Brecon and Radnorshire
2005 Results:
Liberal Democrat: 17182 (44.8%)
Conservative: 13277 (34.6%)
Labour: 5755 (15%)
Plaid Cymru: 1404 (3.7%)
UKIP: 723 (1.9%)
Majority: 3905 (10.2%)
2001 Result
Conservative: 13073 (34.8%)
Labour: 8024 (21.4%)
Liberal Democrat: 13824 (36.8%)
Plaid Cymru: 1301 (3.5%)
UKIP: 452 (1.2%)
Other: 842 (2.2%)
Majority: 751 (2%)
1997 Result
Conservative: 12419 (29%)
Labour: 11424 (26.6%)
Liberal Democrat: 17516 (40.8%)
Plaid Cymru: 622 (1.5%)
Referendum: 900 (2.1%)
Majority: 5097 (11.9%)
No Boundary Changes: No changes were proposed or suggested.
Profile: The largest seat in Wales geographically, Brecon and Radnorshire covers most of the historic counties of Radnorshire and Brecknockshire. It is an isolated rural seat with difficult communications, made up largely of mountains and forest. It includes the Cambrian mountains, Black Mountains and Brecon Beacons national park. The main industries are tourism and sheep farming.
Towns includes Brecon, Builth Wells, Llanwrtyd Wells, one of the smallest towns in the UK and the site of the annual bog snorkling championships, Ystradgynlais, an industrial town at the far South of the constituency and Hay-on-Wye on the English border, known for its large number of bookshops and literary festival.
Outgoing MP: Roger Williams(Lib Dem) born 1948, Crickhowell. Educated at Christ College School, Brecon and Cambridge University. Livestock farmer in Breconshire. A former Labour party member he joined the SDP in 1981. Former Powys County Councillor. First elected as MP for Brecon & Radnorshire in 2001. Environment, Food and Rural Affairs spokesman (more information at They work for you)
Candidates: 
Suzy Davies (Conservative) Educated at Exeter University. Solicitor. Contested Brecon and Radnorshire in 2007 Welsh Assembly elections. Contested Carmarthen East and Dinefwr 2005.
Chris Lloyd (Labour) Educated at John Beddoes School and Greenwich University. Researcher for Louise Ellman MP. Roger Williams(Lib Dem) born 1948, Crickhowell. Educated at Christ College School, Brecon and Cambridge University. Livestock farmer in Breconshire. A former Labour party member he joined the SDP in 1981. Former Powys County Councillor. First elected as MP for Brecon & Radnorshire in 2001. Environment, Food and Rural Affairs spokesman (more information at They work for you)
Colin Nosworthy (Plaid Cymru) Dorienne Robinson (Green) Contested Wales 2004 European election.Clive Easton (UKIP)
2001 Census Demographics
Total 2001 Population: 66880
Male: 49.3%
Female: 50.7%
Under 18: 21.2%
Over 60: 26.8%
Born outside UK: 2.9%
White: 98.9%
Asian: 0.4%
Mixed: 0.4%
Other: 0.2%
Christian: 74.7%
Full time students: 2.2%
Graduates 16-74: 19.6%
No Qualifications 16-74: 31.1%
Owner-Occupied: 70.2%
Social Housing: 14.2% (Council: 10.4%, Housing Ass.: 3.9%)
Privately Rented: 10.8%
Homes without central heating and/or private bathroom: 7.1%
Judging by his picture, the Labour candidate here can’t be older than about 15.
I sense that by-election defeats are not taken so seriously nowadays.
I wonder if, like Tony Benn’s granddaughter, he is a beneficiary of the reduction of the age at which candidates can stand from 21 to 18.
As stated above, Labour used to be strong here but of course the Liberals have held it since the 1985 byelection when Tories came third.
Interesting how the Labour vote has been pushed well down in the last 2 GEs.
Tories have recovered dramatically in Wales but I cannot see them taking this one.
Unexpected news – just been announced that Brecon & Radnorshire will count on the night of the election.
Quite often it’s one of only a tiny number of seats which count on Friday.
The only problem is if a seat like this can manage to count on the night, why can’t the seats in places like Northampton, Milton Keynes and Reading?
Chris Lloyd is 24 years old and was selected as the Labour Candidate for Brecon and Radnorshire in July 2008 when he was 22.
I have been informed that the Monster Raving Loony Party have selected Lord Offa of the Dykes, to stand in this constituency.