PLAID CYMRU has suffered a rare by-election setback on Anglesey after Reform UK claimed a seat in the Ynys Gybi ward, although the party remains firmly in control of the council and dominant across the island.
Reform candidate Celfyn Furlong won Thursday’s by-election, which was held following the death of long-serving councillor and former Football Association of Wales president Trefor Lloyd Hughes, who passed away in November aged 77. Mr Furlong finished ahead of Plaid Cymru’s Bethan Jones in a contest that saw a relatively modest turnout of 33.3 per cent.
Despite the result, Plaid continues to be by far the largest party on Anglesey Council, holding 19 seats, compared with 11 independents, three Labour councillors and a single representative each from the Liberal Democrats and Reform UK.
Anglesey remains a stronghold for Plaid at both Westminster and Senedd level, and the party retains a clear majority presence on the authority, including continued representation for Ynys Gybi through other councillors.
The by-election was widely seen as a difficult contest, taking place outside a full election cycle and following the loss of a well-known and respected local figure. By-elections have historically produced unpredictable results, particularly with low turnout and a crowded field of candidates.
Reform Wales leader Dan Thomas described the outcome as a “sensational victory”, seeking to frame the result as symbolic, although political observers cautioned against reading too much into a single ward contest.
Ynys Gybi, also known as Holy Island, continues to be represented on Anglesey Council by Keith Roberts (Labour) and Dafydd Rhys Thomas (Independent).
Following his election, Mr Furlong paid tribute to Mr Lloyd Hughes, describing him as a “talisman that will never be forgotten”, and said he was honoured to have been elected.
Full by-election results:
- Celfyn Furlong (Reform UK) – 603
- Bethan Jones (Plaid Cymru) – 343
- Mary Roberts (Labour) – 171
- Nick Bounds (Green Party) – 118
- Margaret John (Conservative) – 112
- Robert Williams (Independent) – 26
One ballot paper was rejected.
