of a number of public meetings being held by the Boundary Commission, giving people the opportunity to express their views on the proposals.
Why have the proposals been put forward?
These boundary changes are happening across the UK to ensure parliamentary constituencies contain roughly similar size electorates. Due to population changes over the years, these boundaries have been redrawn numerous times in the past.
While Wales loses seats, England’s number of seats will rise by ten to 543.
The number of seats in Scotland will drop by two to 57, while the number of seats in Northern Ireland (18) will stay the same.
However, these boundary changes will not affect Senedd constituency boundaries, which will remain the same.
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“Overwhelming public opposition”
Mr David, who is retiring at the next General Election, said: “There is overwhelming public opposition in the area of Caerphilly against what the Boundary Commission have initially proposed.
“A wide range of organisations and individuals have strongly opposed what has been suggested. Organisations and bodies as diverse as Senghenydd Rugby Club, the Aber Valley Male Voice Choir, the Bedwas Workmen’s Hall and the Caerphilly Miners’ Centre have all come out against these proposals.
“Their views have also been reflected in the strong opposition of Caerphilly Town Council and Penyrheol, Trecenydd and Energlyn Community Council. Labour and Plaid Borough Councillors have similarly joined in the cacophony of opposition.”
Mr David was joined in Swansea by Bedwas, Trethomas, Machen councillor Liz Aldworth, as well as Cllr Chris Morgan, chair of Bedwas, Trethomas, Machen Community Council.
At an earlier public hearing, held in Cardiff, Plaid Cymru councillor Lindsay Whittle spoke out against the plans, while Gwent Police and Crime Commissioner Jeff Cuthbert, Caerphilly Miners’ Centre secretary Katherine Hughes and residents also contributed their arguments.
Deputy Leader of Caerphilly County Borough Council, Cllr Jamie Pritchard, has also said he is against Caerphilly town being joined with Newport West.
Counter proposal
At the hearing, Mr David presented his own proposals on how to redraw the boundaries.
He said: “It is not enough to be against these proposals. That is why I have submitted a counter proposal which makes far more sense and is more in tune with public opinion
“This counter proposal maintains the lower and middle Rhymney valley as one entity and links it to the adjacent communities of Blackwood and Pontllanfraith. Under my plan, Newport West would then be linked to the communities to its north, including Risca, Abercarn and Newbridge. These communities naturally look to Newport”.
Counter-proposal-final-mapMr David’s plans would not see Caerphilly linked with Newport West. Instead, the Caerphilly constituency would be made up of the following council wards:
- St James
- Bedwas, Trethomas, Machen
- Morgan Jones
- St Martin’s
- Penyrheol, Trecenydd, Energlyn
- Aber Valley
- Llanbradach
- Ystrad Mynach
- Maesycwmmer
- Hengoed
- St Cattwg
- Pengam
- Cefn Fforest
- Blackwood
- Pontllanfraith
Mr David also suggested the creation of a ‘Newport West and Newbridge’ constituency, which would be made up of the following wards:
- Marshfield*
- Tredegar Park*
- Gaer*
- Graig*
- Allt yr Yn*
- Rogerstone*
- Risca East
- Risca West
- Crosskeys
- Ynysddu
- Abercarn
- Newbridge
- Crumlin
- Penmaen
- Argoed
*Wards within Newport City Council
Mr David said his proposals are “far more logical” and take into account “geographic, transport and socio-economic realities to a fare greater extent than the initial proposal from the Boundary Commission”.
Speaking to Caerphilly Observer, Mr David said he was “hopeful” the Boundary Commission would change its proposals.
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