The Liberal Democrats secured a second council by-election win in less than a month yesterday following their victory in Talybont-on-Usk.

Raiff Devlin, a 27-year-old retained firefighter, building surveyor and young farmer won the vote to represent the Talybont ward - becoming one of the youngest councillors in Powys.

The final results of the by-election in Talybont were 352 (52 per cent) for the Liberal Democrats, 241 (34 per cent) for Charles De Winton (Conservative), 83 (12 per cent) for Liam Fitzpatrick (Independent) and 14 (2 per cent) for David Markson (Independent).

The Liberal Democrat vote share increased by over 20 per cent since the 2022 local elections.

The result continues a good month for the party in Brecon and Radnorshire following the Crickhowell with Cwmdu and Tretower ward by-election a fortnight ago, when candidates Claire Hall and Chloe Masefield were voted in for the Lib Dems.

Raiff Devlin said: “I’d like to thank everyone who voted today. 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 election followed the resignation of Liberal Democrat councillor Anita Cartwright at the end of September.

Ms Cartwright was elected in May 2022 and her time as a councillor was affected by ill-health and the controversial purchase by the Welsh Government of Gilestone Farm for £4.25 million last year, with a view to leasing it to the Green Man organisation.

Gilestone is in the ward and the deal has caused much anger and polarised the community there.

Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate Brecon, Radnorshire and Cwm Tawe for David Chadwick said: “Yet another amazing victory by the Liberal Democrats in Powys is great news for our campaign to win this seat back from the Conservatives at the next General Election.

“When I’ve been knocking on doors with Raiff and it is clear as the Powys night sky that the public is fed up with the Conservatives and their incompetence.

“These recent by-elections show that a vote for the Liberal Democrats is a vote to get rid of the Conservatives in Brecon, Radnorshire and Cwm Tawe."