The Liberal Democrat candidate, former midwife and district nurse Susan Grounds defeated Labour in what had been considered a safe area heartland territory for them across the former mining community, as they fell into fourth place.
The Liberal Democrats also left Reform UK trailing in third place, despite Reform’s claims that former industrial communities in Wales such as Ystalyfera are where they think they will perform best.
The result means the Welsh Liberal Democrats now have three councillors on Neath Port Talbot Council and their first in the Swansea Valley and according to the Liberal Democrats stands them in good stead for the Senedd elections next year.
The final result was: Liberal Democrat 34%, Plaid Cymru 30%, Reform 13%, Labour 13%, Independent 9% and Conservative 1%.
Commenting on the win, Welsh Liberal Democrat MP for Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe David Chadwick said: “This is a fantastic victory for the Welsh Liberal Democrats right in Labour’s heartlands. Whether it’s the cuts to the winter fuel allowance and disability benefits or the record-breaking NHS waiting lists in Wales, people are crying out for change and are fed up with stagnation and decline under Labour.
“The Liberal Democrats are winning across Wales again and are out here proving we can challenge the status quo.
“I look forward to working hand in hand with Susan as her MP to champion communities across Cwmllynfell & Ystalyfera and the entire Swansea Valley.”
Adding her comments Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds MS said: “As we head into our party conference tomorrow, this win in Cwmllynfell & Ystalyfera shows there is nowhere across Wales that the Welsh Liberal Democrats can’t win as we head into next year’s Senedd elections.
“We’ve shown that the hype about ‘how well’ Reform is doing in our former mining and industrial towns is misplaced and in fact, people just want change and someone to listen to their concerns which have gone ignored for far too long.
“The Welsh Liberal Democrats will continue to work hard across Wales to provide voters with that voice for positive change in our communities.
Thanking local residents, newly elected local councillor Susan Grounds said: “I’d like to thank everyone from across the community who have placed their trust in me to represent them on the council.
“I’m looking forward to getting stuck in straight away and ensuring local residents’ voices are heard loud and clear by the Council and the issues raised with me in the campaign are tackled.”
