General election 2024: The candidates standing in Rhondda and Ogmore

Previously two seats, the Ogmore seat is being abolished in a review of Westminster constituencies. Both are traditionally Labour voting and the incumbent MP is Chris Bryant.

The boundaries of all but one Welsh seat have changed ahead of the 2024 election, only Ynys Mon (the island of Anglesey) remains untouched, all others have seen changes which could impact the results on election night. You can read the background to the changes here.

Instead of 40 constituencies, there are now 32 in Wales and the idea behind it is to make all Westminster constituencies the same size. Using figures from electoral calculus, we can see how this constituency is changing. The whole of the current Rhondda constituency remains part of this seat, with the addition of 24.2% of Ogmore and 15.4% of Pontypridd.

READ MORE: What is my general election 2024 constituency - as 90% of areas hit by boundary changes

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Where does the constituency cover?

It includes Treorchy, Treherbert, Maerdy, Ferndale, Tylorstown, Porth, Tonyrefail East and Ogmore Vale, Gilfach Goch, Blaengarw and Pontycymmer.

You can also find your constituency by entering your postcode here:

What happened in the general election in 2019

Who is standing?

• Chris Bryant (Labour)

• Owen Cutler (Plaid Cymru)
  

• Gerald Leslie Francis (Lib Dem)

• Christine Glossop (Green Party)

• Darren James (Reform UK)

• Adam Robinson (Conservatives)

The candidates

All candidates are being asked the same questions, and their answers will be added here once received.

Chris Bryant - Labour

I am 62 and live in Porth in the Rhondda. Prior to getting elected as MP in 2001, I was a priest in the Church of England and Head of European Affairs at the BBC. I was a government minister under Gordon Brown and the chair of the Standards Committee in parliament that recommended the Tory MP Owen Paterson be suspended for paid lobbying. I like to swim, run (I’ve run the London marathon three times for charity), go to the theatre and attend music gigs. I am in a civil partnership.

Name a policy you want to see become law if elected as an MP

I want to implement the whole of the Labour manifesto because the country is crying out for change. I’ve campaigned hard for a national strategy for people with brain injuries so that we don’t just save lives, we give them back a real quality of life and as much independence as possible.

What's the biggest issue facing Wales and what will you do to fix it?

The cost of living, which means thousands of working families are relying on food banks. We need to end the political chaos and bring stability back to the economy so businesses can make secure investments and grow. Equally as important, we must bring in meaningful change to make work pay.

Who has been the best British Prime Minister and why?

Clement Attlee, because he delivered lasting change, including the introduction of the NHS at a time when the UK was strapped for cash after the war. If Labour wins the election, we will inherit the worst financial situation in our history. But we will still have to deliver lasting change.

Owen Cutler - Plaid Cymru

My name is Owen Cutler and I am the Plaid Cymru candidate for Rhondda and Ogmore. I am a 23-year-old engineer, raised in Cymmer and now living in Penrhiwfer. My parents' work at Sunjuice, and my Gransha's tales of the miners' strike have shaped my political beliefs. Outside of work, I enjoy running and watching rugby. As someone who has benefitted from free school meals and being the first university graduate in my family, I understand the struggles of social mobility. For more than half my life I have lived through austerity, witnessing hundreds of job losses, high streets decimated, and many community services gone.

I refuse to believe this is as good as it gets for us. I'm standing to be our strong, local voice in Westminster, fighting for fair funding and a green economic future for the valleys.

Name a policy you want to see become law if elected as an MP

If elected I would promote and seek to introduce a wealth tax as part of our push for fairness. The UK is disfigured by high levels of income inequality, affecting all our communities. It is only fair that those with the broadest shoulders contribute more to society. According to the Wealth Commission report, a 1% wealth tax on millionaires would raise £260bn over 5 years. Imagine the transformation of our services this could fund! To lift people out of poverty, end the cruel 2-child benefit cap, and grow our economy, then we must introduce a wealth tax.

By redistributing wealth, we create a stronger society. It’s time to prioritise economic fairness for all.

What's the biggest issue facing Wales and what will you do to fix it?

Lack of integrity in politics.

Many people feel disconnected from politics, and this is directly linked to the degrading integrity of our representatives. When people see politicians on the make - like the Tories giving out COVID contracts to mates, like the First Minister accepting dodgy donations without acknowledging responsibility and listening to the Senedd's views - it damages our democracy. It's no wonder people have little trust or want anything to do with politics. Turnout falls in each election.

All of this reduces our ability to hold politicians to account for their decisions. Who is taking responsibility for the cost-of-living crisis? Or the record underinvestment in our NHS? No one. For too many people, our democratic structures are failing, and we must address that urgently.

I want us to do politics differently - we need more honesty, more integrity, and more taking responsibility.

Who has been the best British Prime Minister and why?

Clement Attlee -Attlee's government was ground-breaking and transformative. The NHS was established, providing good, free healthcare for all. Attlee's government also introduced the welfare state, which ensured social security and a better quality of life for many.

Attlee’s government also nationalised key industries, which helped to rebuild the economy and stabilise employment. Their commitment to social justice and equality was unquestionable in their efforts to enhance social services and empower the working class.

It is a real shame that we do not see this transformative vision reflected in any of the London parties today. Like Attlee then, and like Plaid Cymru now, we know that in times of need, real change will only come with radical ideas that challenge the status quo.