Nigel Farage has claimed a key by-election win after announcing his party’s new leader in Wales.
Reform UK topped the poll in the Ynys Gybi (Ynys Môn) by-election on Thursday in the Isle of Anglesey, Wales, overturning a Plaid Cymru seat.
Labour meanwhile slumped to 12.5 per cent and the Tories fell to just over eight per cent.
Reform’s victory will be a blow to Plaid Cymru leader, Rhun ap Iorwerth, who is a Member of the Senedd for Ynys Môn.
Reacting to the win, Reform’s deputy leader, Richard Tice, said: “Huge WIN for Reform in Wales Gain from Plaid Cymru, in their Leader’s seat. Wales wants Reform UK.”
Reform’s latest by-election win comes after Mr Farage announced former Conservative council leader Dan Thomas as the party’s new Welsh leader yesterday.
Mr Thomas, who was born and grew up in the South Wales Valleys, led Barnet Council in London from 2019 until 2022 and defected to Reform from the Conservatives in June last year.
He later quit as a councillor for Finchley Church End after returning to his home country with his family.
Mr Farage also announced that former Conservative politician James Evans had defected to Reform UK, becoming the party’s latest recruit ahead of the Senedd elections in May.
Nigel Farage’s party scooped the most votes in the Ynys Gybi by-election
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GETTY
Ynys Gybi, Isle of Anglesey
Reform scooped a total of 43.9 per cent of the votes in the Ynys Gybi by-election, securing a seat on Isle of Anglesey County Council.
The winning candidate was Celfyn Wyn Furlong, who said he was “humbled and proud” to have been elected.
Mr Furlong wrote on Facebook: “Thank you to everyone who gave their solidarity, and to everyone who came out to vote for me.This result sends a clear message.
“People want to change and people want common sense back in local politics.
Reform candidate Celfyn Wyn Furlong has secured a seat on Isle of Anglesey County Council after winning in the by-election
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FACEBOOK/REFORM UK
“Thank you from the heart to my campaigning team, supporters, family, and all the staff in the voting stations.
“None of this would be possible without you.The real work is starting now.
“I will be working hard every day to stand over Gybi Island and Anglesey Island. Ynys Gybi voted for reform. Gybi Island will be reformed.”
Reform UK said in a statement on social media: “A huge congratulations to Cllr Celfyn Furlong!
“On the very same day that we announced our new leader in Wales, we won a by-election in a Plaid Cymru stronghold.”
The full results are:
- Reform: 43.9 per cent
- Plaid Cymru: 25 per cent
- Labour: 12.5 per cent
- Greens: 8.6 per cent
- Conservatives: 8.2 per cent
- Independent: 1.9 per cent
Clevedon South, North Somerset
Labour narrowly kept hold of its seat in the Clevedon South ward on North Somerset Council, with candidate Michael Harriott bagging 29 per cent of votes.
Celebrating the win, Labour’s North Somerset branch said: “We are delighted to share that Labour’s Michael Harriott has been elected to North Somerset Council in the Clevedon South by-election.
“Michael will now follow through on the promises he made in the campaign, working with Labour colleagues to get the best deal for Clevedon.”
Michael Harriott (left) won with 29 per cent of the votes
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FACEBOOK/NORTH SOMERSET LABOUR PARTY
Reform came closely behind Labour in the by-election, winning over 27.7 per cent of voters.
The full results are:
- Labour: 29 per cent
- Reform: 27.7 per cent
- Conservatives: 18.6 per cent
- Greens: 16.3 per cent
- Lib Dems: 8.3 per cent