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Gerald Jones MP, who has represented Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney since 2015, will not stand for the constituency in the next general election.
The Rhymney and Merthyr Tydfil seat, which has existed for 40 years, will no longer be a constituency as the political map of Wales has been redrawn following boundary reviews.
Mr Jones, who is originally from Phillipstown, New Tredegar, recently announced that he will instead stand as a Labour candidate for the new Merthyr Tydfil and Upper Cynon seat.
He will stand against Labour MP Beth Winter for the new seat.
The BBC reported that Ms Winter recently criticised the Labour Party seat selection process and called it “undemocratic” as parts of it will take place online.
In recent months, Mr Jones has raised the issue of food banks in parliament after Rhymney Valley Foodbank found itself on the brink of closure due to a lack of stock.
Prior to his time as MP, Mr Jones was a county councillor for New Tredegar and also served as deputy council leader.
Speaking to Caerphilly Observer about what it’s meant to represent the constituency, Mr Jones said: “I’ve been incredibly privileged to represent Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney in the House of Commons.
“The Tory government has reduced the number of MPs and Merthyr Tydfil will now unite with Upper Cynon.
“I’m seeking the backing of Labour Party members in the new constituency to be their candidate whenever the General Election comes.
“Until the election, I’ll continue to be the MP for Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney and, as I have always done, will continue to serve local residents to the very best of my ability.”
For the next general election, areas such as Rhymney, along with wards in the current Caerphilly and Islwyn constituencies, will form part of a new constituency – Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney.
Wales is set to have just 32 MPs once the Boundary Commission for Wales submits its final recommendations to the House of Commons this July. The new boundaries will take effect at the next general election.
These changes are to ensure that parliamentary constituencies contain roughly similar size electorates. Due to population changes over the years, these boundaries have been redrawn numerous times in the past.
‘Fond of the Rhymney Valley’
Labour MP Nick Smith currently holds the Blaenau Gwent seat and intends to stand for the Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney seat at the next General Election.
Mr Smith said: “Although the new constituency won’t come into being until after the next General Election, should the boundary changes go through as expected in July, then I will be around the new constituency from the get-go, introducing myself wherever possible.
“I remain immensely proud to represent my home constituency of Blaenau Gwent and would be privileged to represent Rhymney, as well as the wards absorbed from Caerphilly and Islwyn.”
Mr Smith continued: “I am very fond of the Rhymney valley and spent a lot of time travelling round the area as a lad, helping my father make deliveries for Brace’s Bread from the old Oakdale bakery, whilst Cwm Darran and the lake is, of course, one of our local gems.
“As well as helping individual constituents day-in day-out, many of my overarching campaigns are about helping people right across our valleys – from supporting ex-steelworkers and miners to promoting better public health, creating opportunities in the jobs of the future and ensuring our towns and villages are kept up to speed in a digital world.
“While our communities across the valleys share many similarities, I know that each also have their own issues and concerns. I will be here to listen and do all I can to stand up for my new constituents as I do for those in Blaenau Gwent.”
‘Gutted’
Labour councillor Carl Cuss, who represents Twyn Carno, has worked closely alongside Mr Jones.
Mr Cuss told Caerphilly Observer: “I am absolutely gutted that Gerald Jones won’t be representing the Rhymney side of the constituency after the election.
“Gerald is a colleague and a friend, he has been tremendous in his support for our communities. He’s always been there whenever I’ve called upon him for help, advice and support in my role as a councillor and the issues we face in our local area.
“His passion for these communities will be missed by many residents in the area.”
Mr Cuss continued: “I wish him all the very best in the selection process because I know he would be a superb MP for Merthyr Tydfil and Upper Cynon.
“The Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney boundary change is just a Tory gerrymandering exercise and a numbers game with no concern about communities.”
“I will of course fully embrace the new constituency, I have many friends within the Labour Party in this new constituency and I will work hard with them to ensure the Labour MP Nick Smith is returned as our representative and hopefully to a UK Labour Government.”
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