Sam Bennett Announced as Lead Senedd Candidate for Gwyr Abertawe

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have announced that Waterfront councillor Sam Bennett will be their lead Senedd candidate in the Gwyr Abertawe constituency.

The Gwyr Abertawe constituency covers the Westminster constituencies of Gower and Swansea West, and is one of the party’s top targets in the 2026 election.

Lead candidate Cllr Sam Bennett has represented the Waterfront ward on Swansea Council since 2022, where he was elected with over 60% of the vote. With a background in marketing at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David and Swansea University, Sam is passionate about education and widening participation. He has also been active in the campaign for justice over the cladding scandal affecting flats and high-rise blocks.

Commenting on his selection, Cllr Sam Bennet said:

“I am delighted to be leading the list for the Welsh Liberal Democrats for Gwyr Abertawe.

“The Liberal Democrats are already the largest opposition party in Swansea and as a local Councillor I've been holding Labour to account.

“Labour have let Swansea and Gower down, whether it's the Welsh Government allowing sewage to be dumped in our rivers and seas, letting NHS waiting lists reach their highest level ever, or the UK Labour Government taxing jobs and letting pensioners go cold, people are crying out for change.

“The Welsh Liberal Democrats will be offering voters a positive vision to support small businesses, provide families with better childcare resources and to tackle the crisis in social care to help fix the NHS."

Speaking at the announcement event, Jane Dodds said:

“In this election, the Welsh Lib Dems will be the antidote to both years of failure under Labour and the Conservatives, and to the Trumpian delusions of populists and nationalists. Our candidates will be relentlessly focused on improving people’s lives and everyday issues such as fixing the Welsh NHS and growing the Welsh economy.”

ENDS