 In an acrimonious selection of a new Labour Candidate for the constituency in 1985, Thomas' preferred choice was a London-based trade union official and London Borough of Bromley Councillor, Ira Walters.Walters, a Gorseinon-born Welsh Speaker was, at age 23, the youngest candidate in the 1983 general election, contesting the Conwy Constituency.In the 1985 selection, he acquired the majority of branch nominations in the Constituency, largely from the eastern, industrialised areas of the Constituency.