Jane Dodds steps down as Welsh Liberal Democrat leader

Senedd member calls for new generation to rebuild party

By LineZotpaper

Published20 October 2026

Read Time2 min

Sources3 outlets

Jane Dodds has announced she will stand down as leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats after nearly nine years, saying a new generation should lead the effort to increase the party's presence in the Senedd. She will continue as the Member of the Senedd for Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd.

Jane Dodds, who became Welsh Liberal Democrat leader in November 2017, said leading the party had been "the honour of my life" but that "now is the right time" to hand over the role. Reflecting on the party's future after May's Senedd election, where it returned just one member, she said Wales needed more than one liberal voice in the Senedd and that building that team should be led by a new generation.

The process to replace her opens on 23 October, with nominations closing on 16 November. Under party rules, only Welsh Liberal Democrat MP David Chadwick is currently eligible to seek nomination. If no candidate is nominated at that stage, nominations will open to others.

Dodds emphasised she is not leaving politics, stating she will hold the Welsh government to its promise to tackle child poverty, a cause she pursued as a child protection social worker for 27 years. She previously served as MP for Brecon and Radnorshire after winning a by-election in 2019 and was elected to the Senedd in 2021.

Welsh Liberal Democrat president Tim Sly paid tribute, saying Dodds had led the party "with warmth, determination and integrity through some of the most turbulent years in Welsh and UK politics" and left the party "stronger in our communities and ready to build."

Analysis

Why This Matters

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have been represented by just one Senedd member since 2016, and Dodds' departure could shape the party's strategy for growth.
Dodds' ability to secure policy concessions from the previous Welsh Labour government demonstrated her influence despite the party's small size.
A leadership process may test the party's direction and its ability to attract new candidates.

Background

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have a limited presence in Cardiff Bay, with only one member since 2016. Dodds took leadership in 2017 and has been the sole MS since 2021. The party has focused on local issues and coalition influence.

Key Perspectives

Jane Dodds: She stated that leading the party was an honour and that a new generation should lead the rebuilding. She will continue to hold the Welsh government to its promises on child poverty.

Tim Sly, Welsh Liberal Democrat president: He said Dodds led the party with "warmth, determination and integrity" and left it stronger in communities.

What to Watch

The leadership nomination process, which opens on 23 October and closes on 16 November.
Whether David Chadwick seeks nomination or if the process is opened to other candidates.
Dodds' continued advocacy on child poverty and its impact on Welsh government policy.

Sources

Jane Dodds standing down as Welsh Liberal Democrats leader · BBC News
Jane Dodds standing down as Welsh Liberal Democrats leader · BBC Wales
Jane Dodds to step down as Welsh Liberal Democrat leader · Nation.Cymru

Checked

12 claims in this story checked against 2 sources: 9 supported.

Show each claim

SupportedJane Dodds is stepping down as Welsh Liberal Democrat leader.BBC News: “Jane Dodds has announced she will stand down as leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats.”
SupportedA new generation should lead the work to rebuild the party and increase its presence in the Senedd.BBC News: “work to increase its presence in Wales' parliament "should be led by a new generation"”
SupportedDodds is stepping down after nearly nine years as leader.Nation.Cymru: “Jane Dodds has announced she will stand down as leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats after nearly nine years”
SupportedDodds called leading the party “the honour of my life” and said “now is the right time” to hand over the role.BBC News: “"Leading the Welsh Liberal Democrats has been the honour of my life," she said in a statement on Tuesday, adding "now is the right time" to hand over the role.”
SupportedDodds will continue as the Member of the Senedd for Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd.Nation.Cymru: “Ms Dodds will remain the Member of the Senedd for Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd”
SupportedThe Welsh Liberal Democrats returned just one member at May’s Senedd election.Nation.Cymru: “The Welsh Liberal Democrats returned just one MS at the election”
Reports differOnly David Chadwick is currently eligible to seek nomination to replace Dodds.Nation.Cymru: “David Chadwick MP is the only person other than Ms Dodds eligible to seek nomination in the first stage.”
SupportedNominations open on 23 October and close on 16 November.BBC News: “Nominations to replace Dodds will open on 23 October and close on 16 November.”
Partly supportedIf no candidate is nominated at the first stage, nominations will open to others.Nation.Cymru: “If no candidate is successfully nominated at that stage, nominations will open to people on the party’s approved parliamentary candidates list.”
SupportedDodds said she would hold the Welsh Government to its promise to tackle child poverty.Nation.Cymru: “The new Welsh Government has promised to make tackling child poverty its priority. I will hold them to that promise, every single day.”
Partly supportedDodds pursued child poverty as a child protection social worker for 27 years.Nation.Cymru: “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.”
SupportedTim Sly said Dodds led the party “with warmth, determination and integrity” and left it “stronger in our communities and ready to build.”Nation.Cymru: “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.””