Jane Dodds

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Not to be confused with Anneliese Jane Dodds.

Jane Dodds
Official portrait, 2021
Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats
Assumed office
3 November 2017
LeaderSir Vince Cable
Jo Swinson
Sir Ed Davey
Preceded byMark Williams
Kirsty Williams (Acting)
Member of the Senedd
for Mid and West Wales
Assumed office
6 May 2021
Member of Parliament
for Brecon and Radnorshire
In office
1 August 2019 – 6 November 2019
Preceded byChris Davies
Succeeded byFay Jones
Personal details
Born (1963-09-13) 13 September 1963 (age 60)
Wrexham, Wales
Political partyWelsh Liberal Democrats (2005 – present)
Other political
affiliations		Labour Party (until 2003)
SpousePatrick Dodds
Residence(s)Hay-on-Wye, Powys
EducationCardiff University
WebsiteOfficial website

Jane Dodds (born 13 September 1963) is a Welsh politician who has served as Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats since 2017. She was elected as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Brecon and Radnorshire at the seat's 2019 by-election, but was an MP for only three months before being defeated in the general election later the same year. In May 2021, Dodds was elected to the Senedd on the Mid and West Wales list. She is the only Liberal Democrat MS in the Senedd.

Early life and career[edit]

Dodds was born and raised in a Welsh-speaking family in Wrexham, North Wales. She attended Ysgol Morgan Llwyd before studying social care at Cardiff University.

After university she trained to become a social worker,[1] and worked for the Salvation Army in Child Protective Services for 27 years before being elected. During this time she also worked in a number of local authorities and for Cafcass, and also at one stage led the Children's Section of the Refugee Council.

She currently lives in Hay-on-Wye with her husband Patrick.[1]

Political career[edit]

London[edit]

Dodds moved to London in early 2000 and was a member of the Labour Party until 2003. Being a strong opponent of military intervention, she left the party following its decision to take part in the invasion of Iraq in early 2003.[2] In 2005 she joined the Liberal Democrats following a meeting with Susan Kramer – who was at the time the Liberal Democrat MP for Richmond Park – and quickly became active in the local Richmond party.

Dodds stood for Richmond upon Thames London Borough Council for the Liberal Democrats in the 2006 local elections, and was elected as one of three councillors in the North Richmond ward.[3] In 2008 she was appointed as Cabinet Member for Performance in the Lib Dem-run administration, where she was responsible for the performance of the authority and ensuring that residents obtained value for money.[4] She narrowly failed to retain her seat in 2010 by a narrow margin of 19 votes, despite obtaining the highest vote among the three Liberal Democrat candidates.

She also contested a by-election for the same ward in 2012, following the resignation of one of the sitting Conservative councillors. During the by-election she was the victim of false leaflets produced in her name, which were produced to look like official Liberal Democrat literature.[5] She narrowly missed out on re-election by 146 votes.[6]

Wales[edit]

At the Royal Welsh Show in 2018

In November 2012, Dodds returned to Wales and moved to Welshpool to help care for her elderly mother. Early the following year she was selected as the parliamentary candidate for Montgomeryshire, which Alex Carlile and later Lembit Öpik had held for the Liberal Democrats from 1983 to 2010. Dodds contested the seat in both the 2015 and 2017 general elections, as well as the Welsh Assembly constituency of Montgomeryshire in 2016. She came second on all three occasions, the Welsh Conservatives retaining both seats.

Dodds was elected as the Welsh Liberal Democrats Leader in November 2017, defeating Aberaeron Councillor Elizabeth Evans by 13% in an all-member ballot.[7]

As an MP[edit]

In March 2019, Dodds was selected as the party's Westminster candidate for Brecon and Radnorshire.[8] As candidate for the constituency, Dodds attacked then-Conservative leadership candidate Boris Johnson's comments about immigrant communities where English is allegedly not spoken as a first language, describing Johnson, in Welsh, as out of touch with communities in Wales.[9] Dodds won the by-election on 1 August 2019.[10]

