Williams joined the
Labour Party in 1969, but left to join the
SDP at the formation of the party in 1981, representing it and subsequently the Liberal Democrats on
Powys County Council. In 1990, he was elected Chairman of
Brecon Beacons National Park. At the
1999 Welsh Assembly election Williams contested
Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire but finished a distant fifth. He stood down from Powys Council in 2001. In 2001, he was elected to represent the constituency of
Brecon & Radnorshire, subsequently holding the seat with a majority of 751 following the retirement of fellow Liberal Democrat
Richard Livsey. At the
2005 election, Williams was returned with an improved majority of 3,905. He served as Shadow Welsh Secretary in the
Liberal Democrat Frontbench Team in the 2005-10 Parliament and was re-elected at the
2010 election with a majority of 3,747, however he was defeated for re-election in 2015. Williams was appointed
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the
2013 New Years Honours List for public and political service. In 2017, he rejoined
Powys County Council, winning the seat of Felin-fach, serving until 2022. ==Personal life==