Tory vote collapses after dropping from first to last in council by-election

The Conservatives saw their vote collapse in a local by-election, falling from first to last, with the Liberal Democrats surging into the lead.

A by-election was held in the Fairwood ward in Swansea after the death of former Conservative Lord Mayor of Swansea, Paxton Hood-Williams.

Mr Hood-Williams, who lived in Three Crosses, served as the Lord Mayor for 2024-25, which he described at the time as an "honour and a privilege".

GB News has taken a look at the by-election and what the results mean for the state of the Welsh council.

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In the ward to the west of the city, Beth Rowe took Sir Ed Davey's party from last to first, romping home with 240 votes, a majority of 55 over second place candidate, Welsh Labour's Nigel Evans.

Stephen Taylor from Reform UK came in third on 139 votes, with independent candidate Paul Dennis in fourth on 94 votes.

In last was fellow independent candidate Matthew Ward on 77 votes.

Plaid Cymru, who saw massive success at the Senedd elections earlier this year, did not field a candidate.

Reacting to her win, a spokesman for Swansea and Gower Liberal Democrats said: "Huge congratulations to Councillor Beth Rowe on her fantastic victory. Beth will be a strong voice for Fairwood and will be fighting for local people every step of the way."

The result strengthens the Lib Dem presence on the council, where Sir Ed Davey's party form the Liberal Democrats & Independent Opposition Group with 18 councillors.

Labour still holds a majority on the council with 43 councillors, with the Welsh Conservatives having three councillors.

The localist Uplands Party have two councillors, with four non-aligned independent councillors with one non-affiliated Green Party councillor.

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In Westminster, the corresponding Gower constituency was won by Labour's Tonia Antoniazzi, who was voted in with an increased majority of 11,567 over Conservative candidate and former Olympic triathlete Marc Jenkins.

Earlier this year, Plaid Cymru came out on top the corresponding Gŵyr Abertawe ward with Gwyn Williams, Safa Elhassan and John Davies elected for Rhun ap Iorwerth's party.

Also elected in the seat was Reform's Francesca O'Brien and Steven Rodaway, as well as Labour's Mike Hedges.

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