The candidates

Assembly Member Peter Law announced that despite recent treatment for a brain tumour, he is to leave Labour and stand as an Independent candidate - in protest at Labour imposing an all-women shortlist on the constituency.

Now there will be a hard-fought battle in a constituency which Llew Smith, standing down as the current MP, won with a resounding majority of almost 20,000 in the 2001 General Election.

And Liberal Democrat candidate Brian Thomas says that with a possible split in the Labour vote, he is more optimistic than ever about taking the seat himself.

Candidates Margaret Beryl "Maggie" Jones Labour Peter John Law Independent Dr Phillip James Lee Conservative Peter Hugh Osborne UK Independence Party Norman John Price Plaid Cymru Brian Thomas Liberal Democrat

2001 General Election winner: Llew Smith (Labour)

Islwyn DESPITE Plaid Cymru's unexpected and dramatic scoop of Islwyn in the Welsh Assembly elections of 1999, the constituency is still considered a safe seat for Labour. Don Touhig was elected to represent the area at a by-election in 1995. Opposition this time will come in the form of Plaid Cymru, the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats.

Candidates James Brian Criddle Plaid Cymru Lee Raymond James Dillon Lib Dem Phillip Bernard Howells Conservative James Donnelly Touhig Labour

2001 General Election winner: Don Touhig (Labour)

Monmouth MONMOUTH is likely to be one of the keenest fought battles in the country during the 2005 general election. Labour candidate Huw Edwards is defending a 0.9% majority over the Conservatives from the last election in 2001. A constituency with a strong Tory tradition, the Conservatives have Monmouthshire in their sights as a key target.

Candidates John Bufton UK Independence Party Jonathan Clark Plaid Cymru David Davies Conservative Huw Edwards Labour Phil Hobson Liberal Democrats

2001 General Election winner: Huw Edwards (Labour)

Newport East A traditionally Labour constituency, Newport East was until recently represented in Westminster by Labour member Alan Howarth. Its current Labour Party parliamentary candidate, Jessica Morden, was chosen through an all-women shortlist, but without the controversy seen in other parts of Gwent. As well as the main political parties the constituency will also see candidates from the Socialist Labour Party and UK Independence Party fighting for the seat.

Candidates Mohammad Oscar Asghar Plaid Cymru Matthew Glynn Collings Conservatives Jessica Elizabeth Morden Labour Elizabeth Anne Screen Socialist Labour Roger Owen Thomas UK Independence Party Charles Edward Townsend Liberal Democrats

2001 General Election winner: Alan Howarth (Labour)

Newport West SEVEN candidates will contest the Newport West seat, which was a Labour stronghold for all but four of the 22 years it has existed. Mark Robinson held the seat for the Tories during the high point of the Margaret Thatcher years in the mid-1980s, but Labour's Paul Flynn held a comfortable majority since 1987.

Candidates Saeid Arjomand Independent Nigel Flanagan Liberal Democrat Paul Flynn Labour Hugh Moelwyn Hughes UK Independence Party Dr William Morgan Conservative Anthony Salkeld Plaid Cymru Peter Varley Green

2001 General Election winner: Paul Flynn (Labour)

Torfaen NORTHERN Ireland Secretary Paul Murphy is defending a huge majority against five other candidates including an independent in Torfaen. He has held the seat since 1987, and took 62 per cent of the vote in 2001. The Conservatives came second, with a 15.9 per cent share of the vote.

Candidates Paul Murphy Labour Aneurin Preece Plaid Cymru Nicholas Ramsay Conservative David Rowlands UK Independence Party Richard Turner-Thomas Independent Veronica Watkins Liberal Democrat

2001 General Election winner: Paul Murphy (Labour)