Ceredigion's Welsh Lib Dems have welcomed the result from this year's European results in Ceredigion and a 5.3% swing to them from Plaid Cymru from the last European elections in 2004.

Plaid Cymru's vote fell to a 20 year low and by 4% and over 4,000 votes to 6,726 in Ceredigion in last Thursday's election from a European high water mark of 10,821 in 1999 (13,680 in 1994 on altered boundaries). The Welsh Lib Dems in Ceredigion in contrast increased their vote share by 7%, moved ahead of Labour and the Conservatives from 4th up to 2nd compared to the 2004 results and were the only one of the main four parties in Wales to increase their actual vote from that election.

Commenting, Ceredigion Campaign Chair Michael Woods said: "We are very pleased with this result in Ceredigion. Since the same election last time around, the Welsh Liberal Democrats have substanitally increased our share of the vote and increased the actual vote itself whilst Plaid Cymru, the Conservatives and Labour have gone backwards.

"Whilst Labour, UKIP and the Conservatives fell back on their 2004 result locally, its Plaid Cymru who have fallen back most spectacularly. Since 2004 and also their high water-mark in 1999, Plaid have lost over 4,000 votes whilst the Welsh Liberal Democrats have gained votes on a very good 5.3% swing from them. To compound matters, Plaid's result is their worst result in a Ceredigion-wide election since 1987 and 1989.

"Ceredgion's Liberal Democrats by contrast have made steady progress by more than doubling its European vote since 1999.

"The European elections are always the toughest for the Liberal Democrats to fight as we always fight it on a positve, pro-European platform. We know as a result of this from what many residents from across the county were telling us on the doorstep, that many decided to vote for other parties this time on a matter of European policy but would be backing Mark Williams in the up-coming General Election on a matter of personality. They know that Mark fights for their communities, is hard-working all year round and is un-tainted by the expenses scandal that has crippled the political system in recent weeks.

"We look forward to the the next election with increased momentum, a renewed confidence, and optimism after this very encouraging result".

Ceredigion's MP Mark Williams added: "I'm very pleased to see more positive signs of growth for the Welsh Liberal Democrats here in Ceredigion. Even in an European vote we have seen a sustained improvement whilst Plaid Cymru have have lost 40% of their vote in just one 5 year electoral cycle".

"I'm very pleased to see that the national trend in favour of the Conservatives and UKIP was not evident in Ceredigion. The Conservatives lost 800 votes from 2004 whilst UKIP lost 900. Labour on the other hand did follow the national trend and saw their vote halve as they lost nearly 2,500 votes and fell to 6th overall - as sure a sign as any that people are fed-up of being led by a Government that has run out of ideas and run out of steam".

"A worrying trend however is the turnout figure of just 34% and the fact that the BNP polled over 500 votes. It may pale into comparison compared to their votes in northern England, but it nevertheless shows that all mainstream parties have work to do to ensure that the BNPs bigoted and racist messages are uncovered and that the poor living standards that breeds resentment amongst many of those who switch their allegiance to the extreme right is tackled".