North Wales local elections 2017: Wrexham constituency profile
Wrexham’s last council elections in 2012 saw something of a Labour comeback following their loss of control in 2007 to a Liberal Democrat-led coalition.
But all was not to remain well for the resurgent party, as council plans to close the Plas Madoc leisure centre led to a split in the group, opening the way for an alliance of independents and Conservatives to run the authority.
As with many council elections, it will have to be seen if local issues are overshadowed by national ones as the General Election heats up.
The unpopularity in the polls for Labour is sure to be a concern for party activists in the county, who will be fighting hard to keep this election local.
But the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and Plaid Cymru will be looking to take advantage of Labour’s difficulties at both the local and national level.
Current make-up of the council:
Conservative – 5
Independent – 28
Labour – 12
Liberal Democrat – 5
Plaid Cymru – 2
European referendum: Wrexham voted to leave the European Union in last summer’s referendum. Brexit won the day by 41,544 votes to 28,822 votes.
Welsh language: In the last census, 16,659 people were recorded as being able to speak Welsh, with 112,597 saying they could not speak the language.
Population: In the 2011 census, the population of the county was 129,425.
There are 154 candidates running for 52 seats in this week’s election. The number of candidates standing for each party is:
Conservative – 23
Green – 2
Independent – 59
Labour – 39
Liberal Democrat – 13
Plaid Cymru – 15
UKIP- 3
There are two constituencies covering this council area for the UK parliament and the Welsh Assembly, Clwyd South and Wrexham.
General Election 2015: Clwyd South
Labour – Susan Elan Jones: 13,051
Conservative – David Nicholls: 10,649
UKIP – Mandy Jones: 5,480
Plaid Cymru – Mabon ap Gwynfor: 3,620
Liberal Democrat – Bruce Roberts: 1,349
Green – Duncan Rees: 915
General Election 2015: Wrexham
Labour – Ian Lucas: 12,181
Conservative – Andrew Mark Atkinson: 10,350
UKIP – Niall Plevin-Kelly: 5,072
Plaid Cymru – Carrie Harper: 2,501
Liberal Democrat – Rob Walsh: 1,735
Green – David Munnerley: 669
Independent – Brian Edwards: 211
Welsh Assembly Election 2016 result: Clwyd South
Labour – Ken Skates: 7,862
Conservative – Simon Baynes: 4,846
Plaid Cymru – Mabon ap Gwynfor: 3,861
UKIP – Mandy Jones: 2,827
Liberal Democrats – Aled Roberts: 2,289
Green – Duncan Rees: 474
Welsh Assembly Election 2016 result: Wrexham
Labour – Lesley Griffiths: 7,552
Conservative – Andrew Atkinson: 6,227
Plaid Cymru – Carrie Harper: 2,631
UKIP – Jeanette Stefani: 2,393
Liberal Democrats – Beryl Blackmore: 1,140
Green – Alan Butterwoth: 411
