**Reform UK Makes Gains in Wales with By-Election Victory in Bridgend**
Nigel Farage’s Reform UK has secured another foothold in Welsh local politics by winning a pivotal by-election in Bridgend County Borough. The win, clinched on Thursday 1 May, increases the number of Reform councillors in Wales to eight. This marks a gradual, but significant rise in the party’s influence across multiple councils in the country.
The by-election in question was called following the resignation of Labour’s Mike Kearn, leaving a vacancy in the multi-member ward of Pyle, Kenfig Hill and Cefn Cribwr. The contest proved to be a closely-fought affair, with Reform’s candidate, Owain Clatworthy, edging out Labour rival Gary Chappell by a razor-thin margin of just 30 votes. The official tally placed Clatworthy on 697 votes and Chappell at 667, an indication of the ward’s political competitiveness.
Despite Reform UK’s victory, Labour continues to maintain an overall majority on Bridgend County Borough Council. However, the result reflects mounting pressure from Reform, which has been attempting to capitalise on voter discontent and position itself as a robust alternative both locally and nationally.
Speaking after the election, Owain Clatworthy expressed gratitude for the support he had received, emphasising his commitment to his constituents: “I’m honoured to have been elected as Councillor for Pyle, Kenfig Hill & Cefn Cribwr. Thank you to everyone who backed change. I’m here to listen, serve, and deliver for our community. Let’s build a ward that works for everyone.” Clatworthy’s election makes him only the second Reform councillor in Wales to win office outright, underlining the party’s early but noteworthy progress in the region.
This local success coincides with broader momentum for Reform UK throughout the country. In the same period, Reform edged out Labour by just six votes in the Runcorn and Helsby by-election in England—a result that further bolstered party leader Nigel Farage’s claim that this is a “big moment” for British politics. The party also celebrated its first mayoral win in Greater Lincolnshire, where Dame Andrea Jenkyns claimed victory, consolidating Reform’s presence in English local government.
February saw Reform UK notch up its first council by-election win in Wales, when Stuart Kyle defeated Labour by a substantial margin in Torfaen. Since then, Reform has also benefited from defections: David Thomas, Alan Slade, and Jason O’Connell joined the party after previously serving under different banners on Torfaen Council.
Further high-profile defections have contributed to the party’s expansion in Wales. In March, Nigel Farage welcomed three more councillors: Geoff Morgan (Ithon Valley Ward, formerly Independent), Cllr Claire Jonson-Wood (Llanyre with Nantmel Ward, formerly Independent), and Cllr Iain McIntosh (Yscir with Honddu Isaf and Llanddew ward, formerly Conservative). Farage has interpreted these moves as evidence that his party is, in his own words, “broadening and deepening” across the country.
The full results for the Bridgend by-election underline a fractured political landscape. Labour (Gary Chappell) received 667 votes, with Reform’s Owain Clatworthy narrowly ahead on 697. The Conservatives trailed with only 55 votes (Byron John Davies), while the Green Party candidate Debra Ann Cooper garnered 54. Plaid Cymru’s Any Moss picked up 154 votes, and Independent Rhys Watkins secured 351.
While Labour retains control of the council, the ascendance of Reform UK in both Wales and England may prompt the more established parties to reassess their strategies moving forward. With councils becoming increasingly competitive, and with Farage’s party steadily increasing its representation in Westminster—now with five MPs—the political dynamics of both Wales and the rest of the UK could be poised to shift in the coming months.
As the 2025 local elections progress, all eyes will be on whether Reform UK can maintain this momentum and further disrupt the traditional balance of power within local government across the United Kingdom.