Reform UK wins by-election to take second seat on Carmarthenshire County Council
Martin Shipton
Reform UK has won its second seat on Carmarthenshire County Council, taking the Llangennech ward from Labour in a by-election caused by the death of former councillor Gary Jones.
Reform’s Carmelo Colasanto got 694 votes, with Plaid Cymru’s Richard Talog Jones in second place with 489.
Labour’s Jordan Sargent got 380 votes; Justin Griffiths of the Liberal Democrats 26; Edward Evans, Welsh Conservative 14; and Wayne Erasmus of Gwlad 6.
The turnout was 39.37%, considered not bad for a council by-election.
Haemorrhaging
Plaid Cymru, which for many years held both seats in the ward with ex-councillors Gwyn Hopkins and Gwyneth Thomas, campaigned heavily in the seat, but the haemorrhaging of Labour votes to Reform ensured victory for the right-wing populist party.
Jonathan Edwards, the former Plaid Cymru and Independent MP for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr, said: “Plaid Cymru are claiming that they will win three seats next May in the Senedd election in the Sir Gar super-seat, which they need to do if Adam Price, who is third on the party’s list, is to be returned to the Senedd.
“Two convincing Reform county council victories in the Llanelli part of the constituency [Reform took another Labour seat in the Lliedi by-election in May] indicates that a return of three seats is highly ambitious.
“Llangennech is a traditionally strong Plaid Cymru voting community.
“To win the election nationally, three seats in Sir Gar would be useful. A return of only two seats could be nationally significant.
“All the momentum, even west of the Loughor, seems to be with a populist right wing British nationalism. Plaid strategists should be very worried.”
‘Devastating’
Cllr Alun Lenny, Plaid Cymru’s cabinet member for resources on Carmarthenshire County Council, said: “It’s a very disappointing result for Plaid Cymru, but it’s absolutely devastating for Labour. We lost 100 votes from the last council election in 2022, but Labour lost 600. In 2022 Gary Jones got 981 votes and this time they were down to 380.
“Reform are on a roll at the moment, but it’s a party built around one man, Nigel Farage. We’ve already seen signs of tension in Reform, and I expect there will be more. Sooner or later it will unravel as people find out more about what they stand for and as they observe the chaos in the English councils they now run, including one led by a teenager.”
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Another awful result for Plaid who hope to lead the Welsh Gov next year. I am also starting to get concerned by Plaid’s laissez-faire attitude to Reform. Cllr Alun Lenny, Plaid Cymru’s cabinet member for resources on Carmarthenshire County Council “Sooner or later it will unravel” and unbelievably in the Guardian this week Rhun ap Iorwerth saying ” I’m quite sure Reform will fizzle out”. It’s insane and politically crazy. What if Reform don’t “fizzle out” Rhun. Then what’s the plan?
Again I find myself agreeing with you. In my opinion Plaid and other parties are inherently lazy relying far too much on a predicted implosion of Reform. To criticise Reform for lack of coherent policies and action plans is a bit rich when all the established parties spend most of their time slagging off each other or Reform and doing next to nothing to present visions, plans and broad costings for us dumb electorate to mull over. The parties are creating even more of a vacuum, just the conditions for Reform to thrive.
PC need to get their arse in gear or they will become irrelevant like the way labour is heading.
It’s pretty obvious that Reform will be the biggest party after the senedd; now it’s a question if they can get the majority, possibly with the tories supporting. The corbyn party increases that possibility.
The question is why Plaid are doing so poorly. In my part of North wales they barely register on anyone’s radar. It’s not the policies, it’s just they are invisible.
Shameful result. As I’ve said before, voting tactically would have kept Reform out. Still waiting to see what their other councillor has achieved since being elected. Notice Stan Robinson kept out of the photo. But then he never bothers to turn up at a count.
So, you don’t like democracy if it doesn’t go your way then? Voting tactically is not democracy. Everyone should vote for their choice and may the best man/woman win.
