**Labour Councillor Faces Backlash Over Remarks at Briton Ferry Meeting**
A Labour councillor in Briton Ferry, Neath Port Talbot, has found herself at the centre of a racism row after making comments about the arrival of black people in the town during an official council meeting. The incident, which took place on 25 June 2025, has sparked significant concern among residents and prompted calls for both party and official investigation.
Susan Davies, who has represented the Craig-Y-Darren ward on Briton Ferry town council for nearly three decades, admitted to asking, “What are we going to do about all the black people coming to Briton Ferry?” while speaking during a council discussion. Witnesses described a sense of shock and discomfort among councillors when the question was raised.
When approached by Wales Online and other local media, Ms Davies was candid about her remarks and apologised, insisting there was no racist intent behind her words. According to Ms Davies, her comment was intended to highlight issues brought to her attention by several constituents, and she expressed deep regret for what she described as a poorly chosen way of speaking. “It just came out wrong, definitely wrong, and I’m really upset about what I said,” she stated, adding, “I would like to apologise to everybody about that.”
Despite her apology, the episode has led to an official complaint being filed with the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales. Simultaneously, the Welsh Labour Party has confirmed it is conducting its own inquiry. The town council issued a statement condemning the language used, declaring it to be “outdated, inappropriate, and not representative of Briton Ferry town council’s values.” The statement also outlined steps being taken to review the council’s code of conduct in response.
Residents of Briton Ferry have found the councillor’s remark deeply troubling. One member of the public, who has lodged a complaint with the ombudsman, said the comment was “disgraceful”, describing it as “hateful ignorance” and saying it had left her mixed-race family feeling deeply hurt and unwelcome. Others have called for Ms Davies to resign, claiming her continued presence in office is “untenable”.
Fellow Labour councillor Colin Morgan, who represents the Shelone Wood area, reported that another councillor immediately challenged Ms Davies after her remark. Mr Morgan described the incident as “unfortunate” and said he was surprised to hear such comments in an official forum, suggesting it was something he would have expected in a different, more informal setting. However, he also argued that Ms Davies was merely conveying concerns from certain constituents and did not personally endorse the views she repeated.
Amid mounting scrutiny, Ms Davies maintained that she does not harbour racist beliefs. She highlighted her long service as a teacher and councillor, referencing her interactions with people from diverse backgrounds as evidence. “I’ve been with Labour 40 years and the town council since 1997 and I’ve never had a bad word said against me because I’m not that type of person,” she said. Nevertheless, she admitted distress over the situation and uncertainty about her future on the council and within the Labour party.
The wider context of this controversy is a town council that has faced criticism before. Earlier this year, the county council released a critical assessment of Briton Ferry meetings, citing poor behaviour and lack of respect among members. Additional training has since been provided, and Neath East county councillor Wayne Carpenter noted that the situation will continue to be monitored closely.
Neath Port Talbot county borough council clarified that Ms Davies is not one of its members, but acknowledged that the right channels for investigation are now being followed. The Public Services Ombudsman for Wales has stated that it does not comment on active complaints until a decision to investigate has been made.
As the Labour Party and public authorities deliberate on the next steps, this incident has prompted renewed calls for elected representatives to use language that reflects modern values and safeguards the dignity of all individuals in their communities. Local officials are also looking to bolster training and awareness for councillors to help prevent similar incidents in future.
While the outcome of the investigations remains to be seen, the events have highlighted ongoing challenges in public life regarding race, representation, and respect – not only at Briton Ferry but across the country.