Voters in Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney will hit the polling stations on Thursday, December 12 for the third General Election in five years.
The constituency includes: Abertysswg, Brithdir, Deri, Elliot’s Town, Fochriw, Llechryd, New Tredegar, Phillip’s Town, Pontlottyn, Princetown, Rhymney and Tirphil, as well as the entirety of Merthyr Tydfil County Borough.
Find out what the candidates standing in the Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney constituency have to say below.
Labour – Gerald Jones
I’ve been the Labour Member of Parliament for Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney constituency since I was first elected in 2015.
I was born and raised in Phillipstown, New Tredegar, where I still live. I was a councillor and later council deputy leader on Caerphilly County Borough Council from 1995 until 2015.
If I’m fortunate enough to be re-elected, I’ll vote to protect free TV licences for the over-75s, scrap Universal Credit and introduce a £10 minimum wage; fight to end the poverty and hardship in our communities, made worse by a decade of Tory austerity, and fight to bring more investment and jobs to our area.
Conservatives – Sara Jones
I live with my partner and our two young children on our busy family farm. I’ve been a county councillor on Monmouthshire County Council since 2012, and I am the cabinet member for social justice and community development. In addition I work for a large trade association, and I am non-executive director for a farmers’ union.
I am committed to supporting Boris’ deal on Brexit. I believe a strong economy must be a priority because it underlies everything else and is the key to prosperous and sustainable communities. A vibrant economy will enable us to fund and deliver our commitments on the NHS, education and crime. Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymey has so much potential and I would love to have the opportunity to work with our communities to unleash this.
Plaid Cymru – Mark Evans
I currently work for the FA of Wales as Head of International. I’ve worked at the FAW for over 30 years. My role is to manage the match operations around the Wales National Team to ensure the best environment for success.
Electing me as a Plaid Cymru MP on Thursday will provide the constituency with a new voice in London, committed to getting fairer funding for Wales to ensure front line services are not sacrificed to the free market. I believe in devolving policing powers to Cardiff to modernise the way our police service is run to ensure more resources in our communities. After over 100 years of Labour representatives it’s time for change in Merthyr Tydfil & Rhymney.
Brexit Party – Colin Jones
I was born and raised in Merthyr and I want to help revitalise the Valleys.
I am standing for election because, like the majority of you, I voted leave in 2016. All political parties promised to respect that clear democratic decision, they let us down. A strong Brexit Party in Westminster will help ensure a ‘genuine’ Brexit.
This election is a once in a lifetime chance we need to send the established parties a message by removing them from so called ‘safe seats’ they no longer truly represent.
The Brexit Party’s long-term aims include:
- Replacing the unelected House of Lords
- Ensuring the NHS is adequately funded, and never sold off
- Sensible and fair immigration
Liberal Democrats – Brendan D’Cruz
I’m a Project Professional working within social housing, previous academic management roles in business/computing.
Sick of Labour/Tories promising lots of money or ‘Get Brexit Done’, it’s just the start of years of grief, no guarantee we’ll be better of. Let’s re-run the last referendum properly when we know what the deal may be, without fraud, manipulation or lies on the side of a bus.
Too many live in poverty or are homeless, the NHS is in crisis, jobs insecure, climate heading towards catastrophe. In a safe Labour seat, I know I won’t be elected, but a vote for me says your vote cannot be taken for granted.
Vote for a kinder, compassionate, open Wales. We are stronger and safer within the EU, no more Divided Kingdom. Vote Lib Dems and #LetsBeDoneWithBrexit.
Independent – David Hughes
I am Cllr David Hughes, I am married to Shan and have three sons. I’ve worked as a Manager for BT in the Rhymney Valleys for 19 years. I have been a foster carer for 12 years. I have many friends and work colleagues throughout the Valleys.
I am currently a cabinet member within the Independent council administration at Merthyr Tydfil.
I am shocked to see the lack of investment in the once prosperous Northern Rhymney Valley.
Speaking to the people, there is frustration and disillusionment with the Labour Party because of their lack of industry, in both financial and resource terms into, what the Labour Party describe as, their ‘Heartlands’ and what I describe as their ‘Forgotten Land’.
I want Rhymney to have representation at Westminster so I can fight for the Rhymney Valley and say, ‘Rhymney will NO LONGER BE the Forgotten Land.