Llanidloes's Glyn Preston selected as Senedd candidate

Llanidloes Powys County Councillor and former General Election candidate Glyn Preston has been selected to lead the Welsh Liberal Democrats' campaign for the new Gwynedd Maldwyn constituency in next year's Senedd elections.

The announcement comes following a vote by local party members who have chosen Mr Preston to top the party's list for the constituency that covers Montgomeryshire and a wider area into south Gwynedd.

Mr Preston, who has represented Llanidloes on Powys County Council since 2022, was also the Liberal Democrat candidate for Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr in last summer's General Election.

Speaking about his selection, Councillor Preston said: "It's an honour to have been selected as the lead candidate in Gwynedd Maldwyn. Montgomeryshire is my home; I went to school here and work here and have been able to represent the area as a local councillor for several years, where I've campaigned hand in hand with the local community to fight for our public services like Llanidloes Hospital."

He added: "Montgomeryshire is an area with a strong liberal history and even today people remember the great representation provided by former Liberal MPs like Alex Carlile and Emlyn Hooson. If I'm elected, I promise to be a strong voice for this area in Cardiff Bay, ensuring that Mid Wales cannot be forgotten by the Welsh Government."

The Welsh Liberal Democrats consider Gwynedd Maldwyn among their top target seats for next year's elections, with the area being viewed as a historic heartland for the party.

Changes to the electoral system for the Welsh Parliament elections mean candidates only need around 12% of the vote to gain a seat, potentially improving the chances for smaller parties like the Liberal Democrats.

The party also believes there is an opportunity following what they describe as a collapse of their historic rival, the Conservatives, across Wales and Powys.

In the south of Powys, sitting Senedd Member Jane Dodds has been selected as the party's lead candidate for Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd, which will cover both Radnorshire and Brecknockshire.