Support quality, independent, local journalism…that matters

From just £1 a month you can help fund our work – and use our website without adverts. Become a member today

Six candidates will compete in the Rogerstone North by-election for Newport City Council on Thursday May 7.

Voters in the local authority ward will be able to vote for their new council representative on the same day as the Wales-wide Senedd elections.

The by-election follows the decision of Chris Reeks to step down from the city council, for personal reasons.

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:

Plaid Cymru candidate Iestyn Davies lives in Rogerstone, a place he raised his family and calls home. 

His varied career includes supporting local businesses, working for a university, and currently working with churches and communities for social good.

If elected, his priorities for Rogerstone North include pressing for enhanced integration of health and social care, to allow elderly residents the option of being cared for at home.

He will also call on the council to provide stronger, more joined-up post-16 partnerships so that every child can reach their full potential, no matter their background.

Mr Davies will also push for the local authority to designate the former Avana Bakery site as a Local Enterprise Zone – to allow for business development, leisure facilities and cultural activities.

Welsh Labour candidate Jonathan Gibbons is a telecoms engineer who lives in Newport with his wife and two children.

He has served on Rogerstone Community Council since 2022, helping deliver a new park at the Welfare Grounds. A lifelong member of Rogerstone Scouts, he now volunteers with the group.

“Jon is a strong advocate for workers’ rights and serves as a workplace representative for the Communication Workers Union, having previously sat on its National Executive Committee,” said Labour.

“With new momentum in Rogerstone, including the Fourteen Locks Canal Centre, Jon will champion the area’s success and fight for investment, especially to fix local roads and potholes.”

Wales Green Party candidate Stewart Jones is a retired firefighter and ambulance driver.

He has served on Rogerstone Community Council for eight years, is a governor at two local schools, and a retired scout leader.

Mr Jones has lived in the neighbouring ward of Rogerstone East for more than 40 years, his party said.

The Welsh Liberal Democrats’ candidate, John Miller, formerly worked in sales in the steel industry and has stood for the party in previous general elections.

The keen Newport County supporter would seek to improve connections with constituents if he is elected to the council.

“I think the people of Rogerstone, as well as other parts of Newport, haven’t been very well represented for the past 20 years,” he said.

“What I want is better representation for residents.”

Mr Miller added he was “not happy” with crime levels and said: “I want to see further neighbourhood watch schemes in the area.”

The Welsh Conservatives’ candidate Nicholas Portman – known commonly as Nick Baneswell – “is not a career politician and comes into this from real conversations with people in the area”, his party said.

Through his work as a pub landlord he “hears directly what residents are fed up with and where they feel let down”, and he is “focused on the issues that matter” such as roads, fly-tipping, council tax rates and local services.

“He believes the council should be doing better and that residents deserve to see real results, not excuses,” the party said, adding their candidate “also wants to protect local green spaces and make sure Rogerstone North is not overlooked as the area grows”.

“He is a supporter of local businesses and believes they need backing if Newport is going to improve,” the party added. “He is standing to represent the area with a straightforward approach. Speak up for residents, challenge decisions when needed, and make sure things actually get done.”

Reform UK candidate Kevin Preston said: “I have lived in the area for 32 years. My children were schooled here and I ran my business here.

“Over that time I have watched the local area and services decline due to the actions or inactions of the council and the Labour-run Senedd.

“When I retired I decided I should stop just shouting at the TV and actually do something so joined Reform, becoming chair of the Newport and Islwyn branch.

“If I am elected I promise I will advocate for the people of Rogerstone North as well as doing my best to push for change in Newport Council – which for too long has let its residents down.”