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Pontypridd MP Owen Smith stands down as General Election announced

29 Oct 2019 2 minute read
Owen Smith. Picture by the House of Commons

Pontypridd Labour MP has announced that he will not stand in the coming Westminster General Election on 12 December.

The announcement came as MPs voted to back the election by a margin of 438 votes to 20.

Owen Smith was first elected at the 2010 election and ad a majority of 11,448. In 2016, he contested the leadership of the Labour Party and was defeated by Jeremy Corbyn.

“For political and personal reasons, I have written tonight to Jeremy Corbyn informing him of my decision not to stand at the coming General Election,” he said.

“It has been a great honour and a privilege to serve the people of the Pontypridd Constituency.”

On Twitter he posted an image of a short letter to Jeremy Corbyn.

‘Inadequate’

Plaid Cymru, whose MPs were among the 20 who voted against the General Election, said that they would have prefered a referendum on Brexit.

“Plaid Cymru’s aim was to deliver a Final Say referendum to end the chaos, but the Labour Party and Conservatives worked together to deliver this election and prolong the uncertainty,” Liz Saville Roberts MP said.

“Plaid Cymru will now go into the election as the leading remain party in Wales, committed to giving our nation a voice in Westminster.

“The last three years has shown up Westminster to be totally inadequate – not fit to serve the people of Wales.

“Johnson and Corbyn know little and care less for our nation.

“Our message is simple – back Wales, back Plaid Cymru.” 


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andy williams
andy williams
4 years ago

Plaid Cymru, party of Wales, don’t make me laugh, they stood down in Brecon and let Lib Dems in, they should be ashamed of themselves

Ann Swindale
Ann Swindale
4 years ago
Reply to  andy williams

If they hadn’t stood down then the disgraced former Tory MP would have got back in!

David Roberts
David Roberts
4 years ago
Reply to  Ann Swindale

So that means one Unionist got in, instead of another unionist. Still, Wales suffers. Plaid have made themselves irrelevant!!

Dr John Ball
Dr John Ball
4 years ago
Reply to  David Roberts

Absolutely David! These are the same Lib Dems who will move heaven and earth to take back Ceredigion – many thanks PC for standing down in Brecon, we won ‘t be returning the favour – and these are the same Lib Dems who rejoiced at Alex Salmond’s defeat and welcomed the resurgence of Scottish Tories. Unionists all!

Huw Davies
Huw Davies
4 years ago
Reply to  andy williams

In 2017 Plaid got 1299 votes (3.1%) in Brecon & Radnor. That was with a 76.9% voter turnout.
In 2019 the Lib Dem percentage went up 14.36%. The by-election only had a 59.7% turnout so Plaid’s absence made little difference. It was Labour’s vote dropping from 17.7% to 5.28% and Brexit party taking 10.47% that ‘let Lib Dems in’.
Plaid would have just been wasting money on yet another lost deposit. I think they made a wise decision. They are certainly not the party of Mid Wales and can take no credit for ‘letting the Lib Dems in’!

Huw Davies
Huw Davies
4 years ago
Reply to  Huw Davies

Huw despite the validity of evidence you submit I argue that it was negligent of Plaid not to have secured a quid pro quo for Ceredigion just to test LibDems’ depth of sincerity and commitment. They would have found it quite shallow.

jr humphrys
jr humphrys
4 years ago
Reply to  Huw Davies

You have to do what you think is the best for your people.
The Scots Nats didn’t think twice, or once, about us when voting for a GE last night.
They have to think what is best for the Scottish people and Independence.
Plaid were thinking about keeping Cymru in the European Union, because Brexit
means big trouble.

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