Plaid Cymru is on course to declare victory in the Welsh Senedd elections, marking a historic shift in Welsh politics. With 14 of 16 constituencies declared, the center-left Welsh nationalist party appeared poised to win enough support to lead Wales, replacing Welsh Labour which has won every election for over a century.
Key Takeaways
Plaid Cymru leads in Welsh Senedd elections, poised to end Labour's century-long dominance. Rhun ap Iorwerth, Plaid Cymru leader and former BBC journalist, is set to become Wales' first nationalist First Minister. The party's victory marks a significant shift in Welsh politics.
According to multiple reports, Plaid Cymru's victory would end nearly 30 years of Labour dominance in devolved politics and block the momentum of Nigel Farage’s Reform UK. The party's leader, Rhun ap Iorwerth, expressed his commitment to serving all citizens of Wales during a speech after securing his seat.
The political scientist John Curtice had forecasted Plaid Cymru would be the largest party in the Senedd with a projected 41 to 46 seats. Under Wales’s new, more representative electoral system, at least 49 seats are needed for a majority, which no party is likely to win.
Labour's Eluned Morgan conceded defeat and announced she would step down as party leader after losing her seat in Ceredigion Penfro. She described the result as 'catastrophic' and called it the end of over a century of Labour winning in Wales. The Green Party, Liberal Democrats, and Conservatives also won seats but are expected to form smaller groups.
Rhun ap Iorwerth's journey to leadership has been marked by significant challenges and personal motivations. Born into a family deeply involved in Welsh culture and politics, his mother's passing inspired him to enter public service. After a successful career as a journalist with BBC Wales, he entered politics, winning the Ynys Môn by-election in 2013.
Ap Iorwerth took over the leadership of Plaid Cymru amidst internal turmoil following a scathing report on misogyny and bullying within the party. His campaign focused on positioning Labour as failing Wales and lacking ambition, while advocating for renewal and presenting Plaid Cymru as a credible alternative. His strategic messaging, including the call to vote Plaid to stop Reform UK, resonated with voters, particularly pulling in Labour supporters.
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