NOW that the candidates for the Treorchy ward by-election on Thursday, June 25, have been revealed it’s time to hear what they’re offering the people of the ward as they bid to become their next councillor.
The poll is being held to replace Sera Evans, the former Plaid Cymru councillor for the area, who was elected to the Senedd in May representing Afan Ogwr Rhondda.
The candidates are Daniel Buck of the Wales Green Party, Richard Clarke of Plaid Cymru, Craig Ford of Reform UK, David Morris of Welsh Labour, and Cerys Walker of the Welsh Conservatives.
The other current councillor for Treorchy is Councillor Bob Harris of Labour who is also a cabinet member communities, culture, and leisure.
As it stands in RCT there are 58 councillors in the Labour group, seven councillors in the Plaid Cymru group, three in the Independent group, three in the RCT Independent group, two in the Conservative group, and one not specified.
Polling takes place between 7am and 10pm on Thursday, June 25.
Here is what the candidates had to say ahead of the vote later this month.
Daniel Buck (Wales Green Party)
Daniel Buck is the Wales Green Party candidate for the Treorchy by-election.
He said: “In short I’m running to try and push Treorchy into having a smarter, more active political conversation.
“When all is said and done I want whoever takes the seat to have actual ideas, actual plans for lifting our town up – not just a vague pledge to honour local pride.
“Personally I want to tackle the real sources of our local problems – especially rising rent rates and outside businesses that want to cash in on development opportunities.
“But the more important thing is Treorchy – the whole upper Rhondda honestly – needs to get smart about standing up for what we have here.”
Richard Clarke (Plaid Cymru)
Richard Clarke is standing for Plaid Cymru.
He mentioned his history of campaigning in the area including the 2022 campaign to get Health Inspectorate Wales to investigate Forest View GP surgery and lobbying RCT Cabinet in October 2025 to give better provisions to disabled drivers which resulted in an increase of the number of disabled bays for residents and Treorchy being given seven new disabled bays on or near the high street.
He also mentioned leading the group in 2025 that managed to get illegal gates removed that were blocking access to the forestry in Cwmparc.
“At the Senedd elections I did an enormous amount of research to educate people about the voting system and claims made by politicians standing for election. I must say that it had over 1.5m hits and had an anti-Reform stance.
“Having read all the manifestos I quickly realised that I was aligned to Plaid Cymru policies and was delighted to be asked to stand as their candidate after doing a lot of campaigning for them in the last week of the election.
“I have only ever been a member of one political party, Plaid Cymru. I am visible in the community every day and have been for years.
“My positive campaign focusses on being part of a strong local team with reach to the Senedd members for Plaid Cymru in the area.
“I have also put a few local issues in my manifesto but recognise if the good people of Treorchy, Cwmparc, and Ynyswen were good enough to elect me I will have 10 months on the council in opposition.
“I really want to scrutinise this council and hopefully springboard us to major success at full council level in 2027.”
Craig Ford (Reform UK)
Craig Ford is the Reform UK candidate for the Treorchy by-election.
He said: “I’ve lived in the Rhondda all my life and for the past 10 years I’ve lived in Cwmparc where my wife and I are raising our two young children.
“As a local parent, the issues facing families across Treorchy, Cwmparc, and Ynyswen are part of everyday life for me — the school run, road safety outside our schools, the wait for a GP appointment, the condition of local roads, and the need for better opportunities for young people.
“I’m standing because Treorchy, Cwmparc, and Ynyswen are proud communities with huge potential but residents too often feel overlooked.
“My priorities are practical: safer roads around our schools, GP access people can rely on, proper support for the shops and traders that keep our high streets alive, and genuine opportunities for young people to build their futures here in the valley.
“If elected I will be a local, visible, and approachable councillor who listens, speaks up, and always puts residents first.”
David Morris (Welsh Labour)
David Morris is the Labour candidate for the by-election.
He has spent the majority of his life serving in various forms – whether through his time in the army, his work with St John Ambulance and the cadets, or as a school governor in Treorchy.
If electe, he commits to being an “active, visible and accessible councillor who will work hard, alongside Councillor Bob Harris, to ensure that all of the communities that comprise the ward continue to benefit from RCT Labour’s record levels of investment in services and facilities”.
Cerys Walker (Welsh Conservative Party)
Cerys Walker is standing for the Welsh Conservative Party in the Treorchy by-election.
She said: “I am standing in this by-election because I believe our community deserves strong, responsive, and accountable representation.
“I am committed to listening to residents, addressing local concerns, and working hard to improve services and opportunities for everyone.
“My priorities include supporting local families, strengthening our community, promoting economic growth, and ensuring that public resources are used effectively.
“If elected I will represent all residents fairly and transparently, keeping regular contact with the community and acting in its best interests.
“I would be grateful for your support and the opportunity to serve our community.”
