Lib Dems celebrate Brecon and Radnorshire by-election win

The Liberal Democrats are this morning celebrating the election of Jane Dodds as the MP for Brecon and Radnorshire.   Speaking from the by-election count, the latest Liberal Democrat MP Jane Dodds said:   "34 years ago last month, Richard Livsey’s victory in a by-election here sparked a Liberal revival across Wales and the UK. And today, we’ve done it again.   "I am incredibly humbled by the support. From every walk of life and every political persuasion, people have chosen to believe in my positive liberal vision for something better.   "And by backing that liberal vision, people in Brecon and Radnorshire have sent a powerful message to Westminster; we demand better.   The Welsh Liberal Democrat leader added:   "This victory must be a turning point, not just for our communities here in Brecon and Radnorshire, but for the whole country too.   "People are desperately crying out for a different kind of politics.   "There is no time for tribalism when our country is faced with a Boris Johnson government and the threat of a no-deal Brexit.   "My very first act as your MP when I arrive in Westminster will be to find Boris Johnson, wherever he’s hiding, and tell him loud and clear -  stop playing with the futures of our communities and rule out a no-deal Brexit."   Welcoming the latest Liberal Democrat MP, Leader of the Liberal Democrats Jo Swinson said:   “The Liberal Democrats are winning again, and this latest victory gives hope for a better future for Britain. The people of Brecon and Radnorshire have shown that the country doesn’t have to settle for Boris Johnson or Jeremy Corbyn.   “Boris Johnson’s shrinking majority makes it clear that he has no mandate to crash us out of the EU. As Leader of the Liberal Democrats, I will do whatever it takes to stop Brexit and offer an alternative, positive vision for a richer, greener and safer future. Britain demands better than what the tired old parties can give.   “Jane Dodds will be a fantastic MP, and will campaign tirelessly for a better deal for rural communities, after years of neglect by the Conservatives.”   “We are thankful to Plaid Cymru and the Green Party for putting the national interest first and not contesting this by-election. We now have one more MP who will vote against Brexit in Parliament.”