The Conservative Party now only have a working majority of one after their by-election defeat in mid-Wales on Thursday (Picture: Getty; PA; Twitter)

There are probably a few red faces at Tory party HQ today after a Brexit threat over Twitter spectacularly backfired.

Boris Johnson’s team tried to warn the electorate in Brecon and Radnorshire that a vote against the Conservative candidate would be a vote against Brexit.

The people of the constituency in mid-Wales spoke and turnout was a record 60%.

However, it seems they voted to block Brexit.


They elected the Remain-supporting Lib Dem candidate in a move that has now left the Tories with a working parliamentary majority of just one.

The Conservatives originally tweeted: ‘Tomorrow’s by-election in Brecon and Radnorshire is a choice between Boris Johnson’s plan to deliver #Brexit by October 31 or the @LibDems who want to block it.



‘A vote for anybody other than Chris Davies is a vote to block Brexit.’

Tomorrow’s by-election in Brecon and Radnorshire is a choice between Boris Johnson’s plan to deliver #Brexit by October 31st, or the @LibDems who want to block it. A vote for anybody other than Chris Davies is a vote to block Brexit. #VoteConservative TOMORROW 👇 pic.twitter.com/Bu8qlZWojG — Vote Conservative (@ToryVote_) July 31, 2019

But Mr Johnson lost the first major test of his leadership when the Lib Dems won by a margin of 1,425, swinging the vote nearly 12% from the Tories.

Twitter users were quick to mock the result, which will see former social worker Jane Dodds take up a seat at Westminster.

Jackie Swearalot quipped: ‘You got your answer then. Just not the one you wanted.’

Victorian House observed: ‘They voted to block Brexit. Proud of Wales.’

Mike Wilson noted: ‘Apparently the people of B&R (Brecon and Radnorshire) want to block Brexit. How about giving the rest of us an opportunity to be heard?’

While Winnie simply stated: ‘Oooopsie.’

Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Jane Dodds (left) and newly-elected Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson (Picture: PA)

Mr Johnson has threatened to pull the UK out of the EU at the end of October without a divorce deal despite warnings it would have a devastating effect on the economy.

Ms Dodds’ victory was secured after Plaid Cymru and the Greens agreed to work together and let the Lib Dems front their joint Remain campaign.

All three parties have called for a People’s Vote to break the parliamentary deadlock on how we leave the EU.

Mr Johnson’s critics have seized on the result as proof the nation does not want a no-deal Brexit.

Newly-elected Lib Dem leader Jo Swinson said: ‘Boris Johnson’s shrinking majority makes it clear that he has no mandate to crash us out of the EU.’

Chris Davies stood to be re-elected after losing his Brecon and Radnorshire constituency following a recall petition (Picture: PA)

Ms Dodds said her first job will be to hunt down Mr Johnson in the halls of Westminster and warn him he is playing with people’s futures.

She said: ‘People are desperately crying out for a different kind of politics. There is no time for tribalism when our country is faced with a Boris Johnson Government and the threat of a no-deal Brexit.

‘So my very first act as your MP when I arrive in Westminster will be to find Mr Boris Johnson wherever he is hiding and tell him loud and clear: “Stop playing with the future of our communities and rule out a no-deal Brexit now”.’

The by-election was called because Mr Davies was ousted as MP in a recall petition after he admitted submitting false invoices for expenses.



He was fined £1,500, ordered to pay £2,500 towards legal costs and told to carry out 50 hours of community service.

Mr Davies stood for re-election and came second with 12,401 votes compared to Ms Dodds’ 13,826.

The Lib Dems secured 43% of the vote, the Tories 39% and the Brexit Party 10%.

Fourth-placed Labour narrowly avoided losing its deposit by securing just over 5% of the share.

New Prime Minister Boris Johnson has threatened to take the UK out of the EU without a Brexit deal (Picture: Getty)

Some Conservative commentators blamed the Brexit Party for splitting the ‘pro-Brexit vote’ – as together their vote share amounted to 49%.

On Friday, the People’s Vote said the issue needed to be put back to the public, arguing the 2016 referendum campaign did not talk about no-deal as a potential scenario.

Plaid Cymru leader Liz Saville-Roberts added it was ‘the only democratic way to solve this Brexit crisis.’