Lib Dems Secure Third By-Election Win in Talybont as Conservatives Plunge Further

The Liberal Democrats have secured a third by-election win in less than a month tonight as the party secures its hold on Powys County Council ahead of next year’s General Election.

Raiff Devlin, a 27-year-old retained firefighter, building surveyor and prominent young farmer stormed to victory over the Conservatives in Talybont-on-Usk becoming one of the youngest councillors in Powys.

The win by the Liberal Democrats cements their control over Powys Council ahead of an anticipated General Election next year in a development they state makes them the favourites to win the Brecon, Radnorshire and Cwm Tawe seat back from the Conservatives.

The final results of the by-election in Talybont were 52% for the Liberal Democrats, 34% for the Conservatives and 12% for Liam Fitzpatrick (independent), 2% for David Markson (independent). The Liberal Democrat vote share soared by 20% more than during 2022. 

The loss for the Conservatives comes following a drubbing in this month’s earlier by-election losses in Crickhowell which is also located in the Brecon, Radnorshire and Cwm Tawe seat.

The fact that all three by-elections were lost by large margins, with the Liberal Democrat vote share soaring will likely set off alarm bells in Conservative campaign headquarters about their ability to win the parliamentary seat that has previously been held by the Liberal Democrats for long periods of time.

Commenting on the by-election victory, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate Brecon, Radnorshire and Cwm Tawe for David Chadwick said:

“Yet another amazing victory by the Liberal Democrats in Powys is great news for our campaign to win this seat back from the Conservatives at the next General Election.

“When I’ve been knocking on doors with Raiff and with our candidates earlier this month in Crickhowell it is abundantly clear that the public is fed up with the Conservatives and their incompetence.

“These recent by-elections show that a vote for the Liberal Democrats is a vote to get rid of the Conservatives in Brecon, Radnorshire and Cwm Tawe.

Commenting following his victory newly elected Councillor Raiff Devlin said:

“I’d like to thank everyone who voted today. Whoever you voted for I will work extremely hard for you and to represent this amazing community.

“Our rural areas are often forgotten about by both the UK Government and Welsh Government and I will be focusing on ensuring our voice is heard.”

ENDS