Stephen Kinnock selected as Labour’s candidate for Aberavon

A selection took place in Wales this afternoon that will garner some attention – Stephen Kinnock has been selected as Labour’s candidate for the safe seat of Aberavon.

Kinnock is of course the son of Neil Kinnock (former Labour leader) and Glenys Kinnock (former Europe Minister and Africa Minister in the last Labour government) – as well as being the husband of Danish PM Helle Thorning-Schmidt.

Despite much interest in Kinnock’s candidacy, he was not thought to be the favourite – but he came through an incredibly tight selection to win by the narrowest of margins. The New Statesman’s George Eaton has tweeted that the result was 106-105 in Kinnock’s favour.

Speaking after the selection, Kinnock said:

“I am delighted to have won the support of the local members as the Labour candidate for Aberavon. Hywel Francis has been fantastic advocate for the constituency in Westminster and he leaves very big shoes to fill. My campaign starts now and I’m looking forward to pounding the pavements and putting Labour’s offer to the people of Aberavon.”

The ever reliable Twitter account of the Labour History Group notes that “The last time the child of a Leader of the Labour Party was an MP was Arthur Henderson Jr in 1966”. Incumbent Hywel Francis has a majority of 11,039 – Kinnock will almost certainly be replacing Arthur Henderson Jr in the record books next year.