NEW Prime Minister Boris Johnson is set to visit the Brecon and Radnorshire constituency today ahead of Thursday’s by-election.
A new poll, published by ITV Wales, has already credited a ’Boris bounce’ - a boost in support credited to the new PM - with the Conservatives taking a poll lead across Wales.
The latest Welsh Political Barometer poll has put support for the Tories, in a Westminster election, across Wales at 24% with Labour down to 22%. The same poll also found strong support for the Tories in Wales in the opening month of the 2017 snap general election but once the actual votes were cast and counted Labour still had a majority of Welsh seats.
In the lates poll support for the Brexit Parties at 18%, which is a 5% reduction on the previous poll published just before May’s European elections, and the Liberal Democrats are at 16%, a 4% increase.
The poll is based on support across the country and, on the figures produced, in a general election the Lib Dems would win two seats, including Brecon and Radnorshire.
The poll’s projections don’t take into account this week’s by-election in which Lib Dem candidate Jane Dodds is considered favourite to recapture the seat from Conservative Chris Davies who won it in 2015.
The by-election has been forced after Mr Davies, admitted, and was sentenced for expenses offences having created false invoices in 2016 to split the £700 cost of office photographs, he was entitled to claim for, between two expenses accounts.
No details of where Mr Johnson, who is also due to meet Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford in Cardiff, will visit in the constituency have been announced.
Also standing are Tom Davies (Labour), Des Parkinson (Brexit Party), Liz Phillips (UKIP) and Lady Lily the Pink (Official Monster Raving Loony Party).