The Welsh Liberal Democrats have confirmed their lead candidates for the new Senedd constituency of Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd ahead of next year’s Welsh Parliament elections.

Current Mid and West Wales MS Jane Dodds will head the party's regional list in the newly drawn constituency, with Talgarth councillor and former Assembly Member William Powell occupying second place.

The constituency merges Brecknockshire, Radnorshire and Cwmtawe with Neath and Swansea East, and will elect six members under a new proportional representation system.

Ms Dodds has served in the Senedd since 2021. Before entering politics, she worked for nearly three decades in child protection social work.

Cllr Powell has represented Talgarth on Powys County Council since 2004 and served as a Member of the then Welsh Assembly for Mid & West Wales between 2011 and 2016. He is a qualified modern languages teacher by profession and a partner in the family farm.

The new seat is seen by the Liberal Democrats as a key electoral opportunity, particularly following recent local successes. Last year, the party won the UK parliamentary seat of Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe.

Commenting on her re-selection, Ms Dodds said: “I’m delighted to be leading the list for the Welsh Liberal Democrats in the South of Powys as part of the new Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd seat.

“The Welsh Liberal Democrats have been going from strength to strength across the constituency over the past few years, with David Chadwick winning the seat back for us at a parliamentary level last summer and our party having elected record numbers of councillors, including another just this week in a by-election.

“Over the last five years I’ve fought hard to oppose Labour’s cuts to public services across Mid Wales, to protect our farmers and to clean up our rivers - as well as to secure major investments in Mid Wales. I look forward to getting out there, speaking to the voters and asking them to put their trust in me once again.”

Cllr Powell added: “It's an honour to have been selected by local members to put my hat into the ring to represent the area I love in Cardiff Bay once again.

“If elected, I will be a loud voice for local residents and ensure Mid Wales does not get ignored by those in power, as sadly is too often the case by this current Labour Government.

“We know we can win two seats in this new constituency and I will be out there working in partnership with our local councillors and MP David Chadwick to advocate on behalf of the people right the way across Brecon and Radnorshire and beyond.”