We have a new government in the UK, Labour won a landslide, certainly in terms of seats however not in vote share, writes cllr Aled Davies.

On the night of the count, it felt as if there were 650 by-elections across the UK, with the electorate wanting something different, with little enthusiasm for any political party.

My party, the Conservatives, have lots of lessons to learn in defeat, and at all levels, from local councils to Westminster.

‘Change’ has been demanded and ‘change’ is what Labour promised. ‘Change’, such a simple word but how will they change and in what direction will that change be, that certainly hasn’t been articulated.

Residents across Powys want simple, effective government that doesn’t intrude into their everyday lives, one that isn’t a constant psycho drama.

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A government that is honest, makes sound judgments, and delivers on promises.

The Welsh Labour government in Cardiff is going through its own turmoil, and are about to anoint another leader, clearly a compromise candidate, which will only paper over the deep fractures within the Labour party.

Welsh Labour Senedd Members are putting their own and party’s interests before the leadership of our country, much as what some MP’s have done in Westminster.

A period in opposition may be of benefit for Welsh Labour too. Labour have run the Welsh Government for 25 years, and on every measure, their delivery of public services in Wales is far worse than in the rest of the UK.

It’s only 2 years until the next Welsh election, is it time for change?

Change is also required in local government. In Powys, the Liberal Democrat led Council were elected on a promise of fighting for our schools, which was simply dishonest, as they have already agreed the close four and slashed the school’s capital budget.

The Cabinet talk of change, they have been for the last two years, but all they have achieved to date is the change in name of the change programme itself, from ‘Reimagining Powys’ to ‘Sustainable Powys’.

Recently all Councillors have been briefed on ‘Sustainable Powys’, again, four confidential two-hour long sessions, again, all the challenges were explained but no solutions offered.

Disappointingly the sessions had to be officer led, the excellent officers must be exasperated as there was almost zero input or buy-in, even from some of the Cabinet members.

Change must be made on a sound base of evidence but most of all it requires clear leadership.