Reform UK candidate wins town council seat

A Reform UK candidate has been elected to Newtown and Llanllwchaiarn Town Council following a vote in the town’s East ward.

Kevin James Mitchell won the seat after securing 139 votes in the recent election, finishing ahead of Gemma Louise Offland of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, who received 78 votes, and independent candidate Zwelibanzi Radebe, who polled 48. There were four spoiled ballot papers.

The result marks the first time a Reform UK candidate has been elected to the town council.

A total of 269 votes were cast from an electorate of 1,588, representing a turnout of 17%.

The count took place shortly after polls closed, with the official result declared later that evening.

Mr Mitchell will formally take up his role once he has signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office and agreed to abide by the council’s Code of Conduct.

Town Clerk Ed Humphreys said: “I extend a warm welcome to your new town councillor and, with officers, will do our utmost to help Mr Mitchell understand and fulfil his duties as an elected representative working with others to make democratic decisions in the interests of the community as a whole.

“I’d also like to thank the other candidates for their interest and participation in the democratic electoral process, and of course those voters who turned out to cast their vote in the common purpose. Finally, I thank the Returning Officer and staff for conducting the democratic electoral process itself.”

Town councils play a role in representing local communities and influencing decisions on services, facilities and local priorities, although they do not control major areas such as health, education or county-level infrastructure.

The East ward election follows a vacancy on the council, with the newly elected councillor expected to represent local residents on town-level matters in the months ahead.