Plaid crushes Labour in Caerphilly shock victory

Plaid Cymru’s Lindsay Whittle won the Caerphilly Senedd by-election (Andrew Matthew/PA Wire) Andrew Matthews

Plaid Cymru has secured a commanding victory in the Caerphilly Welsh Parliament by-election, defeating Reform UK with a majority of 3,848 votes. The result represents a massive swing of almost 27% from Labour and delivers a significant blow to Nigel Farage's Reform UK, which had pledged to "throw everything" at the campaign.

Lindsay Whittle captured 15,961 votes for Plaid Cymru, securing more than 47% of the total vote share on a turnout exceeding 50%. This represents an increase of almost 19% from the party's 2021 performance in the constituency.

Labour, which had controlled the constituency since the Senedd's establishment in 1999, suffered a devastating third-place finish. Richard Tunnicliffe managed only 3,713 votes, representing a catastrophic decline from 13,289 votes in 2021.

Reform surge fails to deliver victory

Reform UK candidate Llyr Powell received 12,113 votes, a dramatic surge from the party's mere 495 votes four years earlier. Conservative candidate Gareth Potter secured just 690 votes, whilst the Greens obtained 516 votes and the Liberal Democrats received 497.

The results demonstrate a significant political realignment within this traditional Labour stronghold. Recent polling has forecast Plaid Cymru and Reform UK as the two biggest parties in Wales for next year's elections.

Plaid leadership celebrates transformation

Rhun ap Iorwerth, leader of Plaid Cymru, declared the victory a clear mandate from voters. "Tonight, the people of Caerphilly have spoken loud and clear," he said. "They've chosen hope over division, and progress over the tired status quo, and backed Plaid Cymru's positive, pro-Wales vision."

Lindsay Whittle expressed his deep commitment to the constituency whilst delivering a pointed message to Westminster. In his victory speech, he paid tribute to Hefin Wyn David, who had served as Member of the Senedd for Caerphilly since 2016 and died in August. "I've spent my whole life fighting for this community, and I won't stop now," he said.

Whittle positioned the result as a message to the UK Government about Wales' aspirations. "Listen Westminster, this is Caerphilly, and Wales, telling you we want a better deal," he declared. "We are at the dawn of new leadership, we are at the dawn of a new beginning and I look forward to playing my part for a new Wales."

Reform remains confident despite defeat

Despite finishing second, Llyr Powell expressed confidence about his party's future prospects in Wales. Powell claimed Reform was "the one party surging in Caerphilly" and predicted his party would form a government in Wales in 2026.

"I think, next May, we're going to form a Reform government, so I'm looking forward to that," Powell said. He attributed the increased turnout to voters having "a party they believe in" and outlined plans to register more voters across Wales.

Labour acknowledges difficult defeat

First Minister Eluned Morgan acknowledged the challenging circumstances surrounding the by-election result. "This was a by-election in the toughest of circumstances, and in the midst of difficult headwinds nationally," she said.

Morgan admitted Labour bore responsibility for voter frustration in the constituency. "Welsh Labour has heard the frustration on doorsteps in Caerphilly that the need to feel change in people's lives has not been quick enough," she stated. The loss creates immediate challenges for the Welsh Government's upcoming budget vote, which has been a source of considerable anxiety for the Labour administration.

Sources used: "PA Media" Note: This article has been created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).