[1] In October 2018, the sitting MP Paul Flynn indicated his intention to resign his seat in the imminent future following a worsening of his rheumatoid arthritis.

[2] At the time, Flynn indicated that he would wait for a snap general election in case that allowed him to stand down without triggering a by-election, citing the expense involved in organising and holding one.

[5][6] Flynn had indicated his intention to stand down at or before the next general election and political parties had begun to select candidates in Newport West for the next general election,[7] including Jonathan Clark (Plaid Cymru),[8] Matthew Evans (Welsh Conservatives), Ruth Jones (Welsh Labour)[6] and Amelia Womack (Green Party).

[15] Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford announced on 12 March that the expected decision on the construction of an M4 relief road around Newport would be delayed due to the purdah rules that had taken effect during the by-election.

Such rules prevented the government from making major policy announcements to avoid unduly influencing an election campaign.