For those who might have been questioning the importance of the Carmarthen East and Dinefwr seat at this year’s general election, the events of the past seven should have dismissed any doubts.

Plaid Cymru chose to launch their campaign on Friday in the constituency with party leader Leanne Wood and Baron Dafydd Wigley joining sitting MP Jonathan Edwards at Ffos Las.

Not to be outdone, Labour brought the First Minister Carwyn Jones, Shadow Welsh Secretary Owen Smith, retiring Neath MP Peter Hain, plus AMs galore to kick-start their campaign in front of Ammanford’s miners’ memorial.

The fact Welsh Labour decided to begin their election charge in a Plaid Cymru seat is telling in the extreme.

Even more so is the fact that few from the Labour ranks will dare even mention the P word.

Plaid, despite holding Carmarthen East and Dinefwr for the past three elections, is treated as an unwelcome interloper; an annoying insect, barely worthy of the effort required to swat it away, as Labour look to limit the entrants to this “two-horse race”.

The Conservatives meanwhile have also finally raised heads above the parapet, but no word yet from the Liberal Democrats or Ukip.

One thing is for sure, the race to win Carmarthen East and Dinefwr is no foregone conclusion and there will be twists and turns a-plenty over the coming days and weeks.

Never has there been a greater reason to make sure we the public register to vote and get out on May 7 to make our mark.