Reform UK win by-election in Welsh county declared ‘Reform free zone’
Twm Owen – Local democracy reporter
Reform UK has won a by-election in a Welsh county that was declared “a Reform-free zone” just a fortnight ago.
The Conservatives had been looking for a fourth successive victory in by-elections to town and community councils in Monmouthshire after successes in Caerwent, Wyesham in Monmouth and Portskewett near Chepstow.
But it was Reform that triumphed in the election to Goetre Community Council with candidate Martin John Stevens topping the poll in the Goytre Ward to become Monmouthshire’s first Reform councillor in the village between Pontypool and Abergavenny.
Though town and community councils are non-partisan, with decisions made by the full council and no division along party lines, candidates can stand for political parties and Reform considers the victory to be significant.
Victory
Stuart Keyte, who is a Reform councillor on Torfaen Borough Council, and chair of its Torfaen and Monmouthshire branch, said contesting the community council elections has been preperation for next year’s Welsh election when the constituencies will be combined to elect six Senedd Members using a proportional system.
Referring to comments made by Richard John, the leader of the Conservative group on Monmouthshire council, Cllr Keyte said: “So much for being a Reform-free zone. The Tories threw the full weight of of their campaign machine with dawn leaflet raids on the day of the election and big names kocking on doors.”
The Torfaen councillor said former MP David Davies had been leafleting for the Conservatives and described the recent elections as “preperation for when the Senedd elections start to kick off.”
Polling
When the Conservatives won the Wyesham ward by-election in July, just days after Conservative Senedd Member Laura Anne Jones who had represented the ward on Monmouthshire County Council defected to Reform, Cllr John had hailed the Tory victory.
He dismissed Reform as offering no more than “soundbites” and said: “Monmouthshire remains a Reform-free zone.”
The victory in Goetre came on a night of celebration for Nigel Farage’s party as it won the previously Labour held Llangennech seat on Carmarthenshire County Council.
Cllr Seat said Reform is challenging across Wales: “We are polling in the high twenties or projected to win in seats across Wales.”
The Goytre Ward by-election was called due to a councillor automatically losing their seat due to failing attend meetings and the eight member council now has one councillor each from Reform, Labour and the Conservatives.
Goetre Community Council, Goytre Ward result
BUTLER Andrew Michael (Local Conservatives) 97
PARRY Neil James 115
STEVENS Martin John (Reform UK 150) Elected
WILLCOX Maureen Catherine 48
Spoilt papers: 0
Turnout: 37 per cent
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Don’t sleepwalk into Reform UK.
Reform UK are far right / fascists.
Since Labour and Conservatives have been completely useless for Wales.
Only Plaid Cymru has the policies Wales need for now and the future.
England has the Liberal Democrats.
Agreed. But, PC are not pushing out their candidates in these areas and I don’t know why? What concerns me is it because of intimidation or personal attacks?
No chance of winning, it’s Monmouthshire. Plaid are currently putting their candidates and their energy where they have a bigger chance of winning.
I doubt it’s anything to do with intimidation, Monmouthshire doesn’t like being Welsh, they’ve even protested to become an english county, a bit embarrassing really. So no surprise they have idiots prepared to vote for another english nationalist party.
I can’t wait for Political Custard (on you tube) to get stuck into these clowns in a month or two, after they have had a chance to display their ignorance and incompetence, just as many other Reform morons have.
The village only had 1 village idiot now it has 150 VILLAGE IDIOTS VOTING REFORM
You’re not wrong, only BritNats, racists and politically ignorant will vote for Reform
I would be genuinely worried for my children’s safety having that many reform supporters near by.
Watching the other councils where they are in, its a brown mess show already.
But that turnout, that is how the extreme far right will win.
What you have to remember that the Labour party in Llanelli is as anti Welsh as Reform is and always has been
Congratulations to Reform…keep up the momentum.
KEEP THE FILTH OF OF FASCISM OUT OF WALES. There is no place for them or their supporters in our country.
Yes Rick. How are Neil, Vivian and Mike keeping.
All this proves is that there are a lot of fed up and politically ignorant tory voters in that council ward
Monmouthshire, the orphan county with a identity crisis. Imagine being stuck for centuries between two countries that didn’t want you.