Since 1987 this seat has been held by Paul Flynn. At the 1997 general election, he had a majority of 14,537 over the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats came third, and Plaid Cymru came fifth behind the Referendum Party.
The seat contains part of the town of Newport, and also contains the site of Wales's biggest single inward investment, the Korean LG electronics plant. The local council is in almost total Labour control, with 46 of the 47 councillors belonging to Labour. A sole Conservative forms the only opposition.
Newport West is a compact constituency comprising Newport Town Centre and suburbs on the west bank of the River Usk. It contains both the poorest and richest parts of the town. Always overshadowed by its neighbours Cardiff and Bristol Newport’s main claim to fame is as the site of the largest Chartist uprising, an event commemorated by numerous street names and memorials.