Neath County constituency
Neath shown within Wales
Creation	1918
MP	Peter Hain
Party	Labour
Type	House of Commons
County	West Glamorgan
EP constituency	Wales

Neath is a constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It is also represented at the National Assembly for Wales. It elects one Member of Parliament (MP) by the first past the post system of election and one Assembly Member by the by the first past the post system of election. A County constituency is a constituency in the United Kingdom that covers a predominantly rural area. ... Image File history File links File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... National motto: Cymru am byth (Welsh: Wales for ever) Waless location within the UK Official languages English(100%), Welsh(20. ... 1918 was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar. ... A Member of Parliament, or MP, is a representative elected by the voters of an electoral district to a parliament; in the Westminster system, specifically to the lower house. ... The Right Honourable Peter Gerald Hain (born February 16, 1950 in Nairobi, Kenya) is a British Labour Party politician. ... Political parties in the United Kingdom lists political parties in the United Kingdom. ... The Labour Party is the principal centrist/centre-left political party in the United Kingdom (see British politics). ... The United Kingdom has now four bodies with members elected by constituencies: The House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom The Scottish Parliament The Welsh Assembly The Northern Ireland Assembly The House of Commons has over 600 constituencies representing the whole of the United Kingdom. ... The House of Commons is the lower house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, and is now the dominant elected branch of Parliament. ... The Preserved counties of Wales are the current areas used in Wales for ceremonial purposes such as Lieutenancy. ... West Glamorgan is a ceremonial preserved county of Wales, one of the divisions of the traditional county of Glamorgan. ... The European Parliament is the parliamentary body of the European Union (EU), directly elected by EU citizens once every five years. ... Wales is a constituency of the European Parliament. ... The United Kingdom has now four bodies with members elected by constituencies: The House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom The Scottish Parliament The Welsh Assembly The Northern Ireland Assembly The House of Commons has over 600 constituencies representing the whole of the United Kingdom. ... In some bicameral parliaments of a Westminster System, the House of Commons has historically been the name of the elected lower house. ... The Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the supreme legislative institution in the United Kingdom and British overseas territories (it alone has parliamentary sovereignty). ... The National Assembly for Wales (or NAW) (Welsh: Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru) was established in 1998, following the approval by a small majority of Welsh voters in a referendum held in 1997 of the Labour Governments proposals for devolution. ... A Member of Parliament, or MP, is a representative elected by the voters of an electoral district to a parliament; in the Westminster system, specifically to the lower house. ... The first-past-the-post electoral system is a voting system for single-member districts, variously called first-past-the-post (FPTP or FPP), winner-take-all, plurality voting, or relative majority. ... The first-past-the-post electoral system is a voting system for single-member districts, variously called first-past-the-post (FPTP or FPP), winner-take-all, plurality voting, or relative majority. ...

The Constituency of Neath

The constituency is located in West Glamorgan, Wales. West Glamorgan is a ceremonial preserved county of Wales, one of the divisions of the traditional county of Glamorgan. ... National motto: Cymru am byth (Welsh: Wales for ever) Waless location within the UK Official languages English(100%), Welsh(20. ...

The Neath constituency is a mixture of both industrial and rural communities, running in a north-south strip along the dips, ridges and folded landscape of South Wales. It includes most of the Neath and Dulais Valleys, and some of the Upper Swansea Valley as well. The town of Neath is at its southern end and is a medium sized town which started life as a Roman Nidum. The lower reaches of the valley are almost entirely given over to industry.

The constituency boasts historical places of both industrial and natural forms. Neath and the surrounding areas were industrialised very early in Britain's history. Copper smelting was already happening here in the late sixteenth century.

When Neath Abbey (now a magnificent ruin) was founded in 1129, it was the richest of all Welsh monasteries, and in writings of the sixteenth century was described as the 'fairest Abbey of all Wales'. At it's height it owned extensive lands and property, from Glamorgan to Somerset; had almost 5,000 sheep, as well as horses and cattle; it owned a ship and a landing-place, and worked mills, fisheries and coal-mines. But it suffered greatly during the many skirmishes between the Welsh and English (or Norman's), and by the 1530's had only eight monks left. The ruins date mostly from the late thirteenth century. It has been in turn, a prosperous Abbey, a Jacobean Mansion (painted by Turner), an iron foundry (which explains the Abbey's position bang in the middle of an industrial area) and now an historical monument.

There are many beautiful natural sites in Neath, though the most famous must be the Aberdulais falls, painted by Turner during the year he spent in Neath in around 1795/96. He also sketched many other areas of beauty including Melincourt Falls in the Vale of Neath.

The canals running through the constituency are also a legacy of it's industrial past, though now enjoyed by locals and visitors alike after their restoration. Throughout the area are many spectacular aspects as it nestles almost up to the foothills of the Brecon Beacons.

The constituency was heavily mined and the small communities that grew up around these mines were devastated by the collapse of the mining industry in the 1980's. Many are still fighting to retain their communities. The result is that the valleys are returning to their natural beauty. Though on the edges of many of these communities there are now "Industrial Villages" springing up, helping to replace the jobs lost by the demise of the mining industry, and so helping to keep young people in these communities. Visit the Neath Port Talbot website on: www.neath-porttalbot.gov.uk

A legacy to Neath's political history is the memorial stone in Victoria Gardens to the 5 Neath citizens killed during the Spanish Civil War of 1936-38

Neath has a strong Rugby and cricket playing tradition and the towns RFC does well in the Welsh Premier League. They are known as the "All Blacks of Wales".As well as the Ospreys, the regional Celtic League side.

