The winning member of the Senedd for Vale of Clwyd and full results

Gareth Davies (Welsh Conservative) took the victory with 10,792 votes. There were 366 votes between Conservatives and Labour following a recount.

The seat has been held by Labour's Ann Jones since 1999. Mrs Jones said earlier this year that she would not be seeking re-election.

Jason Mclellan was the Labour candidate for the Vale of Clwyd. He achieved 10,426 votes. 

The Journal were fortunate to secure the first interview with Mr Davies as newly elected member of the Senedd.

Asked what the win meant to him, Mr Davies said: "It means everything you know. I was selected in December 2018 and I wanted to run for my constituency which is my home. And I'm pleased I have been given the opportunity and I thank the people of the Vale of Clwyd for putting their trust in me at the election." 

Mr Davies described the hours, leading up to the declaration, as "a bit of a rollercoaster".

"There wasn't much of a margin in it and it has always been close here historically," he said. 

"I'm glad we got the result in the end."

It is a big change for the Vale of Clwyd to turn 'blue' in terms of a Senedd Election.

In the General Election in 2019, Conservative Dr Davies won back the Vale of Clwyd seat from Labour’s Chris Ruane. He secured 17,270 votes to Mr Ruane’s 15,443.

Giving his reaction to the Conservtive gain, Mr Davies said: "We have had Labour in office in the Vale of Clwyd for 22 years and this is the first time the Vale of Clwyd have won the seat. Things will no doubt change. It is a new person, a new voice and hopefully some fresh ideas and we will see what five years bring."

Mr Davies said it had not been a conventional campaign. 

"We have had limited chances to speak to residents," he said. 

"We haven't been able to knock doors as much and speak to as many people so it has been a bit more indirect but I've been trying my best to get out there as much as I can and speak to as many people as I can, that is always what I want to do.

"It is about people and people engaging with their politicians so I'm glad I have a chance to do that but it has been a difficult time we have been facing.

"We always knew we had a chance. We have got an MP here and the campaign has been very positive.

"It is very nice [to win] and I'm just looking forward to getting to work now and doing what I'm elected to do."

The candidates take to the stage at Denbigh Leisure Centre as the result is announced. Picture: Suzanne Kendrick

The results in full for the Vale of Clwyd were:

Peter Dain (Reform UK): 552 

Gareth Davies (Welsh Conservative): 10,792 

Lisa Davies (Welsh Liberal Democrats): 782 

Jason Mclellan (Welsh Labour): 10,426 

Glenn Swingler (Plaid Cymru): 2972 

David Thomas (Independent): 529

Mr Mclellan paid tribute to Mrs Jones in his speech. 

He added: "I want to thank the people of the Vale of Clwyd. It has been a difficult election. Very very hard times that we have had the last 12 months.

"Thousands of people engaged with me on the doorstep and by phone and we fought a good campaign and I would like to say thanks again to the Vale of Clwyd."

Turn out in the Vale of Clwyd was 46.3 per cent.

Total number of ballot papers issued at polling stations: 17,457.

Total number of postal ballot papers included in the count: 8765.

Total verification figure: 26,222.

Electorate: 56,622.