Jane Dodds Announced as Lead Senedd Candidate for Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have announced their lead candidates for the new Senedd seat of Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd (which will cover both Radnorshire, Brecknockshire and Cwmtawe, as well as Neath and Swansea East) at next years’ Welsh Parliament elections.

Sitting Senedd Member Jane Dodds has been selected as the party’s lead candidate in Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd, while former Assembly Member and Talgarth County Councillor William Powell will occupy second place on the list.

The Welsh Liberal Democrats are aiming to win at least two of the six seats in the new constituency which are being contested under a proportional representation system.

Jane Dodds has served as a Senedd Member for Mid & West Wales since 2021 and during that time has secured additional funding for more dentists in the constituency, successfully campaigned to reverse cuts on the Heart of Wales Line and campaigned against cuts to local public services as well as for more investment and support for the rural community. Prior to entering politics, Jane was a child protection social care worker for over 27 years.

Cllr William Powell has represented Talgarth on Powys County Council since 2004 and was a Member of the then Welsh Assembly for Mid & West Wales between 2011-2016. He is a qualified modern languages teacher by profession and a partner in the family farm.

Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd is considered the Welsh Liberal Democrats' top target seat in next year's election, with the party already having solidified control of the seat in recent years.

Last summer, the Welsh Liberal Democrats regained the seat of Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe at the parliamentary level following the election of David Chadwick as MP; they also have the highest number of councillors across Powys and just this week have won a council by-election in the Swansea Valley, where Labour were pushed into fourth place and the Conservatives got just 1% of the vote.

The party senses opportunity in the collapse of their historic rival, the Conservatives across Wales and Powys, with no Conservative councillors left at all in the seat.

Commenting on her re-selection, Jane Dodds MS said:

“I’m delighted to be leading the list for the Welsh Liberal Democrats in the South of Powys as part of the new Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd seat.

“The Welsh Liberal Democrats have been going from strength to strength across the constituency over the past few years, with David Chadwick winning the seat back for us at a parliamentary level last summer and our party having elected record numbers of councillors, including another just this week in a by-election.

“Over the last five years I’ve fought hard to oppose Labour’s cuts to public services across Mid Wales, to protect our farmers and to clean up our rivers - as well as to secure major investments in Mid Wales. I look forward to getting out there, speaking to the voters and asking them to put their trust in me once again.”

Adding his comments about his selection as the Liberal Democrats' second candidate on the list, Cllr William Powell said:

“It's an honour to have been selected by local members to put my hat into the ring to represent the area I love in Cardiff Bay once again.

“If elected, I will be a loud voice for local residents and ensure Mid Wales does not get ignored by those in power,r as sadly is too often the case by this current Labour Government.

“We know we can win two seats in this new constituency and I will be out there working in partnership with our local councillors and MP David Chadwick to advocate on behalf of the people right the way across Brecon & Radnorshire and beyond.”

ENDS