Reform UK has claimed another foothold in Welsh local government after winning a by-election in Barry, taking the Illtyd ward from Labour in a result that saw the once-dominant party fall to fourth place.
The new councillor, Brandon Dodd, secured victory for Reform with 729 votes. Plaid Cymru’s Taif Ball came second on 657, while Conservative candidate Vincent Bailey finished third with 445. Labour’s Aled Blake trailed in fourth with 414 votes, and the Greens’ Aoife Blight polled 85.
The result marks Reform’s latest success in Wales, following by-election gains in Carmarthenshire, Torfaen and Bridgend—all taken from Labour.
Labour humiliation
For Labour, which held two of the ward’s three seats as recently as 2022, the outcome represents a dramatic reversal. At that election, Naomi Marshallsea topped the poll with 1,342 votes, followed by her late colleague Howard Hamilton, whose death in July triggered this week’s contest. Conservative councillor Janice Charles retained the third seat with 953 votes, while Plaid’s Taif Ball, also on the ballot this time, managed 589. Reform did not stand.
The party’s collapse to fourth place in a ward it once dominated is being described locally as nothing short of humiliating. Labour will, however, continue to run the Vale of Glamorgan Council as a minority administration, holding 24 of the 54 seats. The Conservatives remain the main opposition with 13 seats, while Plaid Cymru has eight, Independents hold eight, and Reform now one.
Plaid’s frustration
Despite edging Labour aside, Plaid Cymru also fell short of taking the seat. The party already holds two of Illtyd’s three seats on Barry Town Council and had hoped to build on that.
Cllr Mark Hooper, who represents the Baruc ward and will lead Plaid’s campaign in next May’s Senedd election for the new Pen-y-Bont Morgannwg constituency, reflected on the result:
“I believe the Senedd election will end up being a contest between Plaid Cymru and Reform, with Labour and the Conservatives on the margins. People who want to stop Reform from leading Wales should vote for Plaid Cymru.
At the Vale of Glamorgan level, the Illtyd ward has always been a Labour-Tory marginal, and this is the first time those parties haven’t taken first and second place. It will be very worrying for both parties, whose appeal is definitely waning.
We had a good candidate who had the right messages and I don’t think I did anything wrong.
But those who voted for Reform did so for reasons that have nothing to do with Vale of Glamorgan council. They were voting on the usual issues that Farage is given plenty of opportunity to air on the BBC and in papers like the Daily Mail, day after day, week after week.
They were voting for Nigel Farage, not for the young Reform candidate whose name was on the ballot paper. I’m not one to criticise young people’s involvement in politics, but there’s a need for councillors who are able to discuss and make decisions about issues like waste collection and education, which are important.
I’m sure we can beat Reform in Wales, but it will take a lot of work. Onwards to Caerphilly!”
Eyes on Caerphilly
Attention will now shift to Caerphilly, where a by-election for a new Member of the Senedd will be held on 23 October following the death of Labour’s Hefin David in August.
Labour faces fresh turmoil in the county after the resignation of council leader Sean Morgan, who quit the party in protest at Welsh Labour officials blocking his deputy, Cllr Jamie Pritchard, from standing. Pritchard had been barred for showing public support for Jeremy Corbyn during his leadership of the UK party.
Cllr Morgan, now sitting as an Independent, has pledged his support for Plaid Cymru candidate Cllr Lindsay Whittle and has urged others to do the same.
