| Election Name: | 2017 Welsh Liberal Democrats leadership election |
| Country: | Wales |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Year: | 2016 |
| Next Year: | Next |
| Election Date: | 25 September – 28 October 2017 |
| 1Blank: | First round |
| 2Blank: | Percentage |
| 4Blank: | Percentage |
| Candidate1: | Jane Dodds |
| Colour1: | ffb818 |
| 1Data1: | 587 |
| 2Data1: | 56.5% |
| Candidate2: | Elizabeth Evans |
| Colour2: | ffb818 |
| 1Data2: | 519 |
| 2Data2: | 43.5% |
| Leader | |
| Before Election: | Kirsty Williams |
| After Election: | Jane Dodds |
The Welsh Liberal Democrats leadership election took place during the autumn of 2017 and was won by Jane Dodds, who defeated Ceredigion Councillor Elizabeth Evans in a closely fought contest.[1] [2]
Following the 2017 general election the party's leader, and only MP, Mark Williams lost his Ceredigion seat by 104 votes. Because of this he stood down as leader later that day.
His predecessor as leader, Kirsty Williams, took over as interim leader, but announced she wouldn't be a candidate in the forthcoming leadership election.[3]
Jane Dodds was declared the winner with 56.5% of the vote on 3 November 2017.[4]
| Candidate | Born | Electoral History | Endorsements | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jane Dodds | Contested Montgomeryshire in the 2015 and 2017 general elections and Montgomeryshire in the 2016 National Assembly for Wales election.Richmond upon Thames Councillor for North Richmond 2006[5] to 2010.[6] | Jenny Randerson, Baroness Randerson, Joan Walmsley, Baroness Walmsley, Martin Thomas, Baron Thomas of Gresford | ||
| Elizabeth Evans | Contested Ceredigion in the 2011 and 2016 National Assembly for Wales Elections.Ceredigion Councillor for Aberaeron since 2008.[7] | Peter Black,[8] Mark Williams[9] |
Close of ballots was 5PM on 30 October 2017.[2]
| Candidate | Votes | % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Turnout: 35.2% | ||||
| Jane Dodds | 587 | 56.5 | ||
| Elizabeth Evans | 519 | 43.5 | ||
| Total | 1,106 | |||