Voters in two parts of Swansea go to the polls next Thursday, with council by-elections being held in both Morriston and Mumbles on the same day.
The two vacancies have very different causes — one following the death of a long-serving councillor, the other triggered by the Senedd election — and they are the city’s second and third by-elections in a matter of weeks, after the Liberal Democrats took Fairwood from the Conservatives last month in a contest that followed the death of former Lord Mayor Paxton Hood-Williams.
The Morriston by-election follows the death of long-serving councillor Robert Francis-Davies, who passed away in May after 43 years of service.
Known across the city as RFD, he was the council’s cabinet member for investment, regeneration, tourism and events at the time of his death — and over more than four decades was a prominent voice for Swansea’s sporting and cultural landmarks, credited with helping deliver the Swansea.com Stadium and the National Waterfront Museum.
Tributes following his death described him as a “true Swansea legend” — and this week a giant graffiti tribute bearing his initials appeared on the front wall of St Helen’s stadium, alongside the words “The Legacy Remains in Place”.
Among the six candidates hoping to succeed him is his daughter — Rebecca Francis-Davies, standing for Welsh Labour, the party her father represented throughout his time on the council — meaning Morriston voters will decide whether the seat stays in the family.
The full list of candidates, in ballot paper order:
- Graham Ashby — Reform UK
- Rebecca Elizabeth Francis-Davies — Welsh Labour
- Idin Ghotbi — Welsh Conservatives
- Hayden Lewis — Welsh Liberal Democrats
- Gareth Paul Schofield — Wales Green Party
- Ioan Marc Warlow — Plaid Cymru
The Mumbles by-election was triggered by the departure of Francesca O’Brien, who was elected to the Senedd for Gŵyr Abertawe at May’s election.
Ms O’Brien was first elected to the council as a Conservative before joining Reform UK in August last year — meaning Reform is defending a seat it has never won at a council ballot box.
Seven candidates are standing in Mumbles. In ballot paper order, they are:
- Emilie Cox — Reform UK
- Dorian Davies — Independent
- Jim Hehir — Welsh Liberal Democrats
- David William Lewis — Welsh Labour
- Tricia Sanderson — Plaid Cymru
- Hannah Williams — Welsh Conservatives
- Rich Williams — Wales Green Party
The statement of persons nominated records that Mr Davies, standing as an Independent, declared membership of Reform UK between May 2025 and May this year — meaning a former Reform member is on the ballot alongside the party’s official candidate.
The notice also records that Ms Sanderson, standing for Plaid Cymru, declared membership of Mebyon Kernow — the Cornish nationalist party — over the same period.
The Fairwood result showed how unpredictable these contests can be — and Thursday’s two polls are the latest test of where Swansea politics stands since the Senedd election saw Reform UK make an historic breakthrough across Wales, and since the campaign saw a public row erupt between the council’s Labour leader and Ms O’Brien.
Polling stations in both wards will be open from 7am to 10pm on Thursday 18 June, with one councillor to be elected in each ward. Postal votes have already been issued.
Anyone wanting to check their polling station can do so via Swansea Council’s website.
Swansea Bay News will bring you the results from both counts.
