Parliamentary constituency in the United Kingdom, 1983 onwards
Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney (Welsh: Merthyr Tudful a Rhymni) is a constituency[n 1] represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament since 2015 by Gerald Jones of the Welsh Labour Party.[n 2] It was established for the 1983 general election.
The constituency is set to be abolished, as part of the 2023 Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies and under the June 2023 final recommendations of the Boundary Commission for Wales for the next United Kingdom general election. Its wards is to be split between Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney, and Merthyr Tydfil and Aberdare.[3]
Boundaries
Map of current boundaries
1983–1997: The Borough of Merthyr Tydfil, and the District of Rhymney Valley wards Nos. 5 and 14 to 20.
1997–2010: The County Borough of Merthyr Tydfil, and the Caerphilly County Borough wards of Abertysswg, Darren Valley, Moriah, New Tredegar, Pontlottyn, Tir-Phil, and Twyn Carno.
2010–present: The Merthyr Tydfil County Borough electoral divisions of Bedlinog, Cyfarthfa, Dowlais, Gurnos, Merthyr Vale, Park, Penydarren, Plymouth, Town, Treharris, and Vaynor, and the Caerphilly County Borough electoral divisions of Darran Valley, Moriah, New Tredegar, Pontlottyn, and Twyn Carno.
As its name suggests, the main towns are Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney. Aberfan is also located in the constituency. The seat is bordered by the constituencies of Blaenau Gwent, Brecon and Radnorshire, Caerphilly, Cynon Valley, and Islwyn.
History
The constituency was created for the 1983 general election. Prior to this, Merthyr Tydfil had been in its own eponymous constituency, and Rhymney was in the seat of Ebbw Vale (at the time Michael Foot's constituency), which was abolished at that election.
Elections
Elections in the 1980s
Elections in the 1990s
Elections in the 2000s
Elections in the 2010s
Of the 80 rejected ballots:
- 22 were either unmarked or it was uncertain who the vote was for.[17]
- 57 voted for more than one candidate.[17]
- 1 had writing or mark by which the voter could be identified.[17]
Of the 95 rejected ballots:
- 49 were either unmarked or it was uncertain who the vote was for.[19]
- 46 voted for more than one candidate.[19]
Of the 71 rejected ballots:
- 41 were either unmarked or it was uncertain who the vote was for.[25]
- 30 voted for more than one candidate.[25]
Of the 83 rejected ballots:
- 23 voted for more than one candidate.[32]
- 4 had writing or mark by which the voter could be identified.[32]
- 56 had want of official mark.[32]
