FIVE candidates will fight it out to fill a vacancy on Torfaen Borough Council caused by the resignation of a Labour member.
The Reform Party is hoping to add to its number on the council by winning its first council seat in Wales in the Trevethin and Penygarn by-election while the Green Party is aiming to win its first seat on the council.
Labour will be defending the seat formerly held by Sue Malson, who resigned in November, while two independent candidates have also put their names forward for the February 13 poll.
The outcome of the by-election will not change the balance of power at the Civic Centre as Labour has a majority of 17 but is being keenly fought as Reform is hoping to cash in on strong polling, across the UK and in Wales, by claiming its first seat through the ballot box.
Its current group on the council was formed by three previously independent councillors.
It has selected former army major Stuart Keyte as its candidate while Labour’s candidate Toniann Phillips is a volunteer trustee and treasurer of a local community centre.
Labour has been campaigning in the ward with Torfaen MP Nick Thomas-Symonds joined by UK cabinet colleague, Welsh secretary Jo Stevens and former MP Lord Paul Murphy, and has also drafted in volunteers from Cardiff for weekend canvassing.
Reform had supporters from across Gwent in the ward and shared photographs on social media showing more than 30 supporters campaigning over the weekend.
The Green Party candidate is Tony Clark while the independent candidates are Catherine Ann Howells and Louise Shepphard, both of Trevethin.
At the 2022 local government elections, Labour won both seats in the Trevethin and Penygarn ward, finishing more than 350 votes clear of the only challengers, the Conservatives.
A by-election is also being held to Pontypool Community Council, in the New Inn Upper Ward, following Cllr Malson’s resignation.
That will be a straight fight between Labour candidate Sarah Evans and Stephen John Senior for the Conservatives. Community councils aren’t divided into political groups but candidates can stand under party banners.
Both elections will take place on Thursday, February 13 from 7am to 10pm with those aged 16 or over entitled to vote. The deadline to register 12 midnight on Tuesday, January 28. Applications can be made at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.