Former policeman and Stradey campaigner wins Elli Ward By-Election

A former policeman and campaigner against the use of the Stradey Park Hotel to house asylum seekers has won the Elli Ward by-election.

Steven Williams stood as an independent against five other candidates including Plaid Cymru, the Welsh Liberal Democrats, Labour and UKIP.

The ward was fought largely on the decline of the town centre and the history of the Stradey Park Hotel.

The results were as follows:

Some observers are suggesting that this result could signify losses for Labour in the General Election and the Senedd Elections where Labour have had a stronghold for decades.

The new county and town councillor for the Elli Ward in Llanelli  thanked voters for a massive show of confidence.

Independent Steve Williams was standing for election for the first time.

He was a convincing winner in both by-elections for the seats vacated by retiring Independent Councillor John Jenkins.

Steve said today: “I’m still in shock. I never expected to win. But it became plain during campaigning on the streets of the Elli Ward that I was picking up support.

“Voters were keen to have someone who lives in the heart of the constituency and someone who hopes to apply common-sense to the challenges ahead.

“There’s lots of talk about community division and hate in Llanelli today. My earnest desire is to bring the local community together. If we are united, then we are better placed to face the challenges ahead.

“I will be doing my best to foster that sense of community spirit that exists in the wonderful town of Llanelli. I will endeavour to represent everyone in the constituency, whatever their political views.

“I may not have all the answers, but I will be working hard to engage with the local community and represent the interests of the Elli Ward with passion and vigour on Llanelli Town Council and Carmarthenshire County Council.
“I am a very proud guy today. Very proud to be representing a great community and very proud to be talking to everyone on the street about how we can improve things.”
Steve, 55, added: “I am grateful for all the support I had from family, friends, neighbours and the wider community. In particular, I must single out the small band of dedicated people who canvassed, delivered pamphlets and translated election literature for me.
“It was a fair contest and I thank the other candidates for the way in which they conducted themselves. I’d like to thank the community, who have been bombarded with huge amounts of election literature over the course of the campaign.
“We have, truly, seen local democracy in action at its very best.
“The staff involved at the polling station at The Lantern in Hall Street deserve thanks also for their hard work and diligence.
“I know I have hard work ahead. I need to show those who voted for and against me that I can help drive Llanelli and the Elli ward forward.
“The next few days will involve me completing the necessary documentation to undertake my role.

“I hope to be in a position soon to be working with the community to working to showcase Llanelli and get it to where it rightly deserves to be. Thank you to the electors for showing trust in me.”

While Steve waits for official email addresses to be installed, you can contact him through his Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555339665037