Neath (UK Parliament constituency)

Neath () was a constituency in Wales represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament from 1918 to 2024.

The constituency was abolished as part of the 2023 periodic review of Westminster constituencies and under the June 2023 final recommendations of the Boundary Commission for Wales for the 2024 general election. Its wards were split between Aberafan Maesteg, Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe, and Neath and Swansea East.

History

The constituency was located in the preserved county of West Glamorgan, Wales. It consisted of the electoral wards of Aberdulais, Allt-wen, Blaengwrach, Bryn-côch North, Bryn-côch South, Cadoxton, Cimla, Crynant, Cwmllynfell, Dyffryn, Glynneath, Godre'r Graig, Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen, Lower Brynamman, Neath East, Neath North, Neath South, Onllwyn, Pelenna, Pontardawe, Resolven, Rhos, Seven Sisters, Tonna, Trebanos and Ystalyfera.

The Neath constituency was a mixture of both industrial and rural communities, running in a north–south strip across South Wales. It included most of the Neath and Dulais valleys, and some of the Upper Swansea Valley as well. The town of Neath was at its southern end. The constituency contained historical places of both industrial and natural forms. Neath and the surrounding areas were industrialised very early in Britain's history. Copper smelting was already happening here in the late 16th century.

The constituency was heavily mined and the small communities that grew up around these mines were devastated by the collapse of the mining industry in the 1980s. On the edges of many of these communities there are now "Industrial Villages" springing up, helping to replace the jobs lost by the demise of the mining industry, and so helping to keep young people in these communities.