After serving for 97 days, she failed to retain her seat at the general election of 12 December, becoming one of the shortest-serving members at Westminster.[11] The female MPs with the shortest continuous service are Labour's Ruth Dalton in 1929, at 92 days, and the Scottish National Party's Margo MacDonald who subsequently equalled that in 1973–74.[12]

In the Senedd[edit]

Dodds led her party into the 2021 Senedd election[13] and gained a seat on the list vote in Mid and West Wales, the only seat in the Senedd to be retained by the party.[14] The seat was only held by 714 votes.[15]

Political positions[edit]

Health[edit]

In the Senedd, Jane Dodds has been critical of Welsh Labour's running of the NHS, campaigning against long ambulance waiting times, particularly in rural areas such as her own constituency of Mid and West Wales where services are generally poorer than their urban counterparts.[16][17] Dodds has called for a priority in investment in social care across Wales in order to reduce stress on A&E services and ambulances being backed up because patients cannot be discharged from emergency departments.[18]

Dodds has called for the extension of safe staffing levels for nursing in Wales to cover mental health inpatient wards and community nursing.[19] The original legislation on safe staffing levels for nurses was introduced by former Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Kirsty Williams in 2016.[20]

Since being elected to the Senedd, Jane Dodds has focused heavily on improving access to dental care in Wales stating that dental care in Wales has "all but collapsed" and that Welsh Labour have allowed a "two-tier system where the well-off can afford to go private and those, who are probably in the highest need, on lower incomes are left waiting in agony for treatment, unable to register for an NHS dentist".[21][22]

To solve the dentist crisis, Dodds presented a plan calling for a number of measures including: training more dental nurses and hygienists and widening the scale of work they are allowed to carry out; increasing per-capita spending from the current £47 to match the levels of Scotland (£55) and Northern Ireland (£57); setting health board targets for waiting times and appointments and integrating primary dental care more closely with other NHS primary care.[23]

Rural affairs and agriculture[edit]

Dodds opposed the UK Conservative Government's trade deals with Australia and New Zealand, stating they were one-sided and that the Conservatives had sold Welsh farmers down the river by allowing cheaper products with lower standards into the UK market. She also called for future trade deals to be put to the UK Parliament for a vote and for impact assements to be carried out on the impact of trade deals for all regions of the UK.[24]

In 2023, Jane Dodds secured a key amendment to the Welsh Agriculture Bill to ensure there is Welsh Government support available to farmers who are looking to establish small-scale renewable energy production on their land and to support the agricultural industry in making changes to increase energy efficiency in their businesses.[25]

The environment and public transport[edit]

Jane Dodds supports action on climate change and has opposed to opening of new coal mines in Wales and has called on the Welsh and UK Government's to prioritise investment in new industries, such as green hydrogen, in former mining communities.[26]

Dodds is supportive of greater investment in offshore wind in Wales alongside small-scale hydropower and tidal power. She has also called for the cutting of red tape on planning rules for offshore wind in order to boost moves towards a "green industrial revolution".[27]

Dodds has opposed potential cuts by the Welsh Labour Government to bus services in Wales, a move which she has stated would leave rural communities like hers even more isolated.[28] She has also supported the concept of free-travel for under-25s to tackle climate change, increase social mobility and revitalise routes with low ridership.[29] She has also called on the Welsh Government to investigate subsidised public transport, pointing to similar schemes in Spain and Germany.[30]

Jane Dodds has supported proposals to re-open the Aberystwyth-Carmarthen rail line pointing out that it would cost a fraction of the Barnett Formula consequentials Wales should in her opinion receive from HS2.[31]

Dodds has campaigned for the introduction of hourly rail services on the Cambrian Line in Montgomeryshire and Ceredigion.[32]

Devolution and electoral reform[edit]

Dodds supports the greater devolution of powers to Wales and the creation of a federal UK.[33] She also supports the findings of the Silk Commission for the devolution of justice to Wales.[34]

Dodds supports implementing electoral reform across the UK including at Westminster, the Senedd and in local elections. She has supported introducing proportional representation in the Senedd under the Single Transferrable Vote (STV) system. She has criticised Welsh Labour and Plaid Cymru for not backing STV and opting for closed lists under current Senedd reform plans.[35]

Foreign policy[edit]

