**Cardiff Council By-Election in Llanrumney: Full List of Candidates Announced**
A forthcoming by-election in the Llanrumney ward of Cardiff Council is set to take place, following the resignation of Heather Joyce, a longstanding figure in the community and former leader of the council. Residents will head to the polls on Thursday, 24 July 2025, to choose who will represent them after Ms Joyce stepped down earlier this month, citing ill health as the reason for her departure.
Heather Joyce’s departure marks the end of an era for Llanrumney. Having served her local area for over seventeen years, Ms Joyce earned her place in Cardiff’s history by becoming the council’s first female leader in 2012, a role she held until 2014. Her resignation has sparked interest from a range of political parties and community representatives, resulting in six candidates officially standing in the upcoming election.
Those contesting the Llanrumney seat represent a broad spectrum of the political landscape. Standing for the Welsh Conservatives is Ffin Elliott, while Welsh Labour is represented by Lexi Joanna Pocknell. Other candidates include David Fitzpatrick from the Welsh Green Party, Joseph Oscar Gnagbo for Plaid Cymru, Sidney Malik of Reform UK, and Wayne Street representing the Welsh Liberal Democrats. The diversity of candidates reflects Llanrumney’s varied political makeup and underlines the importance of this by-election for the community.
Residents looking to have their say in the by-election are reminded that the deadline to register to vote is midnight on Tuesday, 8 July. Registration can be completed online. Voters wishing to apply for a postal vote must submit applications, or make changes to their postal voting preferences, by 5pm on Wednesday, 9 July. The City of Cardiff Council has made information available for those interested in voting by proxy or requiring additional guidance, all accessible through the council’s website.
In her heartfelt resignation letter, Ms Joyce reflected on the progress made in the ward during her tenure. She cited the delivery of new secondary school facilities, extensive sports amenities—including a new BMX track, skate park, and Cardiff FC training facilities—and the upcoming bridge providing a vital new exit from the estate among key achievements. She noted her pride in having helped foster these improvements for residents.
Recalling her time as the first female leader of Cardiff Council, Ms Joyce expressed the honour she felt, observing how her journey from Hirwaun and as a grandmother living in Llanrumney’s council housing serves as a reminder that anyone, regardless of background, can aspire to prominent public service roles. “I hope my journey proves that anyone, regardless of their background, can aspire to serve in such positions,” she said.
Ms Joyce also highlighted milestone moments from her leadership, such as pushing Cardiff to become the first council in Wales to pay the real living wage, championing city centre redevelopment plans, and spearheading action on youth unemployment. She acknowledged the support of colleagues and paid special tribute to her family for their unwavering encouragement.
Addressing the people of Llanrumney, Ms Joyce offered a sincere thank you for the trust they placed in her across four successive elections, wishing the candidates in the by-election—and her eventual successor—every success. Residents now have the opportunity to decide the future direction of representation for their community.
With the campaign period underway, Llanrumney’s by-election is expected to bring robust debate and a renewed focus on local issues. The outcome could bear significance not only for the ward but for the wider political landscape in Cardiff as well, providing important insight into voter sentiments at a pivotal moment for the city.