Reform UK has announced its candidates for two forthcoming Powys County Council by-elections, both of which will take place on Thursday, July 2.

Dawn McIntosh has been selected as the party’s candidate for the Yscir with Honddu Isaf & Llanddew ward, while Gareth Hughes will contest the Llanyre with Nantmel ward.

The Yscir with Honddu Isaf & Llanddew by-election follows the resignation of former county councillor Iain McIntosh after his election as the Reform UK Member of the Senedd for Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd. The Llanyre with Nantmel by-election follows the resignation of former county councillor Claire Johnson-Wood after her election as a Reform UK Member of the Senedd for Gwynedd Maldwyn.

Under Welsh law, both Mr McIntosh and Ms Johnson-Wood were required to resign their seats on Powys County Council immediately upon taking up their positions as MSs.

Dawn McIntosh was born and raised in the ward, growing up at Battle Fach Farm and attending Cradoc Primary School. She has spent her entire life in the local area and, together with her husband Iain, successfully ran their family business Young’s of Brecon for more than 32 years, building a respected family business that served customers across Mid Wales and beyond.

Speaking following her selection, Ms McIntosh said: “I am incredibly honoured and proud to have been selected as Reform UK’s candidate for Yscir with Honddu Isaf & Llanddew. This ward is my home. I grew up at Battle Fach Farm, attended Cradoc School and have spent my life living and working in and around this community. Over the past nine years, I have worked alongside Iain as he represented the ward, attending community events, supporting local campaigns and helping residents. During that time, I have seen first hand both the challenges facing our communities and the frustration people feel when local concerns are ignored. Residents were promised that Cradoc School would remain open, yet that promise was broken by the current Liberal Democrat and Labour administration. At the same time, council tax has increased by 26.3 per cent in just four years, while many rural services have been reduced or withdrawn. Local people are paying more and getting less. If elected, I will work hard for every resident, stand up for our communities and provide the strong local representation that people deserve.”

In Llanyre with Nantmel, Reform UK has selected local businessman, farmer and childcare provider Gareth Hughes. Born and raised in the area, Gareth grew up on the family farm before studying carpentry and joinery at Coleg Powys. He now runs several businesses, including a construction company, a specialist windows and doors business, and Country Kids Day Nursery in Builth Wells alongside his wife Danniella. He also farms a flock of North Country Cheviot sheep and regularly exhibits livestock at local agricultural shows and the Royal Welsh Show.

Mr Hughes said: “I am delighted to have been selected as Reform UK’s candidate for Llanyre with Nantmel. This area is my home, and I have spent my life living, working and raising my family here. As a businessman, farmer and employer, I understand the pressures facing local families, rural communities and small businesses. People are paying more and more in taxes and council tax, yet too often they feel they are getting less and less in return. Residents regularly raise concerns about the condition of our roads, the decline in local services and the lack of investment in our communities. If elected, I will be an approachable and hardworking councillor who listens, challenges poor decisions and stands up for local people. I believe local government needs more common sense, greater accountability and representatives who understand the communities they serve.”

Reform UK says both candidates will focus their campaigns on protecting rural services, improving roads and infrastructure, supporting local businesses, opposing wasteful spending and ensuring stronger accountability at County Hall.

Iain McIntosh MS, James Evans MS and David Mills MS all welcomed the selections, saying: “We are delighted that Dawn and Gareth have been selected to represent Reform UK in these by-elections. Both have deep roots in their communities, successful business backgrounds and a proven commitment to local people. Residents across Powys are becoming increasingly frustrated by rising council tax bills, declining services and a County Council administration that too often appears out of touch with the concerns of rural communities. Dawn and Gareth will provide the strong local voices, practical experience and determination needed to challenge the status quo and stand up for the people they seek to represent.”

Polling day for both by-elections is Thursday, July 2.