Voting tactically to keep ethnocidal psychopaths and traitors out of power is sometimes necessary.
If that is how you characterise decent people who happen to hold different views to you, thank Heaven your choice did not get elected. The left is all the same; it’s only democracy if they win.
Reform, decent people? Don’t make me laugh.
She’s completely correct, reform supporters are lower than vermin and shouldn’t be allowed in our communities.
Every accusation a confession.
Unfortunately with reform there is no “best”. Usually bordering on incompetent or just downright hostile.
So creating a Cabinet comprising of unelected Farage cronies is?
A very sad night for Llangennech, Bryn and Cymru. Reform UK an English Natalionist Ltd Co taking the seat. Not a surprise really when this was put on a door I was canvassing.
‘Plaid Labour please do not bother we are right wing racists in this house – REFORM’
That is a sad banner to put on anyone’s door. Why would anyone want to be a racist? This is due to a lack of integration, but integration only really starts with a welcome. I wonder where they found that PC was the most popular party in Wales?
More than calling themselves racist. The sign is criticising the moral superiority that Labour and Plaid project about those who disagree with their political stance, particularly about illegal migration.
I hate this topic of illegal migration. I detest this vile attempt to bring in racism and supremacy into every conversation about economic growth and productivity.
I don’t believe the poster said any such thing.
Yeah but you believe anything that they tell you, don’t you, bootlicker?
Some people are just blinded and blinkered by their hatred of people like me.
I do.
Polishing their jack boots. Get marching.
Plaid are tainted by their Senedd ‘love in’ with Labour.
The Stradey Hotel affair has handed Llanelli to Reform.
If more people knew about the Dublin regulation they would not vote Reform.
But isn’t the Dublin Regulation an EU regulation? Given the way Reform supporters feel about the EU having any sort of influence in the UK, wouldn’t that make them more likely to vote Reform?
Non-EU states including Switzerland and Iceland participate in Dublin and before we left there were no small boat crossings.
But you might be right that Reformers actually prefer small boat crossings so they can complain about small boat crossings.
Wel pa syndod. Sir Gâr wedi hen fynd rhwng y cŵn a’r brain. Y lle yn llawn gwaldychwyr imperialaidd a ffug Gymru plastig taeogiadd a charidymllyd o hil Dic Siôn Dafydd. A llond gwlad o stadau tai newydd di-angen i’w cartrefu. Roeddwn yno yn ddiweddar. Ofnadwy. Teimlo’n swp sal wrth weld y fath ddiwreiddio a dadgynefino.
Reform actually won the seat off Labour, who held the seat. Although Llangennech has been Plaid Cymru voting in the past it should be noted that Gwyn Hopkins, quoted in the article, was actually suspended by Plaid Cymru back in 2017 when he spoke out about Plaid parachuting in candidates from Cardiff. Over half of Llanelli members resigned at the time, the Ty Bres lockout, and it was act of vandalism against the local Plaid Cymru branch. Learn the lessons.
If only voters could be trusted to rank candidates in order of preference.
I’m afraid the Llanelli area has become a lost cause. Absolutely bonkers.
I agree,
It would be true to say that Reform picked up votes from both the local Welsh Speaking and Non Welsh Speaking community.
What could have also helped Reform are the demographic changes that have taken place in Llangennech which is happening throughout rural and semi rural Cymru.
This is “Little England beyond Wales”.
I agree with the comments about another dismal result for Plaid (and that they look increasingly complacent and lazy – Heledd Fychan’s commitment to increase spending on culture without saying where the money is coming from is yet another example. However, I’m not sure a Reform/Tory majority is yet on the cards. Still looks like Plaid/Labour most likely to me. Either way it’s going to produce a very weak government.
The internal polling from one party I’m close to says it’s too close to call at the moment, reform/troy is the most likely outcome. The tories are in an interesting position – support as a minority, a coalition or neither? All are
Reform always underpoll by 3-4%, plus now you’ve got the corbyn party taking a few % off of labour and plaid.
