Devauden result:

(Changes with May 2022)

Monmouthshire County Council has become the first in Wales to elect more women than men following a surprise by-election win by the Conservatives last night.

Labour needed just a per cent swing to win the seat and take effective control of Monmouthshire County Council, but in the end failed to capitalise on massive national poll leads and improved their May result by just 12 votes despite a rise in turnout.

The election of Cllr Buckler means that Monmouthshire County Council now has 24 women and 22 men, including a female majority in both Labour and Conservative groups.

Monmouthshire became the first council in Wales to have a 50:50 gender balance, in May, after the previous Council Leader Richard John secured cross party backing for a 50 per cent target of female candidates.

Newly elected councillor Rachel Buckler said: “I’m privileged that the residents of Devauden, Llansoy, Itton, Kilgwrrwg, Llangwm and Newchurch have entrusted me with the honour of selecting me as their new Conservative County Councillor.

“It was under the sad circumstances of the death of the Rev. Bob Greenland, who was a loyal County Councillor here for many years, and he was remembered fondly the many local people I talked to during the campaign.

“It was also played out under extremely difficult national circumstances. It is a mark of the strength of feelings from the residents of the Devauden ward that we held this crucial seat.

“Monmouthshire Council is not now held by a majority Labour group, to the relief of a great many people. We can hold them to account. We certainly need to, as their ineptitude has come to light even in their first few months.

“The forecast 8.8 million deficit (and rising) is testament to the fact they should not have complete control.

“This is also an historic moment as we become the first council in Wales to have elected more women than men to the County Council. The Conservatives have not done this by forced women shortlists, instead it has been done by fair and equal selection.”

Cllr Richard John, Leader of the Monmouthshire Conservatives said: “I’m delighted that voters in Devauden have put their trust in Cllr Rachel Buckler, who will be a first class councillor for the area, building on the work of our much-missed colleague Bob Greenland.

“Winning a by-election despite the national turmoil for the Conservatives was testament to the personal support Rachel won through hard graft and a warm engaging manner on the doorsteps.

“I am especially proud that with Rachel’s election, another glass ceiling has been smashed and Monmouthshire has gone from being Wales’ first gender-balanced council to becoming Wales’ first council with more women than men.

“This proves that you can achieve gender equality with hard work and leadership, not through patronising all-women shortlists and gender quotas, but through better engagement, headhunting and supporting talented female candidates.

“I hope this sets an example to other councils and political parties that you can broaden your representation without positive discrimination and ensure elected politicians better reflect the public.

“Labour were very confident about winning this seat and with a lead of up to 39 per cent in national opinion polls, they will surely be disappointed to win just 12 more votes than they had in May.

“This win shows that what matters in politics isn’t always what’s going on in Westminster, it’s about hard work in your community, staying in close contact with your residents and getting things done.”