THE MP for Vale of Clwyd, James Davies, has thanked those who took part in last Thursday (May 5)’s local elections and congratulated all those elected.

Dr Davies said it was a “disappointing” result for the Conservatives and “frustrating that the poor performance of the Labour Welsh Government, particularly with regard to the NHS in North Wales, seemed not to influence protest votes or abstentions”.

Conservative cabinet member Brian Jones lost his seat in Rhyl’s Ty Newydd ward, where Brian Blakely and Cheryl Lynne Williams (both Welsh Labour) were voted in.

Elsewhere, Julian Thompson-Hill lost his seat in Prestatyn East, as did Prestatyn North’s Plaid Cymru councillor, Paul Penlington.

Turnout in Denbighshire was recorded at 38.6 per cent of the eligible population, a slight increase on the 35 per cent seen in the county last time out in 2017.

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Dr Davies said: “Last Thursday, all seats within Denbighshire County Council and our local community councils were up for election, following a delay to the poll by one year due to the pandemic.

“I would like to thank everyone who took part in the elections and congratulate all those elected.

“In particular, many congratulations to the Conservative county councillors elected within the Vale of Clwyd: Ann Davies (held Rhuddlan), James Elson (won Trefnant from Plaid Cymru), Justine Evans (held Rhyl East), Hugh Irving (held Prestatyn Central) and Peter Scott (held St Asaph West).

Dr Davies also congratulated all Conservative community councillors elected in the constituency. They are as follows:

• Abigail Mainon (Bodelwyddan).

• Lara Pritchard (Denbigh Central).

• Maxime Boucknooghe (Denbigh Lower).

• Ben Stanley (Denbigh Upper).

• Allan Pennington (Dyserth).

• Hugh Irving, Tina Jones and Ben Williams (Prestatyn Central).

• Anton Sampson and Julian Thompson-Hill (Prestatyn East).

• Carol Evans (Prestatyn Meliden).

• Sharon Frobisher (Prestatyn North West).

• Ivor Beech, Ann Davies and Rob Williams (Rhuddlan).

• Justine Evans (Rhyl Plastirion).

• Linda Nelson and Peter Scott (St Asaph East).

• James Elson (Trefnant).

• Ceri Mearns (Tremeirchion).

• Christine Marston (Waen).

He added: “Despite the election of some excellent councillors, there were a number of dedicated colleagues who lost their seats and they deserve credit for all their hard work.

“I know they will remain active in the community.

“This was a disappointing result, which echoed the mid-term election of 2012.

“ Unfortunately, it has long been the case that local elections are used to express a view on national political issues of the day.

“Bearing that in mind, it is frustrating that the poor performance of the Labour Welsh Government, particularly with regard to the NHS in North Wales, seemed not to influence protest votes or abstentions last Thursday.”