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Peter Law overturned a huge Labour majority to become the MP

The political twists and turns continue in Blaenau Gwent.

Peter Law, the Independent candidate who sensationally took the safest Labour seat in Wales at the last general election, says he has found a worthy successor if he decides to stand down as an Assembly Member.

Peter Law had represented the constituency for Labour as an AM but stood as an Independent in May 2005 because the party chose to implement a women-only shortlist in Blaenau Gwent.

He was elected to Parliament overturning a Labour majority of 19,000.

If he chooses not to fight his Assembly seat next year, then Peter Law looks set to support his agent, Dai Davies, who helped him win in May 2005.

Dai Davies says "There is a group of us who feel that the independent voice able to speak for the people and not for party politics is still very much looked upon as needed in this area.

"In that respect this is now a safe independent seat.

"In all honesty it is up to Labour to try and prove otherwise"

Labour's candidate for the Assembly election is John Hopkins, the leader of Blaenau Gwent Council. He was chosen from a list of men and women.

The party has also dropped all-women shortlists for the Parliamentary election.

John Hopkins believes Labour can take the seat back.

"I feel that there is no breakage with Labour.

"There has been a hiccup in respect of what happened in the parliamentary election and I believe that was a mistake locally and Labour has learned from that mistake.

"The evidence is very clear that Labour lost the seat as a result of that shortlist."

But critics, including the former Labour MP for Blaenau Gwent, say the problem was not the women-only shortlist.

According to Llew Smith, it was about forcing a New Labour candidate, Maggie Jones, on the constituency.

He is critical of John Hopkins for his support of Maggie Jones.

On the Politics Show Wales, we examine what the latest developments mean for Blaenau Gwent.

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