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BORIS Johnson’s majority was slashed to ONE last night as voters in Wales abandoned Tory expenses cheat Chris Davies in a crucial by-election.
Locals in the Leave constituency of Brecon and Radnorshire were furious that Davies was given a second chance – but they’re still backing the PM to lead Britain out of Brussels.
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The Tories were hoping that their Boris Bounce will help them hold onto the South Wales seat, which voted 52 per cent to Leave, but were beaten into second place by the Liberal Democrats.
He was given a second chance by the Theresa May administration – a decision that is believed to have infuriated Boris’ new cabinet.
However, many voters said the Tories were wrong to have put up “criminal” Mr Davies again for the seat, and wanted an MP with a clean slate.
Jane Dodds, 55, the new Remainer Lib Dem MP, chose to keep quieter about Brexit on her leaflets and campaign than in the national picture.
She decided to keep the focus on local issues and tone down the anti-Brexit narrative – a tactic which helped her win her the seat.
Lib Dems yesterday also said the good weather in the area helped them to get the vote out.
But Dodds was not the Tories’ only headache in the area.
Nigel Farage’s insurgent Brexit Party put up former local policeman Des Parkinson, 71, who was successful in hoovering up disaffected Tory voters.
They came in third place, pushing Labour into fourth.
The Brexit Party’s 3,000 votes split the Tories share – if they hadn’t have stood in the seat then Mr Davies would have had a far better chance and probably won.
Overall, more people voted for parties who want to deliver Brexit than wanted the Lib Dem in post.
I’m hoping that now we have a change of leader we won’t get bullied by Europe.
Alexandra Stephens
But despite booting out Mr Davies last night for good, Brecon Brexiteers are over the moon that “remarkably intelligent” Boris, who visited Wales earlier this week, is in No10.
One local said: “I’m hoping that now we have a change of leader we won’t get bullied by Europe.”
D-DAY FOR DAVIES
Drama student Dylan Matthews, 19, thought Brecon needed a new MP.
He said: “Someone who has bounced will bounce again. Once a thief, always a thief – that’s what I say.”
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Tracey Slade, 56, a pilates teacher, said: “Davies committed a criminal offence, it was gross misconduct in public office, I can’t vote for him.”
While university lecturer Sylvia Perry, 59, said it was “a shock” Davies had been allowed to run again.
Davies committed a criminal offence, it was gross misconduct in public office, I can’t vote for him.
Tracey Slade
The mum-of-two said: “For me it’s an ethical issue of honesty.
“He was convicted and the judge said there was clear evidence of deception.
“I think that should stop you from holding public office.”
Professional flamenco dancer Josie Sinnadurai, 25, voted Lib-Dem and was unimpressed Davies was back up for election.
She said: “It shows a lack of understanding of the serious offence he committed.”
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BATTLE FOR BRECON
- Brecon and Radnorshire is the second Welsh by-election this year.
- Six candidates battled it out for 53,000 votes with the rural seat the largest constituency (geographically) in Wales.
- The candidates were: Chris Davies, Conservative Party; Tom Davies, Labour Party; Jane Dodds, Liberal Democrats; Des Parkinson, Brexit Party; Liz Phillips, UKIP; Lady Lily The Pink, Monster Raving Loony Party.
- Traditionally the seat has been contested by Tories and the Lib Dems with Chris Davies winning his seat in 2015.
- Brecon and Radnor’s by-election was been triggered over Davies’ expenses scandal – when 20% of local voters signed a petition to have him unseated.
- It was only the second time a by-election had been triggered this way.
- The first was when Labour MP Fiona Onasanya, who represented Peterborough, was convicted of lying about her speeding offence in May this year.
Security guard Peter Moses, 58, was keeping his vote a secret but it wouldn’t be for Davies.
He said: “What he did was an embarrassment and a disgrace. After what he did the Tories should have told him DCM – Don’t Come Monday.”
EXPENSES SCANDAL
Davies, 51, was fired after nearly 20 per cent of his constituents signed a recall petition – making him only the second MP in history to be subject to this.
The scandal involved Davies submitting fake invoices for £700 paying for nine framed landscape photographs to decorate his office.
The 51-year-old put it down to a “administrative error” but he was fined £1,500 and made to carry out 50 hours of community service.
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Speaking last month, Davies said: “I sincerely apologise to all the people of Brecon and Radnorshire – and now it is absolutely right that they have their say about whether they would still support me to be there their Member of Parliament in a by-election.
“I hope they do, and look forward to regaining their trust and building on the progress we have made over the last four years.”
However, it is not all doom and gloom for the Tories in Wales, leading many to believe the wrong candidate was behind last night’s loss.
The party leapfrogged Labour with a lead of 24 per cent, a shock poll found this week, representing the highest rating in the principality since the start of the 2017 election.
N010 believe this is down to the Boris bounce and Leave voters in Brecon certainly think Bo-Jo is the right man to deliver Brexit by October 31.
[Boris Johnson] is a remarkably intelligent man and very humorous – he’s wanted the job for a long time.
Chrissie Maddy
Care home worker Chrissie Maddy, 55, who voted to leave the EU, wants people to give the new Prime Minster a chance.
She said: “It’s not Theresa May’s fault we are in this position, but I think Boris will do better because he’s a man.
“He’s a remarkably intelligent man and very humorous – he’s wanted the job for a long time.”
Dad-of-three Peter, from Brecon, hopes Boris can get us out of the Brexit deadlock.
He said: “We have to give him a chance, you never know.”
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