The constituency remains a Welsh Speaking area, with approximately 26% of the population reported at Welsh Speakers. Neath was proud to host the National Eisteddfod of Wales in 1994.

The Pontardawe International Music Festival takes place annually in the constituency. It is a week of Folk and Rock music and dance. Made up of both performances and workshops, it is an International affair and transforms the constituency during its week. In the town of Neath dances and singers perform in the streets in the run up to and during the festival. It is a celebration of the areas International ties. (Information on the Pontardawe Festival, whether for participating or visiting, can be had from, The Pontardawe Inn, Pontardawe, Swansea SA8 4ED. Tel: 01792 830791 or visit the web site www.pontardawefestival.org.uk)

Members of Parliament

Its current Member of Parliament is Peter Hain. He is currently the Secretary of State for Wales and Northern Ireland. A Member of Parliament, or MP, is a representative elected by the voters of an electoral district to a parliament; in the Westminster system, specifically to the lower house. ... The Right Honourable Peter Gerald Hain (born February 16, 1950 in Nairobi, Kenya) is a British Labour Party politician. ... Royal motto: Quis separabit (Latin: Who will separate?) Northern Irelands location within the UK Official languages English, Irish, Ulster Scots Capital and largest city Belfast First Minister Office suspended Area  - Total Ranked 4th 13,843 km² Population  - Total (2001)  - Density Ranked 4th 1,685,267 122/km² NUTS 1...

• 1991 – present: Peter Hain, Labour
• 1964 – 1991: Donald Coleman, (died in office), Labour
• 1945 – 1964: David James (D.J) Williams, Labour
• 1924 – 1945: William Jenkins, Labour
• 1918 – 1924: William Gibbins

1991 is a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Right Honourable Peter Gerald Hain (born February 16, 1950 in Nairobi, Kenya) is a British Labour Party politician. ... The Labour Party is the principal centrist/centre-left political party in the United Kingdom (see British politics). ... 1964 was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar). ... 1991 is a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Labour Party is the principal centrist/centre-left political party in the United Kingdom (see British politics). ... 1945 was a common year starting on Monday (link will take you to calendar). ... 1964 was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar). ... The Labour Party is the principal centrist/centre-left political party in the United Kingdom (see British politics). ... 1924 was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link will take you to calendar). ... 1945 was a common year starting on Monday (link will take you to calendar). ... The Labour Party is the principal centrist/centre-left political party in the United Kingdom (see British politics). ... 1918 was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar. ... 1924 was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link will take you to calendar). ...

Welsh Assembly Members

Its first ever, and current Assembly Member is Gwenda Thomas Gwenda Thomas (born 1942) is the Labour Welsh Assembly Member for Neath. ...

• 1999 – present: Gwenda Thomas

1999 is a common year starting on Friday Anno Domini (or the Current Era), and was designated the International Year of Older Persons by the United Nations. ... Gwenda Thomas (born 1942) is the Labour Welsh Assembly Member for Neath. ...

Election results

The United Kingdom general election of 2005 was held on Thursday, 5 May 2005 and won by the Labour Party, led by Tony Blair. ... The Labour Party is the principal centrist/centre-left political party in the United Kingdom (see British politics). ... The Right Honourable Peter Gerald Hain (born February 16, 1950 in Nairobi, Kenya) is a British Labour Party politician. ... Listen to this article · (info) This audio file was created from the revision dated 2005-07-12, and does not reflect subsequent edits to the article. ... The Liberal Democrats, often shortened to Lib Dems, are a social liberal political party based in the United Kingdom. ... The Conservative Party is the largest political party on the centre-right in the United Kingdom. ... The Green Party of England and Wales emerged as a distinct party in the 1990s. ... Cannabis leaves The Legalise Cannabis Alliance (LCA) is a political party registered in the United Kingdom with the cannabis leaf image as its emblem. ... RESPECT The Unity Coalition is a left wing British political party founded on January 25, 2004 in London. ... The Labour Party is the principal centrist/centre-left political party in the United Kingdom (see British politics). ... The UK general election, 2001 was held on 7 June 2001 and was dubbed the quiet landslide by the media. ... The Labour Party is the principal centrist/centre-left political party in the United Kingdom (see British politics). ... The Right Honourable Peter Gerald Hain (born February 16, 1950 in Nairobi, Kenya) is a British Labour Party politician. ... Listen to this article · (info) This audio file was created from the revision dated 2005-07-12, and does not reflect subsequent edits to the article. ... The Liberal Democrats, often shortened to Lib Dems, are a social liberal political party based in the United Kingdom. ... The Conservative Party is the largest political party on the centre-right in the United Kingdom. ... The Socialist Alliance is a far left electoral alliance in England. ... ProLife, otherwise The ProLife Party and formerly The ProLife Alliance is a minor political party in the United Kingdom. ... The Labour Party is the principal centrist/centre-left political party in the United Kingdom (see British politics). ...

See also

• List of Parliamentary constituencies in West Glamorgan