A fresh row has erupted in Haverfordwest after the town council refused to fill a vacant seat — a decision some say shows it is unwilling to face up to concerns about racism.
The argument began earlier this year when the council co-opted Cllr Scott Thorley, a former Reform UK candidate, to fill a vacancy. Reform UK has been criticised by anti-racism groups for policies they believe undermine equality in Wales.
When another seat became vacant, local businesswoman Elaine Gunning put herself forward. But at a meeting on 17 July, councillors voted nine to three against her.
In her speech to the council, Ms Gunning said she was worried about the earlier decision to appoint Cllr Thorley, who had stood for Reform in county elections. She told councillors she believed Reform was “a notoriously racist political party” and accused the council of leaving the new seat empty “rather than face community concerns about racism.”
After the vote, she said:
“It felt like the council didn’t want a diversity of opinions. Reform has openly said it wants to scrap the Anti-Racist Wales Action Plan and end the Nation of Sanctuary policy. I couldn’t understand why a Reform candidate would be welcomed when their views go against the council’s own commitments.”
Cllr Thorley hit back, saying the council “is not political” and that Ms Gunning made “a political speech” that turned councillors against her.
“She lost the vote by making it political and should respect democracy,” he said. “To accuse the council of protecting their decision is nonsense.”
The council said it is “not linked to any political party” and that councillors can hold personal views as long as they follow the law and the code of conduct. It added that while Ms Gunning’s application was “strong in many respects”, her choice to start with a direct attack on a sitting councillor “did not help to promote respectful collaboration.”
They also said other applicants in the past had been turned down, and stressed that Cllr Thorley is an “active and positive” member who supports the Anti-Racist Wales Action Plan.
Vacancies in Prendergast and Priory Wards are still open — but the debate has left some locals asking whether speaking out against the council comes at the cost of a seat at the table.
