Created in the 2023 boundary review, from parts of Cynon Valley and Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney.
A new constituency created in the 2023 boundary review.
Gerald Jones
Labour PartyGerald Jones is the Labour MP for Merthyr Tydfil and Aberdare, and has been an MP continually since 7 May 2015.
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Sign up freeCoverage of Merthyr Tydfil and Aberdare has been mixed for Gerald across 40 recent articles.
Won by Lab in its first election in 2024. Covers Merthyr Tydfil, Aberdare and Treharris. Population 99,628. Median income £25K (below average).
300-hectare wildfire rips through hills as firefighters mount urgent response
South Wales Argus · 9 Apr 2026
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Sign up freeMedian Income▼
£25,000
per year (HMRC 2022-23)
Mean Income▼
£29,000
per year (HMRC 2022-23)
Businesses▼
2,160
VAT/PAYE registered (ONS 2024)
Schools▼
48
0 primary, 0 secondary, 48 other
Total Income Tax▼
£147m
from 45,000 taxpayers
Median Tax▼
£2,260
per taxpayer / year
Mean Tax
£3,300
per taxpayer / year
Source: HMRC Survey of Personal Incomes, tax year 2022-23. Allocated by taxpayer residence. Covers income tax only — excludes NI, VAT, and capital gains. Sample-based estimate (~8% confidence interval).
2 large towns, 2 towns, 4 villages, rural areas — 99,654 total population
Source: ONS Built-Up Areas (Census 2021) + data.police.uk — crime rates are per 1,000 population (last 3 months)
Source: data.police.uk — street-level crime data aggregated from LSOA to constituency
42 councillors across 17 wards · Last elections: Sept 2024
| Ward | Party | Councillor | Elected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aberaman | Labour Party | Julie Cook | May 2022 |
| Labour Party | Sheryl Evans | May 2022 | |
| Labour Party | Tina Williams | May 2022 | |
| Aberdare East | Labour Party | Steve Bradwick | May 2022 |
| Labour Party | Victoria Dunn | May 2022 | |
| Aberdare Westllwydcoed | Labour Party | Ann Crimmings | May 2022 |
| Labour Party | Gareth Jones | May 2022 | |
| Labour Party | Sharon Rees | May 2022 | |
| Bedlinog Trelewis | Labour Party | Gill Preston | Sept 2024 |
| Cwmbach | Labour Party | Jeffrey Alan Elliott | May 2022 |
| Labour Party | Mustapha Maohoub | May 2022 | |
| Cyfarthfa | Independent Berwick Hills Resident | Claire Jones | May 2022 |
| Independent Berwick Hills Resident | Geraint Thomas | May 2022 | |
| Independent Berwick Hills Resident | Michelle Ellen Jones | May 2022 | |
| Dowlais Pant | Independent Berwick Hills Resident | David Hughes | May 2022 |
| Independent Berwick Hills Resident | Declan Gerard Sammon | May 2022 | |
| Independent Berwick Hills Resident | Paula Layton | May 2022 | |
| Gurnos | Labour Party | Bill Smith | May 2022 |
| Independent Berwick Hills Resident | Jeremy Islwyn Trevor Davies | May 2022 | |
| Independent Berwick Hills Resident | Lee Davies | May 2022 | |
| Hirwaun Penderyn Rhigos | Plaid Cymru - The Party of Wales | Adam Owain Rogers | May 2022 |
| Plaid Cymru - The Party of Wales | Karen Morgan | May 2022 | |
| Merthyr Vale | Labour Party | Darren Roberts | May 2022 |
| Labour Party | Scott Thomas | May 2022 | |
| Park | Labour Party | Clive Thomas Jones | May 2022 |
| Labour Party | Louise Minett Vokes | May 2022 | |
| Pen Y Waun | Labour Party | Louisa Addiscott | May 2022 |
| Penydarren | Labour Party | David Gareth Isaac | May 2022 |
| Labour Party | Jamie Scriven | May 2022 | |
| Labour Party | Kevin Gibbs | May 2022 | |
| Plymouth | Labour Party | Anna Nadine Williams-Price | May 2022 |
| Labour Party | Brent Anthony Carter | May 2022 | |
| Labour Party | Gareth Lewis | May 2022 | |
| Town | Independent Berwick Hills Resident | Andrew David Barry | May 2022 |
| Labour Party | Dai Chick Jones | May 2022 | |
| Independent Berwick Hills Resident | John Thomas | May 2022 | |
| Independent Berwick Hills Resident | Julia Jenkins | May 2022 | |
| Treharris | Labour Party | Ernie Galsworthy | May 2022 |
| Labour Party | Gareth Richards | May 2022 | |
| Labour Party | Ian David Thomas | May 2022 | |
| Vaynor | Independent Berwick Hills Resident | Clive Tovey | May 2022 |
| Independent Berwick Hills Resident | Lisa Victoria Mytton | May 2022 |
Source: DCLEAPIL v1.0 by Jason Leman, LEAP (Andrew Teale) & Democracy Club. CC BY-SA 4.0. Data last refreshed: 1 Apr 2026.
