PLAID Cymru has selected Jonathan Clark as its Parliamentary candidate for Newport West in a future General Election or by-election.

Labour's Paul Flynn has represented the constituency since 1987, but announced last year he would not run again in the face of failing health. And, with many political commentators predicting a fresh General Election could be called any minute, parties have been selecting their candidates - with Mr Clark the latest to be announced.

The Plaid stalwart is something of a veteran of the campaign trail, having run for Monmouth in the 2005, 2010 and 2015 General Elections, as well as the 2007 and 2016 Assembly Elections.

He is a former pupil of St Julian’s Comprehensive School and studied at the University of Wales, Lampeter, the University of Wales, Newport and Cardiff University.

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Mr Clark said his key areas of campaigning would be social justice, affordable housing and the economy - as well as tackling congestion on the M4.

“The expensive, damaging, and delusional proposed black route won't solve Newport and south Gwent’s traffic problems or help the local journeys we make," he said.

“We need to invest in public transport and improve the existing M4. We need work to start on the Metro, the railway stations, and the park and ride at Caerleon - Ponthir, Celtic Lakes, Llanwern and Magor and develop a regular rail service running into Newport from Ebbw Vale.”

Mr Clark is also a lifelong supporter of Newport County AFC and the Dragons.

On Brexit, he said: "We need to take no deal of the table. So far all we’ve seen is a disturbing lack of attention to detail from Westminster.

South Wales Argus:

Newport West MP Paul Flynn

“The combination of half-threat, half-promise approach to negotiations is shocking - a blatant example trying to have your cake and eat it.

“This is the politics of fantasy island rather than a realistic approach to negotiation. We are two years down the line and appear no closer to deciding on the detail of what we want or how to get it.

“The only option now is to extend Article 50 so we don’t crash out with a disastrous damaging no deal.”

Labour has selected Ruth Jones as their candidate, while leader of the city's Conservative group Cllr Matthew Evans will run for the party.

Deputy leader of the Green Party Amelia Womack has also been selected as her party's candidate.