Stuart Keyte, Reform UK, won yesterday’s by-election for the Trevethin & Penygarn ward.
The result was announced at around 11.30pm on Thursday 13 February following the count in a meeting room at Pontypool’s civic centre.
He becomes the first Reform UK county councillor to be elected for the party- with other representatives in Wales defecting to the party.
Following the result, he told Cwmbran Life it feels “frightening” to have won.
“I was probably more frightened about winning than losing. It’s a massive responsibility that I’ve been given by the residents of Trevethin & Penygarn. Their trust in choosing myself as councillor weighs very, very heavy on me and I intend to give it 100 per cent and do the best I can for Trevethin & Penygarn and the people of Pontypool.”
The full result:
- Green Party: Tony Clark- 25
- Independent: Catherine Ann Howells- 117
- Independent: Louise Shepphard- 114
- Labour: Toniann Phillips- 259
- Reform UK: Stuart Keyte- 457
The second councillor representing the ward is Labour’s Jon Horlor. The by-election was held following the resignation of Sue Malson, Labour.