PLAID Cymru has chosen who will be its representative for the new Carmarthenshire constituency in the next general election.

Following the re-drawing of boundaries at Westminster, which saw the number of Welsh MPs to be elected into Parliament reduced from 40 to 32, changes on who represents Carmarthenshire will be made.

Currently, the county is represented by two MPs – Carmarthenshire East & Dinefwr is represented by Jonathan Edwards and Carmarthenshire West and South Pembrokeshire is represented by Simon Hart – but with the Parliamentary shake-up, the whole of Carmarthenshire will now become one seat, represented by one MP.

Plaid Cymru members in the county voted for Ann Davies to be the party’s candidate for the seat in next year’s general election.

Ann was born and bred in the county and has serviced as county councillor for Llandarog ward since 2017. In 2021, she was named the council’s cabinet member for rural affairs, community cohesion and planning policy.

The former University of Wales Trinity St David lecturer in early years learning and former roaming music teacher is also the joint owner of a local nursery and has farmed in the Llanarthne area since 1992.

Plaid say she is a hardworking, approachable campaigner locally and serves as a county chair for a farming union and as a prominent voice in the campaign against pylons along the Tywi Valley.

Ann said: “It is an honour to be selected as Plaid Cymru’s candidate for the new Caerfyrddin constituency in the upcoming general election. I was born and bred in the county – and understand the challenges facing our towns, villages and communities.

“I want to be a strong, experienced voice to stand against the unfairness, and the social injustice that is being driven by the Conservative government in Westminster and challenge the disregard towards our rural communities shown all too often by the Welsh Labour Government in Cardiff Bay.

“I’m excited about the campaign and the opportunity to be out speaking with as many people as possible across the length and breadth of the constituency, listening to the issues that impact their day-to-day lives, and sharing Plaid Cymru’s positive message for fairness, for ambition, and for Wales.”

Adam Price, Plaid Cymru’s MS for Carmarthen East & Dinefwr, said: “I am thrilled that Ann has been selected as our candidate here in the new seat of Caerfyrddin. The quality of the contest for the candidacy was incredibly high and that pressure has yielded excellent results for Plaid Cymru in Sir Gar.

“I look forward to giving Ann my full support for the upcoming election campaign, as we look to win what has always been a critical seat for the party. Ann can deliver for Plaid Cymru, for Carmarthenshire, and for Wales.”

Cefin Campbell, MS for Mid & West Wales, added: “Ann’s track record as a hard-working community champion cannot be understated. She is dedicated, approachable, experienced and understands the area of hardship facing so many – from our agricultural areas to our post-industrial communities.

“Her background, experience and deep roots in the communities of Carmarthenshire, would make her a terrific Member of Parliament – from Ammanford to Abergorlech, Llandovery to Llanboidy.

“It’s time to unite behind Ann, and ensure she is elected to join the hard-working team of Plaid Cymru MPs that always put Wales’ interests first.”