THE Conservatives have caused a shock after toppling Labour in Clwyd South for the first time since the constituency was created in 1997.

Simon Baynes, the former mayor of Llanfyllin in Powys, emerged as the winner with a majority of 1,239 votes over the incumbent Susan Elan Jones on a tense election night.

A YouGov poll published earlier this week put the two candidates practically neck and neck, with three times victor Ms Jones predicted to hold a single point lead.

However, Labour was dealt a massive blow when the result was announced at Glyndwr University in Wrexham as the Tories looked on course to win a large majority in Westminster.

Mr Baynes said he believed voters had been convinced to switch allegiances thanks to his party’s pledge to deliver Brexit in an area which voted by around 60 per cent to leave the EU.

After winning a seat once contested by Boris Johnson, he said: “It is a great honour to have been elected as the next member of parliament for Clwyd South.

“I will do my very best over the next five years to represent everyone in the constituency, regardless of their political affiliation, as vigorously and effectively as possible.

“Many lifelong Labour voters have supported me due to Brexit and I feel privileged to have received this high level of trust and won’t let you down.”

Ms Jones had enjoyed an increased majority over the Conservatives in 2017 when she was more than 4,300 votes ahead of Mr Baynes.

But the Tory candidate came out on top this time round with 16,222, while his Labour opponent polled 14,983, Chris Allen (Plaid Cymru) 2,137, Calum Davies (Lib Dems) 1,496 and Jamie Adams (Brexit Party) 1,468.

The turnout took a large dip for what was the first December general election since 1923, reducing from 69.7 per cent in 2017 to 57.

The two frontrunners clashed over a number of issues at a recent hustings event at Glyndwr University in Wrexham, with Ms Jones claiming the NHS would not be in safe hands if Boris Johnson’s party won.

She was magnanimous in defeat at the end of the night but pledged her party would make a comeback in Clwyd South.

She said: “This is probably the worst result for Labour at a UK level for about 90 years and our party is at its best when it connects with communities.

“One thing is sure from tonight; we cannot go on as we are, and we must be broad based again.

“I’m sure Simon will be a good MP because I think he’s a hardworking, decent chap but mark my words, in five years’ time we’re coming back and Labour’s coming back, but we’ve got to do that properly.”