Lib Dems win Brecon and Radnorshire
The Liberal Democrats have a new MP - Jane Dodds, who overturned a Conservative majority of 8,038 to win back the Brecon and Radnorshire constituency.
The by-election had been called following the successful recall petition of incumbent Chris Davies. Mr Davies had pleaded guilty to claiming false expenses, but was nonetheless reselected by the Conservatives as their candidate in the by-election.
Opinion polling suggested two things - that the Liberal Democrats would win but that it was likely to be close. Indeed it was. The narratives surrounding the by-election naturally focused on Brexit, but it would also be a mistake to lose sight of the various local factors involved. Mr Davies' conviction certainly loomed large in the background, and this was a constituency the Liberal Democrats held between 1997 and 2015. Rural issues were important in a constituency in which many voters feel disconnected from both Westminster and Cardiff. Brexit might have been the main talking point, but…
The by-election had been called following the successful recall petition of incumbent Chris Davies. Mr Davies had pleaded guilty to claiming false expenses, but was nonetheless reselected by the Conservatives as their candidate in the by-election.
Opinion polling suggested two things - that the Liberal Democrats would win but that it was likely to be close. Indeed it was. The narratives surrounding the by-election naturally focused on Brexit, but it would also be a mistake to lose sight of the various local factors involved. Mr Davies' conviction certainly loomed large in the background, and this was a constituency the Liberal Democrats held between 1997 and 2015. Rural issues were important in a constituency in which many voters feel disconnected from both Westminster and Cardiff. Brexit might have been the main talking point, but…