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
✓ Won 2019 GEWon 2017 GEWon 2015 GE | Lab | 15,791 | 44.8% |
| Ref | 8,344 | 23.7% | |
| PC | 4,768 | 13.5% | |
| Con | 2,687 | 7.6% | |
| LD | 1,276 | 3.6% | |
| Green | 1,231 | 3.5% | |
| WPB | 531 | 1.5% | |
| Ind | 375 | 1.1% | |
| Ind | 212 | 0.6% |
Gerald Jones has not appeared in national political news coverage tracked by our system. This is common for backbench MPs who focus on constituency-level work rather than national policy debates.
4 articles hidden as not sufficiently relevant to this constituency
A 300-hectare wildfire at Pontsticill Reservoir near Merthyr Tydfil sent smoke across the constituency and surrounding areas. Firefighters from South Wales Fire and Rescue Service contained the blaze using tactical burning, drones, and other equipment, with the fire brought under control by evening.
Craig Williams from Aberdare was jailed for making threatening 999 calls, threatening to kill police officers, and assaulting officers by spitting at them. He received a four-week prison sentence after pleading guilty to assault on emergency workers and sending offensive communication.
An Aberdare family shares their story of 10-year-old Luc's near-fatal Type 1 diabetes diagnosis after missing early warning signs during a holiday abroad. The article highlights how quickly Type 1 diabetes can develop and emphasises the importance of public awareness of symptoms to enable early detection.
Residents of Aberfan in Merthyr Tydfil have successfully campaigned against an HMO conversion proposal, with the local council rejecting the application after significant community opposition including over 1,000 petition signatures. Residents remain vigilant as they fear a potential appeal, citing concerns about parking, anti-social behaviour, and community character.
Jeff Edwards, an Aberfan disaster survivor from Merthyr Tydfil, received an OBE from King Charles for his services to fellow survivors, charity work, and community support. Edwards was eight years old when the 1966 coal tip disaster killed 144 people in Aberfan, and he has since become a leading advocate for disaster survivors' support services.
A primary school teacher was sentenced at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court for sending explicit sexual images and videos to a minor, receiving a suspended 12-month prison sentence with community service and a lifelong restraining order. The case highlights child safety failures in education and the judiciary's handling of online child exploitation.
Two apprentices from Merthyr Tydfil — Layla Price and Logan Davies — have won bronze and silver medals at Skills Competition Wales after training at David Spear Commercials and The College Merthyr Tydfil. The story highlights the company's commitment to apprenticeships and workforce development, including its recent transition to an Employee Ownership Trust.
A fire at a disused cafe in Ystrad Mynach has been deemed deliberate by South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, with Gwent Police now investigating. The incident occurred on March 30 and required significant emergency response resources.
Craig Bray, aged 28 from Newport, was sentenced at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court for assaulting his ex-partner, making violent threats against her, and burgling a local care home. The case was heard in the constituency's crown court and resulted in a custodial sentence of nearly two years and seven months.
An abandoned café (Nancy's Café) near Ystrad Mynach railway caught fire on March 30, requiring a major emergency response with four 45m water jets and causing significant disruption to road traffic and train services for nearly four hours. The incident raised concerns about disused buildings in the area and their fire safety.
A new podcast explores the historical significance of Merthyr Tydfil as a landing point for Irish families escaping the Famine through chain-migration routes. The four-part series highlights Wales's overlooked role in Irish migration pathways and uses genealogical records to tell individual human stories from this period.
St Joseph's RC Primary School in Tredegar had its minibus stolen and burnt out in early March, but the school community rallied together to raise £6,627 through fundraising, combined with insurance and donations, allowing them to purchase a new £23,000 bus. The head teacher praised the overwhelming community spirit and generosity that enabled the school to quickly replace this vital resource for educational trips and activities.
Transport for Wales is increasing the frequency of TrawsCymru bus services, including the T4 route serving Merthyr Tydfil, with additional journeys on weekends, bank holidays, and school holidays starting March 28. The T4 will operate hourly between Brecon and Merthyr Tydfil on Sundays and bank holidays, with further timetable improvements from April 13 to enhance punctuality.
Rachel Grady, a Merthyr Tydfil resident and former Army servicewoman, overcame a £40,000 gambling and shopping addiction by reselling clothes online, clearing her debt in just over a year and building a profitable business. Her story highlights the mental health challenges facing ex-service personnel and the accessibility of online gambling addiction, while demonstrating a personal recovery journey that has inspired others in her community.
