Talks of pacts and deals in the Brecon and Radnorshire by-election
Confirmation that there will be a Parliamentary by-election in Brecon and Radnorshire following the successful recall petition against Chris Davies MP has been quickly followed by candidate speculation.
First we have Anna Soubry of Change UK / The Independent Group for Change writing to the Liberal Democrats, Plaid and the Greens calling for joint support of an independent candidate:
Not so long ago, this could have been a significant political development. These days, rather less so, even if it hadn’t come only a few days after the Liberal Democrats gaining council seats in her patch.
It’s not even an approach that has won favour from all the former Independent Group MPs:
Let’s get real about #breconandradnor – it was a LibDem seat for nearly twenty years. Any pitch for a joint independent candidate is futile, given the already commanding position held by the LibDems and the opportunity that gives for a victory for #Remain. #putthecountryfirst
— Angela Smith MP (@angelasmithmp) June 21, 2019
Second, we have Plaid – who scored only 3% in the constituency in 2017 but are rather more significant a party – also touting for possible deals:
A source within Plaid Cymru said while the party could field its own candidate for the by-election, it is “open” to pacts, agreements, and even a joint candidate for the upcoming by-election – adding the Lib Dems would be “the likely choice” to work with.
Following Mr Davies’s ousting as MP on Friday, Plaid Cymru said in a statement it would “explore options for how we can work together” with other parties to help deliver a fresh EU referendum. [Largs & Millport Weekly News]
Third, there’s news of the Conservatives reaching for the self-destruct button by having Chris Davies be their candidate once again:
I understand that Chris Davies has the support of senior Conservative party figures in his wish to stand again in the Brecon and Radnor by-election
— Adrian Masters (@adrianmasters84) June 21, 2019
Likely to further damage the Conservative Party’s chances of holding the seat is the news from the Brexit Party:
Confirmed Brexit Party fighting Brecon and Radnorshire
— Ross Kempsell (@rosskempsell) June 21, 2019
All this is definitely rather good news from the Liberal Democrat in place in the seat, Jane Dodds.
Anna Soubry has demonstrate how she does not understand how political campaigning works, which is why Change UK have done so badly.
If this was a seat with no Lib Dem tradition and no months of hard work this would be an idea worth considering.
However with the Lib Dem tradition, a Lib Dem AM and months of hard work by Jane, only a political virgin would come up with such an idea.
If the Tories put Chris Davies forward they are looking for an excuse to lose
Keep your eyes and ears open to ensure that the Brexit Party does not get involved with a Tory pact and donors donating secretly for a deal. i would not be surprised that the Tories would do a deal with the devil if it was to their advantage.
In the meantime the remain side MUST come to a quick agreement as to who is standing/supporting who. Momentum has to continue.
Pretty blatant that CUK are still trying to undermine the Lib Dems or they wouldn’t be trying to insist on an independent candidate. Have the talks, sure, but insist on the pro-EU candidate being the Lib Dem.
I agree completely with Simon. We’ve done the hard work; let others of like mind concede this and get behind Jane, while the main objective is remaining in the EU. In this constituency it seems bleedin’ obvious; it may well be different elsewhere.
I agree with David Becket. The LDs have the MSP and a significant council presence in B&R, as well as a long history of holding the seat, an excellent candidate in place, and it was clearly LD activity that made the recall petition a) happen, and b) successful. When a by election comes up in a place where CUK have all these things, I’ll be happy for us to stand down for them. But for now, this is a no-brainer.
We should meet the others and graciously accept any endorsements they offer (while making it clear we do not support Welsh Independence). But Jane should stand as a Liberal Democrat, fighting a Liberal Democrat campaign. Any ‘Remain Alliance’ must accept the strengths that already exist for the various parties, and this is a clear case of that. The best outcome for the anti-Brexit campaign here is to turn a Tory ERG seat into a LD ‘Bollocks to Brexit’ one.
When I said the MSP I obviously meant the AM.
I suppose I was thinking Scottish because I was confused by the citing of the Largs & Millport Weekly News as the defining authority on Welsh politics. 8=)
Wow. I agree with Angela. The candidate must be our excellent adopted PPC. Some sort of understanding with the Plaid is certainly possible, but on the basis of “our candidate will talk with you and listen to what you have to say; and if a by-election comes up in a constituency where you’re second and we’re fourth or fifth, we could reciprocate.”
Yes exactly it must be a Lib Dem candidate in this constituency, it would be different elsewhere depending on who was second at the last GE. The party should not give into any threats.
What about the Green Party?
What about them?