PLAID CYMRU’S Brecon and Radnorshire branch has given its backing to the party’s decision not to contest the August 1 by-election.

The self-styled ’Party of Wales’ will not give its local voters, or those wishing to express their support for Plaid’s long term goal of Welsh independence, the opportunity to show it their support in the by-election triggered by the recall of Conservative MP Chris Davies.

Instead the party said it is pulling out to support Liberal Democrat candidate Jane Dodds as a candidate who is in favour of the UK remaining in the European Union.

At the 2016 EU referendum, Powys, like Wales has a whole voted to leave the EU.

The announcement of the highly anticipated deal between the Lib Dems and Plaid was formally released last night in an interview given by outgoing Lib Dem leader Vince Cable and Plaid Cymru leader Adam Price to the English newspaper The Times of London.

Justin Horrell, the chair of Plaid Cymru’s local constituency party Justin Horrell, said it backed the decision as it the Brexit Party could win the seat.

Mr Horrell said: "As a local party, we support our party’s principled decision not to field a candidate in the forthcoming Brecon and Radnorshire byelection.

“Plaid Cymru’s priority is always to defend the Welsh national interest. That’s why our party leader Adam Price wrote to the leaders of other pro-Remain parties immediately after the European election to seek cooperation between the parties.

"With both candidates in the Tory leadership contest prepared to take Wales out of the EU without a deal, it is imperative that the Brexit party is not able to use this byelection as an opportunity to gain its first seat in the Westminster parliament.

"Any kind of Brexit would be disastrous for Brecon and Radnorshire, and for Wales, putting thousands of jobs across the nation in danger, and risking crucial investment in our communities and businesses.

"Plaid Cymru could never tolerate such an outcome. That’s why our party has decided to stand aside – in the interests of Wales, and of the Remain cause – and we are confident that a pro-Remain MP will be elected for Brecon and Radnorshire as a result of our party’s principled leadership."

Lib Dem candidate Jane Dodds said: "This is a historic and courageous decision in the interests of the progressive cause.

“In this by-election we are demanding better for local people and businesses, not just on Brexit - where farmers’ livelihoods are at serious risk - but on healthcare and vital rural services too.

“I am working every day to beat the Conservatives and the Brexit Party here, and the support Plaid Cymru are offering is extremely welcome.”

Plaid Cymru has always struggled to break through in Brecon and Radnorshire and at the 2015 General Election, and the following year’s Welsh Assembly election, it lost its usual fourth place finish in the constituency to UKIP.

It regained fourth place at the 2017 election, pushing the then much diminished UKIP back into fifth, but still only polled 1,299 votes.

At the 2017 snap election the Green Party, which has already ruled out of standing in the by-election, polled out and advised its supporters to vote Lib Dem to oust Mr Davies, who won the seat from the Lib Dems in 2015. But the tactic failed and the Conservative increased his majority to 8,038.

The description of the Plaid Cymru and Lib Dem pact as a remain alliance is also likely to anger Labour candidate Tom Davies who said he also believes a further referendum on a withdrawal deal or remaining in the EU should be held.

The Brecon Town Councillor said: "What we have in Parliament is deadlock, the only thing they can agree on is against no deal. The only way forward is if an agreement can be reached that goes back for a confirmatory referendum and remain must be on the ballot.

"I would be voting for remain as there is no option I can see leaves us with the benefits (of staying in the EU)."

Mr Davies said he believed the Labour Party’s leadership is moving to that position and Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford had made it clear that was the position in Wales.Brexit Party candidate Des Parkinson suggested Plaid was simply trying to save money by not fighting the election.He said: "Plaid Cymru must want to save £500 by not losing their deposit at the by-election. They are not really present in our constituency, so they are no loss. But they ask their few voters to support an EU Remain party to halt the democratically -demanded national and local vote to leave. "The battle lines are drawn, remain wants to bury multiple local concerns in a bid to overturn the EU referendum. I ask the 53.7% of Powys who voted leave to give me their vote, so I can help deliver Brexit."