**Reform UK Celebrates Historic By-Election Victory in Carmarthenshire**
Reform UK has made significant inroads in Carmarthenshire, marking a milestone with its first victory in the county council following a decisive by-election in the Lliedi ward. Michelle Beer, standing for the party, emerged as the leading candidate among a crowded field, securing the seat with a considerable margin over her closest rival. The result signals a new political presence in the region and reflects shifting sentiments among voters in South West Wales.
Mrs Beer, now the first Reform UK county councillor in Carmarthenshire as well as in the neighbouring counties of Swansea, Pembrokeshire, and Ceredigion, triumphed with 568 votes. Her nearest challenger, Labour’s Andrew Bragoli, trailed significantly behind with 312 votes. The by-election, which saw eight candidates vie for the position, was triggered by the passing of independent councillor Anthony Leyshon, prompting widespread interest and engagement among local residents.
Reflecting on her success, Mrs Beer expressed confidence in the local appetite for political change. “I was aware that support for Reform UK in the area was robust,” she commented, while also emphasising that her team did not take the outcome for granted. “There was a strong sense of competition throughout the campaign, and we remained focused and determined throughout.”
Interestingly, this foray into elected office marks Mrs Beer’s first personal involvement as a candidate, although she has previous experience supporting her husband, Gareth, who contested the Llanelli seat in last year’s national poll. Encouraged by fellow party members to take up the candidacy, Mrs Beer approached the campaign as an opportunity to engage closely with local people. “From the start, we conducted extensive door-to-door outreach. The prevailing feedback was a sense of frustration—many felt unheard and observed a general decline in services and civic engagement. Our campaign sought to address those concerns directly.”
Residents’ sentiments singled out both local and national representatives as being unresponsive, according to Mrs Beer. When asked about her readiness for the responsibilities of county governance, she pointed to her prior work for a district council while living in New Zealand, expressing confidence that she would adapt swiftly to local systems and protocols.
One issue that dominated discussion during the campaign was council tax. “It’s unsustainable to keep increasing the council tax rates,” explained Mrs Beer. “There appears to be considerable waste, and I believe efficiencies can be found in procurement and management, similar to strategies in private sector businesses.” She clarified that her approach does not involve cutting essential services.
Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, has made noticeable gains in England’s recent local elections, prompting debates around policies such as the role of diversity and inclusion officers. However, Cllr Beer said that with her being the lone Reform UK representative on Carmarthenshire Council, her focus would remain on the practical needs of her constituents—be it repairing roads, improving waste collection, or addressing everyday issues. Looking ahead, she hinted that broader party agendas may become more relevant as they target further seats in future elections.
Tracing her personal history, Cllr Beer shared her roots in Llanelli, where her parents, originally from Hong Kong, ran a family business. She holds a diverse background: after attending college, she managed a marketing firm, studied at Bible school, and later contributed to the family’s business interests. She and her husband have four children and currently reside in Kidwelly, although, as she put it, “Llanelli is my hometown—I travel there daily and feel deeply connected to the community.”
Runner-up Andrew Bragoli, a well-known Llanelli town councillor and Labour representative, offered his congratulations to Cllr Beer. “She had a clear win, and I wish her well in living up to her promises,” he said candidly. Mr Bragoli suggested that last year’s Labour Government decision to means-test the winter fuel payment for pensioners had proved unpopular, impacting his campaign negatively. He reflected that, had the contest taken place a year earlier, he would have expected a much stronger performance.
The wider context for this result is a council currently governed by a Plaid Cymru and Independent coalition. Lliedi now has two councillors: Independent Cllr Rob James, and Cllr Beer for Reform UK.
The full results of the by-election, held on 29 May, saw turnout at just over 33%. Mrs Beer’s victory represents both personal achievement and a notable moment in the ongoing evolution of Welsh local politics, signalling a potential shift as voters express their dissatisfaction with established parties and turn to new voices at the council table.