Jane Dodds opposed and campaigned against Brexit.[36] She has since supported rebuilding economic ties with the EU, restoring freedom of movement and eventually rejoining the single market.[37]

Dodds was against the 2003 invasion of Iraq and left the Labour Party due to its role in the invasion.[38]

Dodds is a supporter of global human rights and has criticised the Welsh Labour Government for engaging with authoritarian regimes, including criticising Welsh Labour Leader Mark Drakeford for being one of the only UK politicians to visit Qatar during the 2022 FIFA World Cup.[39][40]

Jane Dodds has expressed support for Ukraine following Russia's invasion of the country and has called on the UK Government to continue to arm Ukraine as well as provide financial support, do more to sanction Russia and support Ukrainian refugees in the UK.[41][42]

Electoral record[edit]

Westminster elections[edit]

General election 2019: Brecon and Radnorshire[43]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Fay Jones 21,958 53.1 +4.5
Liberal Democrats Jane Dodds 14,827 35.9 +6.8
Labour Tomos Davies 3,944 9.5 –8.2
Monster Raving Loony Lady Lily the Pink 345 0.8 N/A
Christian Jeff Green 245 0.6 N/A
Majority 7,131 17.2
Turnout 41,319 74.5 +14.8
Registered electors 55,490
Conservative gain from Liberal Democrats Swing +5.6
2019 Brecon and Radnorshire by-election[44][45]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrats Jane Dodds 13,826 43.5 +14.4
Conservative Christopher Davies 12,401 39.0 –9.6
Brexit Party Des Parkinson 3,331 10.5 N/A
Labour Tom Davies 1,680 5.3 –12.4
Monster Raving Loony Lady Lily the Pink 334 1.1 N/A
UKIP Liz Phillips 242 0.8 –0.6
Majority 1,425 4.5
Turnout 31,814 59.7
Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative Swing +12.0

