[1] Jenkins died on 8 December 1944, but as World War II was still underway, the process of calling a by-election was slow, and the date was ultimately set as 15 May 1945.
[2] The RCP had been leading supporters of strikes by coal miners which had occurred in the area in 1944, for which efforts some of its members had been imprisoned.
Several local miners' lodges had supported their defence, and the RCP had sent a prominent member, John Lawrence, as a full-time organiser for the area, recruiting some activists in Merthyr Tydfil, Llanelli and Swansea.
Williams repudiated the Communist support, opposing its policy of a popular front with the Conservatives and Labour after the war.
[2] After repeated requests from the RCP, the CPGB agreed to hold a debate in Neath, putting up Alun Thomas, leader of the Communist Party in West Wales, against Haston.
Haston took only 1,781 votes, losing his deposit,[4] but the RCP claimed the campaign a success and maintained a full-time organiser in the area.