REFORM UK has gained another foothold in Welsh local government after narrowly winning a council by-election in Bridgend, marking the party’s second electoral success in Wales.
On Thursday, 1 May, voters in the Pyle, Kenfig Hill and Cefn Cribwr ward went to the polls following the resignation of Labour councillor Mike Kearn from Bridgend County Borough Council. In a closely fought contest, Reform UK candidate Owain Clatworthy edged out Labour’s Gary Chappell by just 30 votes, taking 697 to Labour’s 667.
Despite the loss, Labour retains overall control of the council. However, the result bolsters Reform’s presence in Welsh local government, bringing their total number of councillors across Wales to eight.
Mr Clatworthy becomes only the second Reform candidate to win a council seat in Wales through election. Following the result, he expressed his gratitude to the community, stating: “I’m honoured to have been elected as Councillor for Pyle, Kenfig Hill & Cefn Cribwr. Thank you to everyone who backed change. I’m here to listen, serve, and deliver for our community. Let’s build a ward that works for everyone.”
He continued: “Winning this seat is only the beginning. We will stand candidates in every seat in Bridgend in 2027. I will work hard for every one living in this community. Reform UK listens to what people actually want and we will always put their priorities first. The work begins now.”
Clatworthy now joins Labour councillors Jane Gebbie and Huw David as the third representative for the ward. The by-election saw a six-way contest with the following results:
- Owain Clatworthy (Reform UK): 697
- Gary Chappell (Labour): 667
- Rhys Watkins (Independent): 351
- Amy Moss (Plaid Cymru): 154
- Byron John Davies (Conservative): 55
- Debra Ann Cooper (Green Party): 54
Reform UK’s Welsh breakthrough comes amidst a wave of successes for the party in England. In a similarly tight race, they recently claimed victory over Labour by just six votes in the Runcorn and Helsby by-election. The party also made history by winning its first mayoral post in Greater Lincolnshire, with Dame Andrea Jenkyns emerging victorious.
The party now holds five seats in Westminster and continues to build momentum ahead of future elections. Nigel Farage, Reform UK’s honorary president, hailed the recent wins as a “big moment” in British politics.
Back in February, Reform UK secured its first ever council by-election victory in Wales when Stuart Kyle beat Labour by nearly 200 votes to win a seat on Torfaen Council. That ward now also counts councillors David Thomas, Alan Slade, and Jason O’Connell among its Reform representatives, all of whom defected from other parties.
Further momentum was gained in March when three more councillors defected to Reform UK in Wales: Geoff Morgan (Ithon Valley Ward, formerly Independent), Claire Jonson-Wood (Llanyre with Nantmel Ward, formerly Independent), and Iain McIntosh (Yscir with Honddu Isaf and Llanddew Ward, formerly Conservative). Speaking at the time, Mr Farage said these moves showed how the party was “broadening and deepening” its appeal.
With its latest victory in Bridgend, Reform UK continues to establish itself as a growing force in Welsh local politics—one that is increasingly challenging the traditional dominance of Labour in many communities.
