Chase Blount, a 19-year-old student, took a bold leap into politics, standing as a Conservative candidate in a Cwmbran council by-election. Unfortunately, his first election was a bit of a disaster, securing just 22 votes and finishing last. Ouch!
Despite the setback, Chase is taking it all in stride. In a reflective article, he described the experience as “humiliating,” yet surprisingly enlightening. The election had been triggered because the previous councillor from Reform UK was removed for not attending meetings, costing local taxpayers around £10,000. Interestingly, Reform candidate Stephen Whitehorn stormed to victory, proving that sometimes, surprises come in all sizes.
Chase, a University of Bath student living miles away from his ward, doesn’t believe his student status hindered his chances. He thinks the local preference for the Reform party was more about disillusionment with Labour and Reform’s strong presence both locally and nationally.
Reform’s Cllr Thomas cheekily responded online, noting that while he might have skipped council meetings, he was still active in the community, solving real issues. He argued that the by-election win showed the value of genuine local action over mere attendance at meetings.
Despite the crushing loss, Chase is leaving the election with newfound optimism. He believes the lessons learned and the experience gained may serve him well in a future run. Sometimes, it’s not just about the winning, but about the journey and what it teaches you.