LABOUR has unveiled its shortlist of candidates to vie for Paul Murphy’s seat at the General Election.

The former Welsh Secretary announced his decision to stand down last month, saying it was time for someone younger to “carry the Labour flag in our valley”.

Five candidates will fight for the Torfaen candidature in the seat held by the veteran politician since 1987.

They are Joss Garman, Hywel Lloyd, Majid Rahman, Nick Thomas-Symonds and Sarah Woodall.

A vote of local party members is to be held on March 7.

Mr Garman, 29, from Llandrindod Wells, is an environmental campaigner and a former political director of the environmental group Greenpeace.

More recently he has been working for UNICEF and the TUC, and is currently focussed on energy policy at the Institute for Public Policy Research.

He said: “Nothing would make me prouder than to stand up for Torfaen on the national stage.”

Mr Lloyd, 50, was born in Southampton, studied at Bath University, before living and working in Bath, Kent and London.

He runs his own company, Facilitating the Future, which provides strategic advice and support to organisations looking to make changes or realise opportunities towards a sustainable UK.

He has worked with local authorities on energy, social care and education, as well as with global organisations.

He said: “I’m standing because I’ve been brought up to contribute my skills and knowledge to the greater good, to value community, work, and of course Wales; and because Torfaen, as with much of Wales, faces big challenges over the next Parliament – cuts, local government changes, an imbalanced economy.

“My skills mean I can help rebalance the economy west, in the direct of Torfaen.”

Newport councillor, Majid Rahman, 26, currently works as a liability investigator for Admiral Insurance.

He volunteered as a Careers Wales Mentor for GCSE students at Llantarnam High School and continues to work with the 104th Royal Artillery Regiment in community engagement and recruitment.

He said: “I've led and took part in campaigns such as the campaign against youth homelessness, introducing the living wage at a local authority level and have campaigned against domestic violence.

“I have also campaigned for more funding for the ward I represent in a time of cuts. I want to apply the same passion and energy for Torfaen, to work with the community, councillors and AM to find alternatives to cuts.”

Mr Thomas-Symonds, 34, is from Blaenavon but lives in Abersychan with his wife and children.

He has been a barrister for over 10 years and has been a Labour Party activist in Torfaen for nearly 18 years, and is currently the secretary of the local party.

He said: “My core socialist values come from the community I grew up in, and its industrial heritage – my grandfather was a miner, and my father worked in Llanwern Steel Works for over 35 years.

“I am seeking the Labour nomination because I want to stand up for working people – to end zero-hours contracts, and to attract more and better quality jobs to Torfaen.”

Mrs Woodall, who lives near Abergavenny, is a working mother and is currently a tax and devolution adviser.

She is a qualified mediator and volunteers for Samaritans.

She said: “I know how to communicate to get your voices heard. I am trained by Samaritans to listen. So I know how Wales’ recession under the Tories has damaged lives.

“We have faced cut after cut. I think the hard decisions are about finding ways to keep services going in tough times and the easy option is to close services down. Housing, health, employment and universal benefits are all top priorities for me.”