A NEW portrait of ex-Islwyn Labour MP Lord Kinnock is set to go on show in London this Thursday.

Edward Sutcliffe’s painting of the former leader of the opposition is part of the Royal Society of Portrait Painters Annual Exhibition, taking place at the Mall Galleries.

Mr Sutcliffe said he was introduced to Lord Kinnock by Gerald Isaaman, a journalist who had interviewed him about a portrait he’d made of Glenda Jackson, his local MP which had been selected for the BP Portrait Award.

He said: “We met for a sitting in Lord Kinnock’s London home. He was warm and friendly and seemed to have a tireless curiosity and energy about the world around him, we discussed art, politics and sport-this was a particular sore point as Wales had lost a big rugby game a day or two earlier!

“I was honoured to meet and paint Lord Kinnock and in creating this portrait, I wanted to capture a wise and intellectual individual always working hard to find the best solutions to life’s complexities.”

The annual exhibition showcases the work of the society’s members, and also includes 100 portraits from others who compete to be exhibited.

Visitors can see the exhibition from May 8 to May 23. Entry is £3 or £2.50 for concessions.