A 28-year-old man from Aberaman, Aberdare, was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment for sending sexually explicit messages to a nine-year-old boy and asking him to be his 'boyfriend'. The case was heard at Cardiff Crown Court, with the victim reporting severe psychological impact including struggles with sleep, eating, and isolation.
A man from Tredegar was jailed for 21 months after breaking a female footballer's jaw in a brutal attack outside her home in March 2024. The victim, Laura Banks, was treated at Prince Charles Hospital in Merthyr Tydfil and has been unable to continue her football career due to her injuries.
Foster Wales Merthyr Tydfil has launched an enhanced support package for foster carers, including council tax reduction, therapeutic care access, competitive allowances, and community activities. The initiative aims to address the UK-wide shortage of foster carers and keep children connected to their local communities, schools, and families.
A 22-year-old from Barry was sentenced to three years imprisonment at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court for supplying cocaine over a 14-month period. The case highlights drug crime in the wider constituency area and illustrates the local court system's role in addressing serious criminal activity.
A four-year-old girl from Blackwood, Caerphilly (within Merthyr Tydfil and Aberdare constituency) nearly died from meningitis B despite being fully vaccinated in December 2022, initially misdiagnosed at Prince Charles Hospital in Merthyr Tydfil. The case highlights the rarity but severity of breakthrough infections and has prompted calls for extended MenB vaccination to teenagers.
The Brecon Mountain Railway is launching a Polar Express-themed Christmas train ride starting from Pant Station in Merthyr Tydfil, offering immersive family entertainment through the Brecon Beacons from November to December 2025. This marks the first Polar Express experience in Wales and is expected to attract significant tourism and visitor spending to the local area.
A man was sentenced to 17 months in prison for strangling a woman in Merthyr Tydfil town centre in September 2024. The incident occurred after an arranged meeting outside a post office escalated, leaving the victim with lasting physical and psychological trauma.
A 19-year-old from the area was sentenced at Merthyr Crown Court for his role in a ram raid on a 90-year-old Powys department store, causing over £20,000 in damage. The teenager received a suspended 14-month sentence with community service requirements, sparing him immediate jail time despite the serious nature of the burglary.
Daniel Jenkins, a 33-year-old from Blackwood with a history of violence, was jailed for 17 months for strangling a woman in Merthyr Tydfil in September. The case was heard at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court, where the judge noted the serious nature of the assault and Jenkins's poor record for violent offences.
The UK Government has announced 12 new Youth Hubs across Wales, including one specifically for Merthyr Tydfil, to support young people aged 16-24 with employment, skills training, mental health and housing support. The announcement includes devolved employment support funding of £20m to the Welsh Government, giving local leaders control over designing employment programmes tailored to their communities.
A major drugs gang that operated across South Wales, including Merthyr Tydfil, has been dismantled through Operation Allegro involving Tarian, Gwent Police and Gloucestershire Constabulary. The organised crime group supplied cocaine and cannabis across the region, with leaders including Danny Tomlin from Gloucestershire and Louis Maxwell from Newport, and operated cannabis factories in Pontllanfraith and Porth.
A Newport man, Craig Bray, has been jailed for 932 days at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court for harassing and assaulting his ex-partner, including making death threats, bombarding her with 140 calls in one day, and committing burglary. The case highlights the severe impact of domestic abuse on the victim's mental health and safety.
Luke Cable, a 25-year-old from Brynmawr in the Merthyr Tydfil area, was sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty to possession with intent to supply cocaine. He was arrested in February after his father called police due to concern for his welfare when Cable came home heavily under the influence, and subsequent investigation revealed he had been dealing cocaine to pay off debts from his own drug addiction.
Luke Cable, 25, from Brynmawr in Merthyr Tydfil, was sentenced to three years in prison after his father reported him to police for drug dealing. He was found with 46g of cocaine valued at £6,000 and admitted to possession with intent to supply; this is his second conviction for cocaine-related offences.
Persimmon Homes has achieved a five-star customer satisfaction rating for the fifth consecutive year, with operations across multiple Welsh locations including Merthyr Tydfil. The rating reflects improvements in build quality and aftercare services for homebuyers.
A nine-member drugs gang supplying cocaine and cannabis across multiple locations including Merthyr Tydfil has been jailed for over 40 years combined. The operation was led by Danny Tomlin from Gloucestershire and involved cannabis factories in nearby areas, with the gang dismantled following police investigations and surveillance.
The Foundation for Jewish Heritage has received £141,391 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund to launch a UK-wide project supporting historic synagogues facing challenges. The project is actively working on a major preservation initiative in Merthyr Tydfil to convert the Victorian synagogue into a Welsh Jewish Cultural Centre.
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