You could be right. Until recently it seemed that Reform were largely taking votes from the Tories; but if the former start making inroads into the Labour vote it could be a very different outcome. Still not convinced that Llanelli is typical though. The Stradey Park fiasco has handed Reform a massive boost in the area.
Plaid stating they will allow Labour through the back door in a coalition next year has not helped them. If reform do win at least our countryside will be saved from pylons, solar farms and giant wind turbines. no 20mph zones, end of minimum price on alcohol and we may have a relief road built.They are also pro farming.
And deform will drill oil and gas until the dinosaurs return.
I am not a Reform supporter but destroying the countryside with turbines, pylons, and solar farms can’t possibly do any good for the environment.And if you think electric vehicles are good look at the damage mining for lithium is doing in Bolivia and China. Elon Musk, Dale Vince and the Chinese government must be laughing at everyone. They all benefit a lot with this greenwashing.
Eh? You want to re think that? Balance out a gas or coal power churning out issues vs a turbine or panel?
Re Chinese. They have past the tipping point, the green energy they produce at the mot out weights the EU production and it is getting bigger.
The other week was the first time the UK had produced over 50% of its energy green.
Really, these idea’s that green is bad have been debunked but like the pesky vampires in b movies, some idiot keeps them going.
So you don’t use electricity then? Good for you. Or is just that you want the generating plants to be somwehere else?
So glad to learn that Reform finally has a set of policies. Are you related to Paul Nutall by any chance?
re 20. Its a net benefit to us. I know reform types are a bit thin in the thinking area but when we have nice stuff, reform want to break it because labour.
Jeff, for starters I am not a Reform supporter. But can you tell me what are we going to do with with all the dead turbines, solar farms and pylons in the future? It takes1,500 tonnes of coal to produce one steel wind turbine. If you remember your basic science in school you only get out what you put in. So in what sense are they renewable? I believe we should plant more trees, clean up the rivers, support our farmers who produce climate friendly meat and dairy products and clean up our fuels we have now. We have done… Read more »
You haven’t given any alternative. I’ve never understood this argument that because something better is still flawed we should stick with something far worse.
Are you sponsored by the oil and gas industry?
Climate friendly meat? Ha ha ha ha! Science not your strong point is it? And the line that “everyone I know thinks…” is the classic sign of an idiot. Look up the Dunbar number, think about it, then tell us how many you know. As for the concrete, why should we ever have to shift it? There is no better way to produce power in the foreseeable future.
Have they? Plaid will be finished as a political force in Wales if they go into another coalition with Labour and I don’t think “Welsh” Labour would toe the line as a junior party either.
For goodness sakes, Plaid need to wake up and see Reform for the threat they are and answer accordingly, not with an announcement on “culture spending”. The people of Wales need to hear hard facts and figures about how Plaid will address the problems with the NHS, Education and Housing. Perhaps also emphasise how we are being ripped off by the Crown Estate, HS2 and energy, and respond with how independence from Westminster is the only realistic way we can implement change in Wales. Sticking their heads in the sand and pretending Reform will go away is not going to… Read more »
This result makes me ashamed to be Welsh. When did we allow our country to be infiltrated by fascism?
Well done Reform. I read one of you English councillors found millions in savings and so lets hope you too can find savings.
Keep up the momentum.
Take off your blinkers, go to you tube, and look at Political Custard’s reports on bigoted, dumb and incompetent Reform councillors. No shortage of material there.
There’s are Indeed plenty of news articles with headlines degrading Reform in some way or another. A lot written by opposing council members or their associates. However, when the surface is scratched they seldom amount to much, especially when compared to what others get away with. I won’t be looking at Political Custard as I suspect it serves the same reheated spin as the rest, but thank you for the reference. However, if Reform are truly the bigoted, clueless circus act you and Political Custard seem to portray, then it should be easy for their opponents to present the electorate with their… Read more »