Welsh Labour has successfully defended its seat in the Splott ward of Cardiff Council following a closely contested by-election held on Thursday, July 9. Labour candidate James Caruana secured 765 votes, representing 40% of the total, to retain the seat for the party. The by-election was triggered after the previous councillor, Huw Thomas, stepped down following his election to the Senedd in May, where he now represents the constituency of Caerdydd Penarth. Thomas had served as the leader of Cardiff Council since 2017.
Strong Green Party Challenge
The Green Party mounted a significant challenge, with candidate Simran Patel winning 678 votes, or 36% of the vote share. This result marks a notable increase in support for the Greens in Splott, narrowing the gap with Labour to just 87 votes. Reform UK candidate David John Cook finished third with 286 votes (15%), followed by Liberal Democrat Rhys William Husband with 114 votes (6%) and Welsh Conservative Charles Agbakahi with 54 votes (3%). A total of 1,897 valid votes were cast, with 10 ballot papers rejected out of 1,907 issued.
Caruana's Local Roots and Priorities
Speaking before the election, Caruana emphasised his deep connection to the area. 'I know this community because I grew up in it. For me, this isn’t a political stepping stone. I am standing to ensure the voices of our community shape our future,' he said. His campaign focused on local issues, including securing a new railway station for Tremorfa, regenerating communities, improving neighbourhood safety through collaboration with the police, and maintaining clean streets and green spaces.
Labour Retains All Splott Seats
With Caruana's victory, Labour continues to hold all three council seats in the Splott ward. He will join fellow Labour councillors Anny Anderson, who was elected in December 2024, and Ed Stubbs, who has served since 2017. The result underscores Labour's enduring strength in the area but also highlights the growing electoral threat from the Green Party in Cardiff.
