Montgomeryshire: Glyn Davies holds seat for Welsh Conservatives

The Liberal Democrats may have hoped to overturn the narrow Conservative majority in one of the party's former strongholds – but ultimately lost by a greater margin than in 2010.

In a reflection of the national picture, Jane Dodds's proportion of the vote actually declined, leaving Conservative Glyn Davies clear to become the first Tory to retain the seat.

Candidates for 2015:

• GLYN DAVIES (Conservatives) 15,204

• Richard Chaloner (Green Party) 1,260

• Jane Dodds (Liberal Democrat) 9,879

• Ann Griffith (Plaid Cymru) 1,745

• Des Parkinson (Ukip) 3,769

• Martyn Singleton (Labour) 1,900

• Turnout 69.45 per cent

Results from 2010:

• GLYN DAVIES (Con) 13,976

• Lembit Opik (Lib Dem) 12,792

• Heledd Fychan (Plaid Cmyru) 2,802

• Nick Colbourne (Lab) 2,407

• David Rowlands (Ukip) 1,128

• Milton Ellis (Nat Front) 384

• Bruce Lawson (Ind) 324

• Conservative majority 1,184

• Turnout 69.4 per cent

He won 15,204 votes, up from 13,976 in 2010, while Ms Dodds won 9,879 votes, compared with the 12,792 which went to Lembit Opik in 2010.

In an election which saw the Liberal Democrats taking heavy blows all over the country, the party had hoped to regain this former stronghold – but it ultimately saw the Conservatives' majority triple between the two elections.

Turnout was 69.45 per cent, or 33,813 votes, which reflected a slight decrease on 2010.

There was a 17 per cent increase in postal votes.

"I'm absolutely delighted," Mr Davies said. "It's actually the happiest time of my career to be re-elected.

"It's the first time a Conservative has defended the seat here, it's an increased majority.

"I've always loved this county. In fact I'm rare as an MP as I have always lived here and never lived anywhere else.

"I've been an MP for five years, I've had a great team supporting me, all local people from Montgomeryshire coming out to make a great effort."

When asked about his plans now he has retained the seat, Mr Davies added: "I'm still opposed to the Mid Wales connection project, I'm determined to stop that.

"I'm going to have to spend quite a lot of time dealing with the health service as well, because that's a big thing for me and for the people of Montgomeryshire.

"People want health services they can reach easily. What I said five years ago I have stuck to, and I'm going to carry on campaigning on the same issues. I don't chop and change."

Ms Dodds said: "It has been a disappointing night for the Liberal Democrats. The future for Liberalism will go on in Montgomeryshire."

Des Parkinson of Ukip finished third, and said: "We are delighted. We have more than tripled our vote and put Ukip on the map in Montgomeryshire."

During the campaign, bosses of both parties have brought a host of their big guns to the county. The Tories called on former party leader William Hague – who is moving to Mid Wales, current Environment Secretary Liz Truss and Jeremy Hunt, while the Lib Dems have been represented by deputy prime minister Nick Clegg – and his wife who made her own separate visit – Lord Paddy Ashdown and Vince Cable