Six candidates to contest Risca East ward by-election

Caerphilly County Borough Council offices, in Tredomen, March 2025. Credit: LDRS

Six candidates will contest the upcoming Risca East ward by-election for Caerphilly County Borough Council on Thursday November 19.

The election is being held following the death of Cllr Nigel George, who represented the ward for Labour for 15 years.

Ahead of polling day, each party was invited to set out why their chosen candidate was in the running.

Listed here in alphabetical order, here’s what the candidates had to say:

Green Party candidate Tracy Barrington grew up in Ty Sign and has lived in Risca for 25 years, with decades of experience working with people facing homelessness and domestic abuse.

Her party said she is standing because “she believes people want an alternative to the main political parties, with compassion, kindness and community cohesion at the heart of local politics”.

If elected, her priority issues include tackling fly-tipping and antisocial behaviour, improving recycling and public transport, strengthening communication between residents and the council, challenging the stigma surrounding homelessness, and promoting domestic abuse awareness.

Tracy Barrington. Credit: via Green Party

Reform UK candidate Darren Crandon is from Risca, where he lives with his family, and said his previous service in the British Army has given him “a strong belief in discipline, accountability and serving others”.

“I am not a career politician – I am a local resident who, like many others, is frustrated by the lack of attention our community receives,” he said. “I want to bring common sense, accountability and a stronger voice for local people.

“Risca deserves better, and I am standing to help deliver that change.”

Darren Crandon. Credit: via Reform UK

Welsh Conservative candidate Ceithin Llewellyn Dennes is a fluent Welsh speaker whose experience in election campaigns has underlined the importance of heritage, community and the area’s rich history.

“An ardent believer that local government is politics in its purest form, Ceithin is standing to bring a rejuvenated perspective to the role,” his party said

“He believes effective representation begins with approachability. For Ceithin, this means engaging with residents, understanding their concerns and following through on the issues that matter most to the residents of Risca East.”

Ceithin Llewellyn Dennes. Credit: via Welsh Conservatives

Plaid Cymru candidate Brandon Ham, from Ty Sign, is a former teacher who now works in social housing and the third sector.

“Brandon believes Risca East deserves a strong, visible voice and wants to ensure the community is never overlooked again,” his party said.

“His priorities include championing local residents, strengthening community pride, supporting opportunities for people of all ages, improving neighbourhoods and local services, and ensuring the community has a strong representative. A vote for Brandon changes our community for the better.”

Independent candidate Peter Heathcote has a longstanding involvement in charitable, voluntary and community work and said that if elected, he will vote for what he believes is right for the community, rather than along any party lines.

His independent stance will also allow him to “work freely across political boundaries” together with those he believes “can help deliver the best outcomes for Caerphilly”, and be an “accessible and independent voice for local people, listening to residents and speaking up on the issues that matter to the community”.

Peter Heathcote. Credit: via Peter Heathcote

Welsh Labour candidate Marcus Leonard said he is standing in the by-election “because I care deeply about our community and the future we leave for the next generation”.

“I’m a local man from a proud mining family and an ex-postie, who believes in hard work, fairness and standing up for what is right,” he said.

If elected, his priorities include securing improvements for Holly Road, fighting potential M4 junction closures and ensuring the ward receives “its fair share” of funding for children who have additional learning needs.