As someone born and raised in the valleys, it is an honour to be elected to represent the community of Islwyn in Parliament.

Full statement

Brought up in the Rhondda valleys, I was educated at Porth County Comprehensive, Pontypridd College and Trinity College, Carmarthen where I graduated with a history degree.

Upon finishing university, I worked for Jack Brown (Bookmakers) Ltd before moving on to work for Lloyds TSB as a Personal Account Manager and then later working at the University of Glamorgan.

In 2004, I was appointed as a trade union official with the Union of Finance Staff where I campaigned to save finance and IT jobs from being off-shored.

Most recently, I spent four years working as parliamentary researcher to Don Touhig, the former MP for Islwyn, until his decision to stand down at the May 2010 General Election.

I have been a member of the Labour Party since the age of 15, holding positions at every level of the Party. I am also a member of Unite, the Fabian Society and the Co-operative Party.

Having previously stood for Parliament in 2005 as the Labour candidate in Cheltenham, I was elected the Member of Parliament for Islwyn in 2010.

In my spare time, I enjoy reading, running as well as watching most sports.

Source: http://www.welshlabour.wales/chris_evans_mp