At the close of nominations for the local government elections  a record number of people have decided to stand for election in the Torfaen CBC elections. The Independents are fielding a record number of candidates to challenge the tradiitonal dominance of the Labour Party. So too are Plaid Cymru but there is a distinct absence of Lib Dem candidates this time. As usual the Labour Party is fielding candidates in every ward with many new young Labour Party members standing for the first time.

Nic Thomas-Symonds,  secretary of the Torfaen Labour Party, said that Labour is facing a major challenge but  was confident that it would put up a good showing.