Reform UK tops Leeswood by-election after Labour collapse
Reform UK has gained the Leeswood seat on Flintshire County Council following a closely contested by-election.
The poll took place on Thursday 22 January to elect one county councillor after the death of Labour councillor Ray Hughes, who had represented the ward since 2008.
Official results show Reform UK candidate Kristian Salkeld finished first with 160 votes, equivalent to 22.3 per cent of the total.
He won by a margin of 22 votes over independent candidate Joseph Caruana, who received 138 votes, or 19.2 per cent. Another independent, David Rule, followed closely behind with 135 votes, or 18.8 per cent.
A third independent candidate, Shaun Owen, polled 17 votes, representing 2.4 per cent of those cast.
Welsh Labour candidate William Raymond Thomas, commonly known as Ray Thomas, finished fourth with 87 votes, or 12.1 per cent. Labour had held the Leeswood seat for many years prior to the by-election.
Flintshire People’s Voice candidate Allison Davies secured 79 votes, or 11.0 per cent.
The Welsh Liberal Democrats candidate, Richard Oliver Durrant, commonly known as Richard Sefton, received 68 votes, or 9.5 per cent, while Welsh Conservative candidate Oliver Martin Wilson polled 34 votes, or 4.7 per cent.
Turnout at the by-election was 718.
Newly elected Councillor Salkeld said: “I’m absolutely delighted to announce that I have been elected as the county councillor for the ward. I have campaigned with honesty and integrity. I would like to thank everyone for your support and votes. I would also like to take the opportunity to thank the other candidates for the passion they’ve all shown for the ward. The job starts now. I have spoken to David Rule about a community ‘get together’. A litter picking event for members of the community, this not only gets people together, it’s also great exercise and good for your mental health.”
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