Cllr Francesca O’Brien says ‘business as usual’ after joining Reform UK

Swansea’s first Reform UK councillor, Francesca O’Brien, has told residents it will be “business as usual” despite her recent party switch.

In a Facebook video posted days after confirming her defection from the Welsh Conservatives, Cllr O’Brien highlighted recent community events and pledged to continue working closely with her two Mumbles ward colleagues.

She said she wanted to reassure residents that “community is always going to be before politics for me” and that her “unwavering support and dedication to the role” would not change.

Community projects in focus

In the video update, Cllr O’Brien described attending the official opening of the upgraded Southend Play Park, part of the Mumbles sea defence works, alongside the council leader. She also visited Langland Bay to launch a new toy library funded by Team Mumbles, aimed at giving families free access to beach toys over the summer and beyond.

“We’ve got some really exciting projects in the pipeline that we’re continuing to work on… we are still here and we’re still going to be working as part of a team,” she said.

Why she switched parties

As reported by Swansea Bay News earlier this week, Cllr O’Brien said she joined Reform UK because she believed it was the only party capable of “breaking up the Labour‑Plaid consensus in Cardiff Bay” and creating a government that “understands the concerns of ordinary people”.

Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, she described the move as “a gamble” but said she had “never seen a party that engages like this across generations” and wanted to be part of shaping its policies.

She insisted she had not broken trust with voters who elected her as a Welsh Conservative in 2022, saying: “Irrespective of party politics my heart is in the community and delivering for them.”

Political reaction

Her defection means Reform UK now has 16 councillors in Wales, including two in Carmarthenshire. Mumbles’ other two councillors, Will Thomas and Angela O’Connor, remain with the Welsh Conservatives.

Opponents have criticised Reform UK’s policy platform, with Welsh Labour’s Julie James MS describing the prospect of a Reform government in Wales as a “disaster”. Cllr O’Brien said she understood some residents would be disappointed but stressed her focus remained on local priorities.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

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First Reform UK councillor in Swansea pledges to continue representing Mumbles residents.

Reform UK wins Llangennech by‑election securing second seat on Carmarthenshire County Council
Party builds local government presence in South West Wales.

New polling shows Reform UK still leading in South West Wales but Labour gains
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#FrancescaOBrien #Mumbles #ReformUK #SouthendGardens #SwanseaCouncil #WelshConservatives

New Mumbles seafront play area opens as part of coastal revamp

The Seaview play area stretches from Southend Gardens towards The George and has sweeping views across Swansea Bay. Made from tough, salt‑resistant timber, it features a slide, bouldering walls, a balance trail and hammock — designed to weather decades of seaside use.

Sunday’s opening drew a crowd of locals after an open invite went out on social media. Popular traders including Gower Seafood Hut and Bibby’s Beans have relocated their pitches alongside the new facility, with The Village Creperie set to join them.

Children playing on the new climbing wall at Mumbles’ seafront play area
(Image: Swansea Council)New trees being planted by local children, Council leader Rob Stewart and cabinet member Andrew Stevens
(Image: Swansea Council)

The play area links with the existing Southend Gardens playground, creating an extended space for families to enjoy. It’s part of wider works that include 1,400 festoon lights along the prom, 40 newly‑planted trees, and strengthened coastal defences expected to protect homes and businesses for “many decades to come.”

A boost for families and businesses

Council leader Rob Stewart said the focus was on making the revamped seafront “family‑friendly” while drawing visitors into Mumbles. Cabinet member Andrew Stevens thanked residents for their patience during construction, which he said had been met with “overwhelmingly positive” feedback.

The sea defence scheme was formally opened by Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca‑Davies in July. Minor landscaping around Hennebont Gardens will follow after the summer tourism season.

Across the city, the council is investing £8 million to upgrade dozens of community play areas, part of an ongoing push to improve free play facilities.

#CllrAndrewStevens #CllrRobStewart #Mumbles #MumblesPromenade #playArea #SeaDefences #SouthendGardens #SwanseaCouncil #treePlanting