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Mosalski, Ruth (10 December 2019). "The General Election 2019 candidates standing in Brecon and Radnorshire". Wales Online. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
  2. ^ Dodds, Jane (18 November 2019). "Is Europe the issue that brings radicalism back to Welsh Liberalism?". Institute of Welsh Affairs.
  3. ^ "Richmond Council Election Results" (PDF). LB Richmond. 4 May 2006. Retrieved 8 November 2017.
  4. ^ "This Is Local London". 25 May 2008. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
  5. ^ "Police Investigate Fake Election Leaflets". HuffPost UK. 12 May 2012. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  6. ^ Pickover, Ella (12 May 2012). "Claims of election fraud investigated by police". The Independent. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
  7. ^ Madden, Sophie (3 November 2017). "Montgomeryshire candidate Jane Dodds is elected as new Welsh Lib Dem leader". Shropshire Star. Retrieved 4 March 2021.
  8. ^ "Jane Dodds selected to fight Brecon and Radnorshire". Welsh Liberal Democrats. 9 March 2019. Retrieved 10 June 2019.
  9. ^ "Boris Johnson Claims Too Many Areas In The UK Where English Is Not The First Language". HuffPost UK. 5 July 2019. Retrieved 2 August 2019.
  10. ^ "By-election loss for Tories cuts Commons majority". BBC News. 2 August 2019. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
  11. ^ "Jane Dodds' time as MP one of the shortest ever - but not quite a Welsh record". ITV News. 13 December 2019. Retrieved 22 December 2019.
  12. ^ "Women's political records in the United Kingdom". Belfast: Centre for Advancement of Women in Politics. Retrieved 22 December 2019.
  13. ^ Dodds, Jane (4 March 2021). "'A strong Wales as part of the United Kingdom and European Union'". The National Wales. Retrieved 4 March 2021.
  14. ^ "Liberal Democrats nearly wiped out in Wales after losing only constituency seat to Conservatives". ITV News. 8 May 2021. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
  15. ^ Hayward, Will (8 May 2021). "Seven statistics that tell the story of Senedd Election 2021". WalesOnline. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  16. ^ "Worrying local ambulance response times revealed". mynewtown. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  17. ^ "Senedd member responds to ambulance waiting times". Western Telegraph. 21 January 2022. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  18. ^ "Wales Needs an Emergency Social Care Plan". www.libdems.wales. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  19. ^ "Liberal Democrats Pledge Support the RCN Campaign on Safe Nursing Levels | West Wales Chronicle : News for Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion, Swansea and Beyond". www.westwaleschronicle.co.uk. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  20. ^ "Nurse Staffing Levels (Wales) Act 2016". business.senedd.wales. 1 December 2014. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  21. ^ "Jane Dodds warns of "two-tier" dentistry system in mid Wales". Brecon & Radnor Express. 19 November 2022. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  22. ^ ""NHS dental service has all but collapsed" in parts of Wales says Jane Dodds". Abergavenny Chronicle. 21 June 2023. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  23. ^ "Welsh Lib Dems launch plan to save NHS dentistry in Wales". Nation.Cymru. 28 March 2023. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  24. ^ "New Bill proposed to protect farmers". Wales Farmer. 3 December 2021. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  25. ^ "Lib Dems and TFA secure key amends to Welsh Agriculture Bill". Farmers Weekly. 16 May 2023. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  26. ^ "Aberpergwm: Coal mine expansion facing legal challenge". BBC News. 1 July 2022. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  27. ^ "Call for Wales to become 'Green Battery of Europe' in bid to reduce dependence on Russian fossil fuels". Nation.Cymru. 14 March 2022. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  28. ^ "Welsh Government blasted for 'allowing bus services to fail'". Nation.Cymru. 13 June 2023. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  29. ^ Barry, Sion (19 January 2022). "Make all public transport in Wales free for under 25s say Liberal Democrats". Business Live. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  30. ^ "Call for Wales to follow Spain on free rail journeys over cost of living crisis". South Wales Guardian. 5 August 2022. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  31. ^ "Re-opening of Aber-Carmarthen rail link 'would keep young people in Ceredigion'". Tivyside Advertiser. 1 December 2022. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  32. ^ "Mid Wales 'being forgotten' as wait for hourly rail service continues". County Times. 23 November 2022. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  33. ^ Dodds, Jane (11 June 2020). "Status quo or independence aren't the only options for Wales – a federal UK is possible".
  34. ^ "Women in Wales deserve so much better than England's criminal justice system - it must be devolved". Nation.Cymru. 15 March 2021. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  35. ^ Jones, Gwynoro (10 May 2022). "Labour-Plaid Cymru voting reforms fall short of creating a strong Democracy for Wales says Jane Dodds". Wales News Online. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  36. ^ ITV News Wales, ITV News Wales (12 November 2019). "Liberal Democrats launch 'five-point plan' to stop Brexit, tackle climate change and treat mental health".
  37. ^ "Tory 'botched Brexit deal' contributing to cost-of-living crisis, say Welsh Lib-Dems". Nation.Cymru. 22 November 2022. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  38. ^ Furet, Marine (18 November 2019). "Is Europe the issue that brings radicalism back to Welsh Liberalism?". Institute of Welsh Affairs. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  39. ^ Morris, Steven (4 January 2023). "Welsh first minister criticised for 'lavish' World Cup hotel stay paid by Qatar". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  40. ^ "Liberal Democrats call on Welsh Government to close Qatar office over human rights concerns". Nation.Cymru. 30 September 2022. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  41. ^ "Jane Dodds - Wales Will Continue to Stand With Ukrainians". www.southwark-libdems.org.uk. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  42. ^ "MS calls for Wales to stand in solidarity with Ukraine as Russia continues invasion". Tenby Observer. 24 February 2022. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  43. ^ "Statement of Persons Nominated" (PDF). Powys County Council. 14 November 2019. Archived (PDF) from the original on 14 November 2019. Retrieved 14 November 2019.
  44. ^ "Brecon and Radnorshire by-election: Six candidates confirmed". talkradio.co.uk. 5 July 2019. Retrieved 2 August 2019.
  45. ^ "As it happened: Lib Dems win by-election". BBC News. 1 August 2019. Retrieved 2 August 2019.

External links[edit]

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Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by Member of Parliament
for Brecon and Radnorshire
August–November 2019 		Succeeded by
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