Traditionally, the Rhondda has been one of Labour's safest seats in Wales. Consequently, the Labour Party has been regarded as an entrenched part of the Rhondda's working class, radical culture. Plaid Cymru have traditionally been the second party in Westminster and local council elections.
Plaid Cymru's victory here in the 1999 National Assembly Elections powerfully undermined this accepted wisdom of Labour's predominance. Similarly in the local government election, Plaid Cymru gained control of Rhondda/Cynon/Taff local authority, mainly due to the support it gained in the Rhondda.
Although the coal mines which gained the Rhondda world renown at the turn of the century have now closed, the area retains the character of a mining community. The Rhondda suffers relatively high levels of unemployment and poverty and there are pockets of serious social deprivation such as the Penrhys housing estate.
Just over 8% of the population speak Welsh, and this area heavily supported the creation of the Welsh Assembly in the 1997 devolution referendum.