Independent Llangyfelach councillor joins Welsh Conservative Party

Cllr Tribe, who was first elected to represent his home community in 2022, said he had made the move based on the party’s values and its ambitions for political change in Wales. He will now sit as part of the Gower and Swansea Conservatives group on the council.

The announcement was made by Tom Giffard MS, Welsh Conservative Member of the Senedd for South Wales West, alongside Swansea councillor Lyndon Jones MBE.

‘A huge asset’

Welcoming the defection, Tom Giffard MS said:

“We are delighted to welcome Mark to the Welsh Conservative Party. He is a fantastic councillor for Llangyfelach and will be a huge asset to our local association and the wider party across Wales. I look forward to working with him for the people of Llangyfelach, towards our Welsh Conservative mission to Fix Wales.”

Cllr Lyndon Jones also praised the move, saying:

“I’m delighted that Mark has joined the Conservative Group on Swansea Council. Hard working local councillors can make such a difference to the communities they represent, to make sure they are the best they can be. It is also important to get the very best for residents across Swansea. I look forward to working with Mark to build a Swansea we can be proud of.”

‘An important time in Welsh politics’

Cllr Tribe said he was pleased to be joining the group.

“I am delighted to have joined the Conservative Group on Swansea Council and the Welsh Conservative Party this week,” he said.

“The Welsh Conservatives are the only party with a plan to fix Wales and I will continue to work hard locally for residents across the Llangyfelach Ward, whilst contributing to this national vision of renewal.

“This is an important time in Welsh politics, and I look forward to working with Tom, Lyndon, and the local association to make a positive difference.”

Comes after Conservative councillor defected to Reform UK in August

Cllr Tribe’s move follows another political shift on Swansea Council earlier this year. In August, Mumbles councillor Francesca O’Brien left the Welsh Conservatives to join Reform UK, becoming the party’s first councillor on the authority.

Cllr O’Brien, who was first elected in 2022, said at the time that she believed Reform UK offered the best opportunity to challenge what she described as the “Labour‑Plaid consensus” in Welsh politics. She had previously stood as the Conservative parliamentary candidate for Gower in the 2019 general election, finishing second to Labour’s Tonia Antoniazzi.

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Youth football team nets £1,000 donation from housebuilder

Persimmon Homes West Wales were joined by local councillor, Mark Tribe, to mark the donation at the club’s playing ground at the end of April.

Llangyfelach U6s is a new side, having only started in 2023, playing their first matches in Spring last year. The donation will go towards helping towards the cost of hiring training facilities, new equipment and kits, social events for the children, and to assist with entering local grassroots tournaments.

The house-builder says it donates £48,000 to good causes and much-valued organisations across Wales each year. Recent local recipients include Pontarddulais RFC, Swansea Schools FC U12s, Ysgol Gyfun Ystalyfera, and Friends of Gowerton Primary School.

Persimmon has two, three, and four-bed homes for sale from £235,000 a few miles down the road at its Cwrt y Brenin site in Gorseinon. The brand-new development will provide 705 homes for local families once complete.

Persimmon Homes West Wales Sales Director Sharon Bouhali said: “We are delighted to support Llangyfelach AFC through our Community Champions scheme. Youth sports clubs play a vital role in fostering teamwork, discipline, and community spirit among young people.

“This donation reflects our commitment to not only building quality homes but also nurturing vibrant communities where families can thrive. We look forward to seeing the positive impact this support will have on the club and its players.”

Llangyfelach AFC coach Kieran Hayes added: “We’re incredibly grateful to Persimmon Homes for their generous donation through the Community Champions scheme.

“As a grassroots club, support like this is invaluable—it helps us invest in equipment, facilities, and opportunities for our players to grow both on and off the pitch.

“It’s fantastic to see a company like Persimmon recognising the importance of local sports and giving back to the communities they build in.”

Cllr Mark Tribe commented: “It’s wonderful to see businesses like Persimmon investing in our community and supporting local clubs like Llangyfelach AFC, especially when grassroots sport is the heartbeat of villages like ours, offering young people a safe, healthy, and positive outlet.

“This kind of partnership between developers and community organisations is exactly what we need to help our area thrive.”

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