Plaid Cymru win council seat by-election in First Minister’s constituency

Plaid Cymru have won a council seat in the Cardiff West constituency held by the Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford.

Plaid Cymru’s Andrea Gibson won the Ely by-election to gain an extra seat for Plaid Cymru on the City of Cardiff Council.

The by-election took place after the death of Labour Councillor Jim Murphy.

Cardiff West was a marginal seat at the 2016 National Assembly election, when Plaid Cymru’s Neil McEvoy coming within 1,176 of the incumbent Mark Drakeford.

Neil McEvoy, who was elected to represent the South Wales Central region for Plaid Cymru, now sits as an independent.

The result was:

• Plaid Cymru: 831, 43.1% (+17.8)
• Labour: 779, 40.4% (-7.1)
• Conservative: 271, 14.1% (-2.4)
• Liberal Democrats: 46, 2.4% (-6.2)

“I would like to thank the people of Ely from the bottom of my heart,” Councillor Andrea Gibson said after the result was announced.

“I’m so glad that this proud community has stood up for itself after being neglected for so long.

“Abandoned houses, litter and crumbling roads were there for all to see. And after so much neglect it would have been easy for people in Ely to give up. But we’re tougher than that.

“This vote is about demanding better. The whole community has sent a clear message that Ely Can.

“I’d also really like to thank new Plaid leader Adam Price and Neil McEvoy. Adam came to campaign in Ely and has brought fresh energy to the party.

“He’s someone that goes down very well on the doorstep in Cardiff and this win shows what’s to come with him in charge. And Neil worked tirelessly for months to help get me elected.

“In houses after house people couldn’t speak highly enough of him. He was the difference and I’m looking forward to working with him now to ensure that Ely gets the attention it needs.”

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