 Political activism in the Rhondda has a deep link with trade unions and the socialist movement but was initially slow to develop . In the 1870s the Amalgamated Association of Miners won support , but was destroyed by employer hostility . The Cambrian Miners ’ Association was more successful and the creation of the South Wales Miners ' Federation after the 1898 coal strike , gave the South Wales miners a reputation for militancy , in which the Rhondda Valley played its part . As part of the Redistribution Act of 1885 the Rhondda was granted its first seat in Parliament which was won by the moderate trade union leader William Abraham , who was notably the only working @-@ class member elected in Wales . Socialism and syndicalism ideals grew throughout the 20th century and industrial struggle reached a crescendo in the 1910 @-@ 11 Tonypandy Riots . A year later Tonypandy saw the publication of Noah Ablett ’ s pamphlet The Miners ' Next Step . Tonypandy was at the centre of further public disorder when , on 11 June 1936 at Dewinton Field , a large group of people gathered to confront the open @-@ air address by Tommy Moran , propaganda officer of the British Union of Fascists . The crowd , recorded as between 2 @,@ 000 and 6 @,@ 000 strong , turned violent and police were forced to protect Moran 's Blackshirt bodyguard . Seven local people were arrested . 
