We have a rare Tuesday by-election this week and it is taking place in the Welsh Council of Torfaen. The vacancy is in the Snatchwood division following the death of Cllr. Tom Gould, who had been sitting as an Independent following the disbandment of the People's Voice movement in Torfaen. Gould won his seat in 2008 in a straight fight with Labour but this by-election will be contested by no less than six candidates.
Labour should be favourites to take this having held the division before 2008 and their defeated candidate from that election Barry Taylor is standing again. He is up against a couple of candidates who stood in the last Torfaen by-election, which took place shortly before the General Election. Both Mike and Nigel Harris (no relation to my knowledge [to each other or to me!]) stood in Pontypool and Mike Harris came close to denying Labour the gain. Steve Joy is linked to Ian Williams, who was a key player in the People's Voice and is still trying to keep the dream alive. Williams' himself stood in Pontypool polling a disappointing 80 votes but as this division was won by the People's Voice in 2008 Joy might have more luck in this by-election.
Since March there have been a few changes to the composition of Torfaen Council as the Liberal Democrats and Plaid Cymru have both had Councillors leave their respective groups to sit as Independents. Labour are still running the Council as a minority administration though with full Council elections due next May.
Torfaen County Borough Council | |||||||
LAB | IG | Ind | Con | PC | LD | Vac | |
20 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 1 | |
Snatchwood | |||||||
By-Election Candidate | 2008 | ||||||
N/C (PV) | 56.9% | ||||||
Barry Taylor (Lab) | 43.1% | ||||||
Mike Harris (Ind) | - | ||||||
Nigel Harris (Ind) | - | ||||||
Steve Joy (Ind) | - | ||||||
Richard Overton (Con) | - | ||||||
Caroline Powell (PC) | - | ||||||
Tom Harris
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