VOTERS across Powys will not get the opportunity of putting the cross in the box for either Plaid Cymru or the Green party on December 12.

The Liberal Democrats, Plaid Cymru and the Greens will not run candidates against each other in 60 seats across England and Wales and includes both Montgomeryshire and Brecon and Radnorshire.

This means in Montgomeryshire, Powys County Council (PCC), Plaid Cymru group leader, Cllr Elwyn Vaughan (Glantwymyn) who was named the party’s prospective parliamentary candidate (PPC) back in July, will have to stand down, with Liberal Democrat PPC, Kishan Devani left as the only “remain” candidate in the election race.

Similarly, down in Brecon and Radnor, Wales Liberal Democrat leader and PPC, Jane Dodds, will not face either Plaid Cymru or Green Party as she looks to hold on to the seat gained from the Conservatives in August.

The deal brokered by the Unite To Remain group and announced on Thursday morning (November 7), follows a similar agreement earlier this year in the Brecon and Radnorshire by-election.

On social media the pact has gone down badly in some quarters while others praise the pragmatism.

Several county councillors have also taken to social media, to air their views:

PCC chair, Cllr Berverley Baynham (Independent – Presteigne): “Political suicide for the party if you ask me.

“What message do Plaid want to give the people of Powys? Are we not Welsh enough for them?”

And cabinet member for Adult Services, Cllr Myfanwy Alexander (Independent – Banwy) tweeted: “I’ve been a member of Plaid Cymru since I was 15 although I did support others when we lived outside Wales, but that’s was where my heart and X was.

“Montgomeryshire has been betrayed by strangers, I’d rather burn my ballot paper.”

On the positive side:

Cllr Emily Durrant (Green – Llangors) tweeted: “It’s interesting to see all the Tories commenting against the idea.

“Just goes to show it was the right decision.

“Politicians that can put people above party should be celebrated and I for one am really pleased with the decision.”

Liberal Democrat councillor on Welshpool Town Council, Richard Church, said on Facebook: “The best people involved in politics are those that have a vision of a better society, and they fight for that vision.

“It’s understandable then, that it hurts when they are asked to put that long term cause on one side for a short term objective namely stopping Brexit.

“My thoughts are with people in the Liberal Democrats, Plaid Cymru and the Green party who are being told by their parties to put their vision to one side for this election in favour of a party with whom thy disagree on fundamental goals.

“I know it would hurt me.”

The declared PPCs in Montgomeryshire are:

Craig Williams – Conservative

Kishan Devani – Liberal Democrat

Oliver Lewis – Brexit Party

Kait Duerden – Labour

The declared PPC’s in Brecon and Radnorshire are:

Fay Jones – Conservative

Jane Dodds – Liberal Democrat

Tomos Davies – Labour

Nominations close at 4pm next Thursday, November 14.