Created
in 1918, Aberavon has been a Labour held seat with large majorities since
1992. Among the distinguished previous MPs have been Labour's first Prime
Minister, Ramsey Macdonald (1922-29) and Sir John Morris (now Lord Morris,
1959-2001) who served as Secretary of State for Wales and Attorney General.
The constituency is located within the eastern part of Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council. Largely industrial and urban it includes areas of great natural beauty including the historic Margam Park, the sub-Alpine Afan Valley and the historically important industrial towns of Briton Ferry, Skewen, Cwmafan and Taibach. For more information on Neath Port Talbot visit www.neath-porttalbot.gov.uk/tourism/
The
traditional industries of steel and petro-chemicals are being rapidly restructured.
The steel company Corus remains a major employer with a workforce of over
3,000. The Baglan Energy Park has recently been established to assist in
the diversification of the local economy with GE's gas fired power station.
Baglan is also the site of a new district hospital opened in 2003. New sports
and leisure opportunities have been initiated at the Llandarcy Academy of
Sport and Learning.
The
constituency has produced and continues to produce talented performers on
the stage and on the sporting fields. The late Richard Burton, Sir Anthony Hopkins, Mavis Nicholson, Michael Sheen and a comedian/actor Rob Brydon all hail from Aberavon whilst the rugby club currently heads Division One and
the constituency also has many of the best football teams in Wales.
Welsh is spoken by over 11 per cent of the population. The constituency hosted the Urdd National Eisteddfod in 2003.
