BRECON and Radnorshire Conservative candidate Chris Davies has welcomed Boris Johnson’s triumph in the Conservative Party leadership battle.

Mr Johnson is now set to become Prime Minister on Wednesday when Theresa May steps down,.

But the controversial former Foreign Secretary’s victory has been described as a "dark day for British politics" by the leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats.

Former London Mayor Mr Johnson’s first major test at PM will be the Brecon and Radnorshire by-election, just a week into his premiership, on August 1 in which the Lib Dems are heavily fancied to take the seat from the Conservatives.

Speaking from the Royal Welsh Showground in Llanelwedd after the announcement was made, Mr Davies said: “It is great news that Boris Johnson has been elected as our new leader. He has the kind of energy and vision that we need to break the Brexit deadlock.

“I believe Boris can get the right deal for Britain – a deal that will keep our economy strong and bring about the changes the people of Brecon and Radnorshire voted for.”

During the show farming and industry leaders have raised repeated concerns at Mr Johnson’s willingness to allow Britain to leave the European Union without a deal on October 31.

Farmers’ Union of Wales president Glyn Roberts issued a statement warning against a hard-Brexit as soon as Mr Johnson was announced as Conservative leader.

“We are absolutely clear, no responsible UK Government would allow the UK to leave the EU without a deal," said Mr Roberts.

"We have been relentless in highlighting the grave economic impacts for agriculture, rural communities and other industries of a hard Brexit."

The NFU Cymru farming union has also said it will send an immediate letter to Mr Johnson warning against no deal.

Welsh Lib Dem party president, and Powys county councillor for Talgarth, William Powell said Mr Johnson’s past record of insulting various minority groups made him unsuitable for high office.

He said: "Today is a dark day for British politics. The man likely to be our next Prime Minister is fundamentally untrustworthy and has a history of bigoted and offensive statements towards the BME, LGBT+ and Muslim communities. We will fight Boris’ bigotry and stand up for a tolerant Britain.

“Boris Johnson’s failure to stand up for Sir Kim Darroch, his kowtowing to Donald Trump and his tragic incompetence on the case of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe clearly show that he cannot be trusted on the world stage.

“It is disgraceful that Boris Johnson refuses to rule out proroguing (suspending) Parliament to achieve a no deal Brexit. This would do irreparable damage to our democracy and our economy. We will continue to co-operate across Parliament to prevent a no deal Brexit and do all we can to give the people the final say and the opportunity to stop Brexit."

Mr Powell said the Lib Dems, who on Monday voted former coalition junior minister Jo Swinson as their new leader, offered an alternative to a Boris Johnson lead Conservative party.

Uk Environment Secretary Michael Gove, who attended the first day of the Royal Welsh Show, has also given his support to Chris Davies in next week’s by-election.

The Secretary of State said: “It has been great to be here in this special part of Wales – and to support our fantastic candidate Chris Davies.

“Chris has been a tireless champion of farmers and rural communities in Brecon and Radnorshire, and he is undoubtedly the right person to continue with that job.”

The other candidates in the Brecon and Radnorshire by-election are Jane Dodds (Lib Dem); Tom Davies (Labour); Des Parkinson (Brexit Party); Liz Phillips (UKIP) and Lady Lily the Pink (Official Monster Raving Loony).