News

Five-way race for two council seats with Reform UK the only party standing

21 Aug 2026 3 minute read

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage (left) answers questions from the media with new leader of Reform UK in Wales, Dan Thomas. Photo Andrew Matthews/PA Wire

Twm Owen – Local democracy reporter

Five candidates are in a battle to fill two vacancies on a local council with Reform UK the only political party fighting the election.

It has put forward two candidates for the election to Blaenavon Town Council caused following the resignation of two members who represented the town’s west ward.

The other three candidates are all independents.

Reform, which topped the poll in the combined Sir Fynwy Torfaen constituency at May’s Senedd election and won two of the six seats, has enjoyed success at community council level in Pontypool and Cwmbran since 2025 having won its first Torfaen borough council seat in the same year.

It will also use the poll as preparation for elections to principal local authorities in Wales next year with Torfaen Borough Council one of its top targets.

Blaenavon Town Council currently has six independent members and four from the Labour Party with two of its 12 seats vacant due to the resignations of councillors Annalisa Beavan and Ian Parfitt. Both had been co-opted on to the council in June 2022.

“The council welcomes the fact that the election is being contested by a diverse range of candidates,” said Blaenavon Town Council’s chief officer Kevin Warren: “Strong participation and a genuine choice for electors contribute to the democratic health of Blaenavon and are in line with the aims of the council’s democratic health strategy.”

Town councils aren’t responsible for statutory services such as social care or education but can make representations on planning applications, and other local issues, to the borough council and other authorities.

Blaenavon Town Council also has a number of projects related to the health and wellbeing and the cost of living.

Councillors aren’t paid a salary but do receive a small allowance towards costs.

The Blaenavon West ward by-election will take place on Thursday, September 17 with polls open from 7am to 10pm and any registered voter aged 16 or over from the ward is entitled to vote.

The deadline to register to vote is Tuesday, September 1 at midnight. Applications can be made online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.

Polling stations will be at Forgeside Community Centre, Bethel King Street Baptist Chapel and Blaenavon Workmen’s Hall.

Full list of candidates: Nigel Hirst Cuttell – Reform UK, Brett Ford – Independent, Terry Gardener – Independent, Andrew Francis Moncrieff – Reform UK and Andrew Pritchard – Independent.

Support our Nation today

For the price of a cup of coffee a month you can help us create an independent, not-for-profit, national news service for the people of Wales, by the people of Wales.