Carmarthen East and Dinefwr back on the Radar.

Plaid Cymru AM and former Heritage Minister Rhodri Glyn Thomas has prompted speculation  with his early  announcement  he will stand down at the next Welsh assembly election. Due in 2016

He has been a member of the assembly since it was established in 1999.

Mr Thomas will have represented Carmarthen East and Dinefwr for 17 years by the next election  

Which in itself is thought provoking as there will be people voting who were babies when thew Assembly came in to existence and have no knowledge of a Wales without it.

With a 4,148 majority over Labour in 2011 his departure announcement will  turn to who will seek the party nomination.

Front runner would have been former  local MP Adam Price .

However back in June last year Adam, indicated that he was leaving main stream politics

He Said:

I’m not saying that I’m turning my back on the idea of public service – I believe politicians can make a difference and that democratic institutions are vital. But they are not the the be all and end all, and there are other ways to make a contribution.”“But I feel a need to achieve something positive that will hopefully change Wales for the better.

Western Mail  33rd of June 2012 

So has Rhodri  Glyn, decided this is the time  to announce retirement divert accusations that he has been pressurised to quit to let the Pri(n)ce over the Water in?

Others being mentioned are Nerys Evans  who has in her past been e an organiser for Plaid Cymru in Carmarthen East and Dinefwr and worked as press officer for the Plaid Cymru group on Carmarthenshire  council n 2006 Nerys was AM Plaid Cymru n Mid and West Wales 2007-2011

In the 2011 election she took the brave step to forgo the regional list and fight Carmarthen West and South Prembrokeshire.

Holding the Plaid Vote in what was a bad year for the party.

Welsh Assembly Election 2011: Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Conservative	Angela Burns	10,095	35.9	+5.8
	Labour	Christine Gwyther	8,591	30.5	+0.8
	Plaid Cymru	Nerys Evans	8,373	29.7	+0.5
	Liberal Democrats	Selwyn Runnett	1,097	3.9	−2.4
Majority			1,504	5.3
Turnout			28,156	48.1	−1.6
	Conservative hold		Swing	+2.5

So she may well have some considerable  support in the Constituency

An other mentioned is Helen Mary Jones but she may prefer to have another crack at Llanelli  which she lost last time but has established a personal presence there.

A bitter contest may do the Party damage whilst a enthusiastic contest may be an advantage on whoever selected and establish he or she among the electorate.

Still its early days yet and there may well be others weighing up their chances and Rhodri Glyn has ensured C

armarthen East and Dinefwr will remain on the  Radar for the foreseeable future.