Defection sees city gain first Reform councillor

SWANSEA has its first Reform UK councillor after Cllr Francesca O’Brien, who represents Mumbles, joined the party.

- RICHARD YOULE Senior local democracy reporter

The former Welsh Conservative was first elected to the council in 2022 and described Reform UK as the only chance to break the “Labour/Plaid consensus in Cardiff Bay and create a government in Wales that understands the concerns of ordinary people”.

Cllr O’Brien had stood as a prospective Conservative MP for Gower in the 2019 general election, finishing second behind Labour's Tonia Antoniazzi.

“I'm proud to be announcing that I am joining Reform UK,” said Cllr O'Brien.