Jane Dodds MS has announced she is standing down as leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats after nearly nine years in the role. She will continue to serve as the Member of the Senedd for Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd.
Ms Dodds, who was elected leader in November 2017, was the only Liberal Democrat elected at May's Senedd elections. Her political career includes serving as MP for Brecon and Radnorshire following the August 2019 by-election, being elected MS for Mid and West Wales in 2021, and being re-elected for Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd in May 2026.
Reasons for stepping down
Announcing her decision, Ms Dodds said: "Leading the Welsh Liberal Democrats has been the honour of my life. Together we have won councillors across Wales and used our voice in the Senedd to deliver real change for families, from new funding for childcare to standing up for Wales as a Nation of Sanctuary."
She added: "After May's election, I've thought hard about what our party needs. Wales needs more than one liberal voice in the Senedd. Building that team will take years of hard work in communities across the country and I believe that work should be led by a new generation. Now is the right time to hand it over."
Tribute and future plans
Welsh Liberal Democrat president Tim Sly paid tribute to her work, saying: "Jane has led our party with warmth, determination, and integrity through some of the most turbulent years in Welsh and UK politics. She leaves the Welsh Liberal Democrats stronger in our communities and ready to build. On behalf of every member I want to thank her for her extraordinary service."
Ms Dodds also reflected on her background, stating: "I'm not going anywhere. I came into politics after 27 years as a child protection social worker because I could not accept the number of children growing up in poverty in Wales. Today that is more than 200,000 children. The new Welsh Government has promised to make tackling child poverty its priority. I will hold them to that promise, every single day."
Leadership election process
Nominations for the next leader will open on October 23 and close on November 16. In the first stage, Members of the Senedd and Members of Parliament are eligible to be nominated with the support of 50 party members. David Chadwick MP is the only person other than Jane Dodds MS eligible to seek nomination at this stage.
Should no MSs or MPs be successfully nominated, a second stage will take place in which all persons on the party's approved parliamentary candidates list may seek nomination. If only one candidate is nominated at either stage, they will be declared leader. Should more than one candidate be nominated, an election will take place.
