Last Friday saw six Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd candidates elected to the Senedd with huge results for Reform UK and Plaid Cymru in the area.

Reform’s James Evans was reelected to the Senedd, taking the first seat in the area, while Sioned Williams of Plaid Cymru was also reelected, taking the second seat.

Iain McIntosh of Reform took the third seat and Rebeca Phillips of Plaid took the fourth seat.

Liberal Democrat, Jane Dodds was reelected in the fifth seat for the area, and Reform’s David Mills took the sixth and final seat.

Upon the announcement of our new MSs, at around 5pm, they all gave a speech on the stage in Llanelwedd, where the count had taken place.

As seat number one for the constituency, James Evans MS took to the stage first. He said: “Thank you very much Madam Returning Officer, all the staff here today in Builth Wells and our counters. I think they deserve a round of applause for the stellar job they have done today. I also want to make a point of thanking the Council’s Legal Officer Clive who has overseen many of these elections and I am lead to believe this is his final one, so thank you, Clive.

“I’d also like to thank the other candidates who have stood in this election. This election from a candidate perspective has been dealt in a very respectful way and I would like to thank you all for the way you have conducted yourself in this campaign.

“One big thank you to my election team, and fellow candidates for all the support you have given me and the Reform army here in Brycheinog Tawe Nedd, and even though Radnorshire isn’t included in that name, thank you very much to all for your support.

“I’d also like to thank my team that supported me in my office over the last five years. The work that they have done supporting the people of Brecon and Radnorshire has been absolutely phenomenal and they don’t get the credit that they deserve.

“I’d like to thank my family and my friends, especially my wife Emma for her support and helping me to go again when I wasn’t quite sure if I was going to, so thank you very much, honey, for your support. It is very much appreciated.

“I’d also just like to say a huge thank you to the constituents of Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd for winning us the popular vote and returning three Reform Senedd members down to Cardiff. It’s a huge day for our constituency and the people have voted for Reform. It’s a huge day for us across Wales. There’s a long way to go yet but we are going to see a change here in Wales.

“And if Reform is in a position to form a government after this election is done, we stand ready to form a welsh government that delivers common sense and makes sure to put people’s priorities first. Diolch yn fawr, thank you very much. I look forward to the next four years representing this constituency.”

The number two seat for Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd, the returning MS, Sioned Williams of Plaid Cymru said: “It’s normal to say what an honour it is of course to represent this community, but in a constituency this large there are many communities. Those of us that have knocked on doors after the past two months will know all too well that people are struggling and I understand the apathy of politics and the search of course for alternatives and it is up to us to revive people’s beliefs in a positive future for our nation.

“Central to Plaid Cymru’s vision is the belief that our diversity is our strength. As your Plaid Cymru representative, I intend to give a voice and to defend the rights of all citizens in this magnificent part of Wales from Swansea, from my home, through the Swansea Valley, over the Bannau to Brecon and beyond to Presteigne and all the way up to Llandbadarn Fawr. Diolch yn fawr”

Taking to the stage, new MS Iain McIntosh said: “I can’t express how much of an honour and a privilege it is to be on this stage stood in front of you today and to represent this constituency. It’s been a long journey. We’re finally here. I won’t go on as long as the other speakers, but I do really want to thank everybody who has been part of this. From our fantastic supporters, many of whom are here today. I’m not going to be able to name them all but you all know who you are. My wife Dawn has been my strength behind me, keeping me going throughout this campaign. I really appreciate that, thank you.

“All I will say at the moment is I have a massive amount of work to do, as do the rest of us. We’ve made a good, big, strong stamp in this constituency here for Reform and we’re building on this and it’s only going to get better. Thank you very much.”

Plaid Cymru’s Rebeca Phillips, who took the fourth seat in the constituency said: “It has been an honour to work with you all. All of those doors knocked and conversations had, they were worth it. Thank you to my family and friends for your constant support, especially to my long suffering husband, Aled. Diolch yn fawr.”

Reelected MS of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, Jane Dodds said: “I’ll keep it short because those of you here must be really tired but I did want to say thank you once again to the officers and the clerks and a big thanks to everybody here, my fellow candidates and everybody in the Welsh Liberal Democrats.

“It is a great honour to be back in the Senedd and to keep that Liberal Democrat flame alive, and I need to say to all of my fellow candidates, I hope they will represent Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd with compassion, with kindness, with no hatred, with no division, and with no hatred towards others because that is what Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd is. Diolch yn fawr.”

The third Reform seat, and sixth MS for Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd, David Mills said: “Eighteen months ago when I joined Reform, I never imagined I would be here now, but as the party has grown and as we have grown stronger, I have become more aware of how relevant Reform is.

“We’ve got a great chance now to do something and change things. There are crazy things happening in this country and we are going to make sure things change. Thank you.”