Nigel Farage's Reform UK secures another Welsh council seat in by-election
The by-election for the Llangennech seat on Carmarthenshire County Council took place on Thursday, August 6, after the death of the much-respected Labour councillor Gary Jones.
This result follows hot on the heels of South East Wales Senedd member, Laura Anne Jones, announcing her defection from the Tories to Reform at the Royal Welsh Show, making her the first Reform MS in the Senedd. The latest victory marks the fourth time a Reform candidate has won an election in Wales.
Torfaen county councillor David Thomas, who himself switched allegiance from independent to Reform last year, hailed the by-election as "proof that people are ready for real change".
In a post on X, he exclaimed: "WE DID IT! A massive congratulations to Councillor Carmelo Colasanto, newly elected in Llangennech and Bryn Ward for Carmarthenshire County Council!", reports Wales Online.
"This is a huge win for Reform UK Wales - proof that people are ready for real change, and that Labour's grip is slipping. Well done Carmelo, the team, and every single volunteer who made this possible.
"The tide is turning - and this is just the beginning. Reform is rising across Wales."
It is also being reported that there was more success for the party overnight, with Reform stating that candidate Martin John Stevens was elected as the new community councillor for Goytre ward in Monmouthshire.
There are also four Reform councillors in Powys and three representatives in Torfaen who either defected from other parties or were previously independent. Conwy also now has two Reform councillors.
The full results of the Llangennech ward by-election are as follows:
Carmelo Colasanto - Reform UK – 694
Richard Talog Jones – Plaid Cymru, The Party of Wales - 489
Jordan Sargent - Welsh Labour – 380
Justin Griffiths - Welsh Liberal Democrats - 26
Edward Evans - Welsh Conservative - 14
Wayne Erasmus - Gwlad - 6
The turnout was 39.37%.
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