Jane Dodds to step down as Welsh Liberal Democrat leader

Jane Dodds is stepping down as leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, saying the effort to build the party’s representation in the Senedd should be led by a new generation. She will remain the party’s only member of the Welsh Parliament, according to the BBC. [1]

Dodds, who represents Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd, said she had considered what the party needed after May’s election and that “now is the right time” to hand over the leadership. She has led the Welsh party since November 2017 and has been a Senedd member since 2021. [1]

Nominations to replace her are due to open on 23 October and close on 16 November. The party said Welsh Liberal Democrat MP David Chadwick is currently the only person eligible to seek nomination. [1]

The Liberal Democrats have held just one Senedd seat since 2016. Dodds said Wales needed “more than one liberal voice” in the parliament and that building a larger team would take years of work in communities. [1]