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A long-serving councillor has announced he is standing in the upcoming Senedd Election.

Cllr Kevin Etheridge, who represents the Blackwood ward as an independent, will contest the Iswlyn seat in May’s election.

It will be the second time Cllr Etheridge has stood for election to the Senedd. In 2007, he finished second behind Labour’s Irene James.

Cllr Etheridge, who has been involved in local politics for 40 years, has said he will be “putting the people of Islwyn before any party political interests”.

The election is set to be held on Thursday, May 6 – although it could be pushed back to a later date due to uncertainty around the coronavirus pandemic.

Cllr Etheridge said: “Local people have been coming up to me for years asking me to stand up for them in the Senedd and not just locally. They tell me they are fed up with those they elect representing their party first and the people of Islwyn second and they need someone that has a track record of making their voice heard in politics.”

He added: “Having lived in Wyllie, Risca, Pontllanfraith and Blackwood I shall always put local issues first in our community with partnership, engagement and communication essential in our towns, villages and communities.”

Labour’s Rhianon Passmore, who is the incumbent Senedd Member for Islwyn, will also be contesting the seat.

Blackwood town councillor Rhys Mills will be standing for Plaid Cymru, while Gavin Chambers is standing for the Conservatives and Oliver Townsend is standing for the Liberal Democrats.