Mr Cuthbert, who recently pledged his support for the National Autistic Society, said: “I am looking forward to the campaign. The Yes vote in the Referendum result has given us a new impetus but we need to be aware that it was not 100% and we must respect that.
“We clearly have work to do, but I take heart from the result and believe that we can now move forward to make Wales a good place to live. It is encouraging for Labour with our marvellous by election result in Barnsley, taking a council seat from Plaid in Riverside, Cardiff and the latest all Wales Poll shows that we are far ahead of the opposition. But we are not complacent.
“This is going to be a tough campaign and we take nothing for granted. The Labour Party is strong in Caerphilly and we will all work hard to create a majority Labour administration in Cardiff in May.”
Local party member Bryn Hollywell, who is Mr Cuthbert’s election agent, said: “The party is really looking forward to the contest. We aim to make Labour the majority party in Cardiff.
“It is an opportunity for Wales to give its verdict on the ConDem Government which is inflicting its own version of the Big Society on our communities and, at the same time, express Caerphilly’s opinion on our Plaid controlled county council with all its misjudgements and u-turns.
“We have an excellent candidate in Jeff Cuthbert who has gained a deserved reputation in Cardiff, and home here in Caerphilly, for his probity, dedication and hard work and he receives the full backing of the Labour Party.”
Mr Cuthbert’s chief rival in the campaign will be his predecessor Ron Davies – who is standing for Plaid Cymru.