POWYS Liberal Democrats have successfully defended the Talybont-on-Usk ward in a by-election.

Last night, Wednesday, November 22 the Liberal Democrat candidate Raiff Devlin was declared the winner.

Coupled with their double victory in the Crickhowell with Cwmdu and Tretower ward this takes the Liberal Democrat group up to 22 and strengthens the minority ruling administration coalition which includes both Labour and Green Party councillors.

Cllr Devlin said: “I’d like to thank everyone who voted.

“Whoever you voted for, I will work extremely hard for you and to represent this unique 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.”

The Liberal Democrats will also take heart from this and their earlier by-election result that they now win the enlarged Brecon, Radnorshire, and Cwm Tawe Westminster seat from the Conservative Fay Jones MP at the next general election, which is expected to be held in the next year.

The final results of the by-election were:

  • Raiff Devlin – Liberal Democrats – 352 votes
  • Charles de Winton – Conservative – 241 votes
  • Liam Fitzpatrick – Independent – 83 votes.
  • David Markinson – Independent – 14 votes.

The by-election needed to take place as Anita Cartwright who was elected as the Liberal Democrat Powys County Councillor in May 2022 for Talybont-on-Usk announces her resignation at the end of September.

Ms Cartwright’s time as a councillor was affected by ill-health and the controversial purchase by the Welsh government Gilestone farm for £4.25 million last year with a view to leasing it to the Green Man organisation.

The new make-up of Powys County Council:

Minority Administration

  • Liberal Democrats – 22.
  • Labour – 9.
  • Green Party – 1.
  • Opposition groups
  • Conservatives – 14.
  • Plaid Cymru – 3.
  • Independent group – 8.
  • Independents for Powys group – 6.
  • Non-affiliated councillors – 5.
  • Total = 68