Pembrokeshire’s new county councillor for Haverfordwest’s Prendergast, who gained the seat after a six-way battle, has promised to “insist on council tax value for money” and do his “utmost to revive the fortunes of Haverfordwest town centre”.

Six candidates fought for the seat made vacant following the resignation of local county councillor Andrew Edwards during the Christmas period, with the count taking place on February 11.

Independent candidate Alun Wills won the seat with 199 votes.

Other candidates were: Kaleb Jenkins, Welsh Liberal Democrats, 160; Mike Mathias, Welsh Conservative Party Candidate, 136; Scott Thorley, Reform UK, 71; Alison Tudor, Welsh Labour, 57; and James Henry Purchase, Wales Green Party, with eight votes.

There was a 37.1% turnout of the total electorate of 1,699 voters.

Speaking before he was elected, the-now Cllr Wills said: “The main parties continue spouting hollow promises, but disillusioned voters have stopped listening to them.

“Wales has too many hospitals and too many beds, according to Welsh Labour’s Finance Minister Mark Drakeford.

“So, protecting Withybush Hospital, where I work, is a top personal priority.

“The Conservatives are flatlining under Kemi Badenoch. And, gloomy household economic prospects are threatened by stagflation under Starmer after the Bank of England halved its growth forecast.

“Cost-of-living pressures are on the rise. We’re being advised to save for the future when we can’t afford today.”

“No empty rhetoric from me. As a lifelong resident and diehard Harfat, I will insist on council tax value for money and do my utmost to revive the fortunes of Haverfordwest town centre.”

Former county councillor for Haverfordwest’s Prendergast Ward Cllr Edwards had previously been a Conservative group member, leaving in 2023 when serious allegations of racist ‘slave’ comments emerged.

He withdrew from the political group and referred himself to the Ombudsman for an independent evaluation, before tendering his resignation.