The new Reform councillor was previously a member of the Conservative Party
Reform UK has taken a seat from Plaid Cymru in the party’s north Wales heartlands in a council by-election. Reform now has its first councillor on Isle of Anglesey County Council after Celfyn Furlong was elected as the new councillor for the Ynys Gybi ward.
It comes after Nigel Farage announced Reform’s leader in Wales in Newport on Thursday. Dan Thomas, a former Tory leader of a greater London council who was born in Blackwood, was named as the person who will be leading Reform into May’s Senedd election.
Celebrating his party’s “sensational” by-election victory overnight, the new leader said Reform will be fighting for every single vote “from the former Labour heartlands to the former Plaid heartlands.”
It was a comfortable victory for Reform, with candidate Celfyn Furlong receiving 603 votes compared to Plaid Cymru candidate Bethan Pari Jones’ 343. The turnout for the election was 33.3%.
According to the Isle of Anglesey County Council website, Mr Furlong was a registered member of the Conservative Party from January 1 to May 31, 2025.
The by-election was triggered after long-serving Plaid Cymru councillor and Football Association of Wales (FAW) president Trefor Lloyd Hughes MBE died in November.
In a post made after his victory, newly-elected councillor Furlong paid tribute to Mr Hughes and said that the result sends a “clear message” that “people want change”. Always keep on top of the latest Welsh news with our newsletter
He said: “Before anything else, I want to pay tribute to the late Trefor Lloyd Hughes MBE. A man who gave Ynys Gybi, Ynys Môn and indeed Wales, years of service. A talisman that will never be forgotten. Tonight I accept this seat with respect for his legacy, and with determination to serve the people as he did.
“I am absolutely humbled and honoured to have been elected to represent Ynys Gybi. Thank you to everyone who put their trust in me and to everyone who came out to vote for me.
“This result sends a clear message. People want change, and people want common sense back in local politics.
“A huge thank you to my campaign team, supporters, family and all polling staff. None of this would be possible without you.
“Now the real work begins. I will work hard every day to stand up for our community.
“Ynys Gybi voted Reform. Ynys Gybi will have Reform”
Mr Thomas, the new leader of Reform Wales, said: “This is a sensational victory for Reform, and it shows that we can win absolutely anywhere here in Wales. From the former Labour heartlands to the former Plaid heartlands, we are fighting for every single vote so we can deliver the change Wales desperately needs.”
Here are the full results of the Ynys Gybi by-election:
- BOUNDS, Nick, Green Party: 118
- FURLONG, Celfyn Wyn, Reform: 603 ELECTED
- JOHN, Margaret Fredericka, Conservative: 112
- JONES, Bethan Pari, Plaid Cymru: 343
- ROBERTS, Mary Elizabeth, Labour: 171
- WILLIAMS, Robert, Independent: 26