**Five Candidates Compete for Pontypridd Town Council Seat in By-Election**
Voters in the Pontypridd Town ward are preparing for an important by-election this week, which will decide who fills the vacant seat on the Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council. On Thursday, 17 July, residents will head to the polls to elect a new representative, following the resignation of former councillor Dawn Wood of Plaid Cymru, who stepped down citing health reasons. The outcome could have a significant impact on the future direction of the town centre and its wider community.
The upcoming contest sees five candidates, each representing a different political party, vying for the chance to make a difference in Pontypridd. Those standing are Jeffrey Lee Baxter for the Green Party, Elin Mair Brown for Labour, Wiliam Jac Rees representing Plaid Cymru, Martin William Roberts for Reform UK, and Cerys Walker for the Conservatives. Each contender brings a different set of priorities and experience to the race, reflecting the diversity of issues facing the town.
Jeffrey Lee Baxter, the Green Party’s candidate, is a familiar face in Pontypridd. As a business owner and longstanding community volunteer, Baxter’s background includes stints as a community councillor and school governor. He asserts that issues of climate action and fairness are at the heart of his campaign, pledging to champion an equitable green transition while nurturing community spirit. Away from politics, Baxter enjoys reading, staying active, and spending time with his family.
Elin Mair Brown, Labour’s candidate, is described as a Pontypridd local through and through. Emphasising her deep roots in the town, she pledges to be a proactive councillor who listens to locals and swiftly addresses their concerns. Brown’s plans include enhancing youth facilities by working with key local organisations, supporting mental health initiatives, and lobbying for better roads and infrastructure across the area. She is committed to transparency and restoring faith in local politics, promising her “duty to the people of Pontypridd Town will always come first.”
Standing for Plaid Cymru is Wiliam Jac Rees, a resident of Graigwen who is no stranger to grassroots activism. He is involved with his local neighbourhood watch and participates in regular volunteer clean-up sessions. Rees focuses his campaign on making Pontypridd “cleaner, greener and safer,” intending to address littering, lighting, and anti-social behaviour. Notably, he has promised to donate a portion of his councillor salary to local groups, emphasising community action over party politics and a commitment to open dialogue with residents.
Martin William Roberts, candidate for Reform UK, is positioning himself as a political outsider intent on challenging the status quo. Roberts is highly critical of both Labour and Plaid Cymru’s stewardship of the town, blaming them for a decline in local services, rising council tax, and persistent flooding issues. He’s campaigning on a platform to cut council waste and ensure residents see greater value for the money they pay. Roberts argues only Reform UK can bring about genuine change, rejecting what he describes as “career politicians” in favour of practical solutions based on community feedback.
Finally, the Conservative Party is represented by Cerys Walker. Walker’s background is rooted in community advocacy, with a particular focus on defending home-to-school transport for local children. She has pledged to fight any further cuts to these services, seeing reliable school transport as vital for educational opportunity and family wellbeing. Walker is also campaigning to reduce business rates and revitalise the high street, believing that small, independent businesses are the lifeblood of Pontypridd’s community. Central to her message is a promise to increase accountability, transparency, and responsiveness at the council level.
The by-election comes at a sensitive time for Pontypridd, with residents divided over issues such as taxation, public services, youth support, and environmental priorities. Candidates’ pledges reflect these diverse concerns, with each one asserting that they offer the best hope for meaningful representation.
With so much at stake, the contest is expected to attract considerable local interest. The winning candidate will not only have the opportunity to shape policy but will also be tasked with rebuilding trust in local governance and representing the unique character of Pontypridd Town at RCT Council.
The result, to be announced shortly after Thursday’s vote, will set the tone for Pontypridd’s future, shaping the town’s response to social, economic, and environmental challenges in the months and years ahead.