Caerphilly

Caerphilly council lies in the South Wales valleys. Caerphilly is the largest town, other towns include Bargoed, Blackwood, Newbridge and Risca. Cardiff is only 10 miles south of Caerphilly while the Brecon Beacons are to the north of the area. Light industry and tourism now account for the majority of employment, though the rate of unemployment is the third highest in Wales at 11.8%.

This is a Labour stronghold though Plaid Cymru is fairly strong in local government - it provided the main opposition in many of the wards won by Labour. 56 of the 68 councillors are Labour, 9 are Plaid Cymru and 3 Independent. Ron Davies, Secretary of State for Wales won the seat of Caerphilly with a majority of 25,839 in the 1997 general election. Islwyn, former seat of Neil Kinnock who led the campaign by Labour MPs against a Welsh Assembly in the 1979 referendum also falls within the area.

Results of 1979 referendum:

		Yes		No		Turnout
All Wales		20%		80%		58.3%
Mid Glamorgan		20%		80%		59%
Gwent		12%		88%		55.3%

Beaufort Research/Western Mail poll published on 2 July 1997:

		Agree		Disagree		Don't know
All Wales		43%		29%		28%
Valleys		45%		28%		27%