WATCH: Nigel Farage speaks to GB News about Reform’s future in Wales
| GB NEWS
Scott Thorley has become the first councillor for Nigel Farage’s party in Pembrokeshire
Reform UK has won its first councillor on a Welsh council as the party looks to make gains in this year’s Senedd elections.
Nigel Farage’s party has won the Hakin by-election on Pembrokeshire County Council, with Scott Thorley becoming Reform’s first councillor in the independently controlled authority.
The by-election was called after the death of outspoken former councillor Mike Stoddart.
GB News has dissected the result and what it could mean for the major parties going forward into the Welsh Parliament election.
This week’s sole council by-election was held after the death of local journalist turned Councillor, Mike Stoddart.
The by-election made headlines after the Welsh Labour candidate, Nicola Harteveld, withdrew from the contest after her teenage son was verbally abused by two strangers.
Reform UK’s Scott Thorley won the by-election in the ward, with 179 votes, with Welsh Conservative Party Kelvin Taylor in second place on 144 votes.
Independent candidate Lee James Bridges came in third in 106 with Samuel Booth from the Wales Green Party in fourth on 85 votes.
Reform UK has won its first councillor on a Welsh council as the party looks to make gains in this year’s Senedd elections.
Nigel Farage’s party has won the Hakin by-election on Pembrokeshire County Council, with Scott Thorley becoming Reform’s first councillor in the independently controlled authority.
The by-election was called after the death of outspoken former councillor Mike Stoddart.
GB News has dissected the result and what it could mean for the major parties going forward into the Welsh Parliament election.
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This week’s sole council by-election was held after the death of local journalist turned Councillor, Mike Stoddart.
The by-election made headlines after the Welsh Labour candidate, Nicola Harteveld, withdrew from the contest after her teenage son was verbally abused by two strangers.
Reform UK’s Scott Thorley won the by-election in the ward, with 179 votes, with Welsh Conservative Party Kelvin Taylor in second place on 144 votes.
Independent candidate Lee James Bridges came in third in 106 with Samuel Booth from the Wales Green Party in fourth on 85 votes.
Member
Wrong GB News. Reform won their first councillor in Wales where Stuart Keyte who was elected to Torfaen Council.
Reform UK’s Scott Thorley came out on top
| REFORM UK
Samuel Warden from the Welsh Liberal Democrats was in fifth on 57 votes, with Ms Harteveld still attracting 27 votes for Welsh Labour despite her suspending all campaigning. Independent Derrick Abbott came in last on 11 votes.
A total of 661 votes were cast, with the turnout at 32.7 per cent.
Plaid Cymru did not field a candidate.
It was not the first time Mr Thorley had stood as a candidate for Nigel Farage’s party in Pembrokeshire.
Mr Thorley previously stood in the Prendergast Haverfordwest ward, which was won by Independent Alun Wills, with the Reform candidate finishing in fourth.
Speaking after his victory, Mr Thorley told The Tenby Observer: “It was a massive honour to win last night and I’m more than aware I’ve got some massive shoes to fill in Hakin.
“I’ve already started work this morning and have responded to four residents first thing. People in Hakin just want the basics done right and someone they can reach out with any issues they have; I will be that person.
Reform UK’s candidate in the Caerphilly by-election, Llyr Powell, said: “Voters want change, and Reform UK is ready to deliver it. Vote Reform. Get Reform.