Labour holds Baglan seat in Neath Port Talbot by-election as Reform slips to third

The contest was triggered by the death of long-serving councillor Peter Richards, who had represented Baglan since 2004. Labour candidate Josh Tuck won the seat with 708 votes, defeating independent candidate Wendy Blethyn (532 votes) and Reform UK’s John Bamsey, who came third with 447 votes2.

“I’m just over the moon but also so grateful to the people of Baglan for putting their trust in me,” said Cllr Tuck. “Peter Richards was a friend to Baglan and an incredibly hard-working councillor. I’ll do my best to honour his legacy.”

Tuck said his immediate priorities include tackling road and pavement repairs, cutting back hedgerows and trees, and opposing lay-by parking charges at Aberavon beach, which he described as “a huge issue for us.”

The turnout for the by-election was 33.99%, with 1,886 votes cast from an electorate of 5,558.

Reform’s momentum stalls in Baglan

Reform UK had entered the contest with growing momentum, following recent by-election wins in Carmarthenshire, Bridgend, and Torfaen, and a surge in national polling that placed the party ahead of Labour in several Welsh constituencies46.

However, the Baglan result suggests that Reform’s appeal may be more variable at ward level. Despite a strong showing, Reform fell short of overtaking Labour or the independent candidate, raising questions about the party’s ability to convert national polling strength into consistent local wins.

Swansea Bay News previously reported on Reform’s rise across South West Wales, including its landslide victory in Llanelli, its projected Senedd seat gains, and its growing influence in debates over welfare reform, education, and tourism policy: 🔗 Reform projected to have most Senedd seats but Plaid and Labour coalition most likely government 🔗 New polling shows Reform surge redrawing the political map in South West Wales 🔗 Reform win landslide victory in Llanelli by-election

Final results – Baglan by-election, 17 July 2025