In this first of four county-by-county previews over the coming week, here’s a summary of where things stand in the six northern local authorities.
- Current Administration: Plaid Cymru-Independent coalition.
- Current Leader: Cllr. Llinos Medi Huws (Plaid).
- Number of Seats (2022): 35 (+5).
- Current Seat Distribution: Plaid Cymru (14), Independents & Non-Affiliated (14), Labour (2).
Previous Results:
- 1995 – No Overall Control
- 1999 – No Overall Control
- 2004 – No Overall Control
- 2008 – No Overall Control
- 2013* – No Overall Control
- 2017 – No Overall Control
* The council elections took place a year later than planned following Welsh Government intervention and reforms to the authority.
What was once a by-word for poor local governance – being subject to the ignominy of being taken over by the Welsh Government – Anglesey has since returned to a sense of normality and some might argue is one of the better run councils in Wales at the moment.
Politics on the island has always been a “bit different”. As in many other places, the Conservatives are the only party putting up a full slate of candidates despite not having a single councillor. Labour has never managed to do much outside of Holyhead and that’s where you would expect them to do well again – although the two new Holyhead wards have lost a councillor between them.
Plaid would be in the pole position to remain the largest group or even secure a majority, but (amazingly) aren’t running a full slate. Given their large number of third places in previous elections, the boundary changes are likely to suit them in some of the new wards. Winning 18 seats when they already have 14 shouldn’t be that difficult on paper, but the island has a long-standing tradition of sticking two fingers up to perceived wisdom.
There are other things to note too – 4 Green candidates (expecting to pick up anti-nuclear votes, perhaps?), 2 Propel candidates (amongst the small number standing outside Cardiff) and I think Wales’ only Heritage Party candidate.
Barring something big on the Conservative’s part, I’d expect an outcome similar to the previous election.
