Brendan Roberts is the Welsh Liberal Democrats’ candidate in this Thursday’s by-election for a Torfaen County Borough Council seat in the Llantarnam Ward of Cwmbran.
Cwmbran Life offered candidates the chance to write a piece about why residents should vote for them.
Brendan wrote: “Llantarnam isn’t just a ward on a map – it is where my family’s story began. Some politicians try to draw rigid boundaries around who counts as “local,” but real connection is about shared history. While others claim exclusive ownership of this area despite their own roots lying elsewhere, my family’s deep connection to Llantarnam is completely undeniable.
The Roberts family started in Cwmbran. My grandparents met at The Oakfield. My father and his sisters attended Llantarnam Comprehensive, and our roots run right across this community.
“Members of my family still reside and work in the ward – from Dad at Burton’s Biscuits, my sister at Willow Tree Nursery, or an auntie and cousin at Mr Chippy and another auntie at Millingtons. My family doesn’t just know Llantarnam; we are Llantarnam.
“My public service track record is defined by practical delivery here in Torfaen. As a transport officer, many EV chargers across our borough exist because of my direct work. In 2023, I petitioned Torfaen to switch to the Single Transferable Vote system to give you a fairer voice.
“The Labour leadership dismissed it out of hand – a typical case of a leader who claims to support electoral reform nationally, yet couldn’t bite the bullet to implement it locally to save his party’s own backside. Looking at recent Senedd results and fracturing council seats, I bet they secretly wish they had listened to me now.
“In the third sector, I proudly influenced the landmark policy change to eliminate profit from the care of looked-after children. Today, I serve as an elected Henllys Community Councillor and Policy Officer for the Welsh Liberal Democrats. My work as a local councillor and recent run as a Senedd candidate show the difference I offer: a sensible, centre-ground alternative with a straightforward, no-frills, can-do attitude.
People are disenfranchised with the tribal games of Labour and the Conservatives.
“Meanwhile, groups like Reform UK, Plaid Cymru, and the Greens offer nothing but noisy populism and nationalism – in fact, Plaid Cymru and the Greens do not have a single elected councillor anywhere in Torfaen that has been delivering for you.”
Vote Brendan Roberts. Vote Welsh Liberal Democrats.