Plaid Cymru Wins Welsh Elections

Plaid Cymru has won the Welsh Senedd elections, securing 43 out of 96 seats and ending nearly three decades of Labour dominance. The center-left nationalist party is now poised to form a government in Wales, with its leader Rhun ap Iorwerth officially sworn in as first minister on Tuesday.

The victory marks a historic shift in Welsh politics and blocks the momentum of Nigel Farage’s Reform UK. Ap Iorwerth vowed to form a government composed solely of Plaid Cymru ministers during his speech after securing his seat. Labour, which has dominated every election for over a century, was reduced to nine seats.

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. Reform UK emerged as the largest opposition party with 34 seats, pushing Labour into third place.

Dan Thomas, Reform's Welsh leader appointed just three months ago by Nigel Farage, fell short of becoming Wales' next first minister but now heads a significant opposition group. Ap Iorwerth referenced Plaid Cymru's founding in 1925, calling the win 'a moment 100 years in the making'.

According to Sky News, ap Iorwerth needs to be backed by members of the Senedd to be appointed first minister. Labour's interim Welsh leader, Ken Skates, has indicated it is unlikely to oppose him. Ap Iorwerth expressed his preference for confirmation on Tuesday, stating that any delay 'won't be much' and Plaid was keen to 'hit the ground running'.

Ap Iorwerth said he had spoken to all party leaders except Nigel Farage, who declined to engage with him. He emphasized the importance of cooperation from other parties in forming a government and expressed hope for support across the Senedd. Ap Iorwerth also suggested potential collaboration with nationalist parties in Scotland and Northern Ireland on common policies.

Ken Skates, interim leader of Welsh Labour after Eluned Morgan's resignation, stated that his party would meet to discuss their approach to the vote on the next first minister but ruled out teaming up with Reform UK. He described the relationship with Plaid Cymru as 'mature' and emphasized serving the people of Wales.

Ap Iorwerth has vowed to form a stable minority government in the Senedd and said he would seek mature cooperation from all opposition parties. He aims to press the UK government for extra powers over policy areas such as policing and justice, focusing on results rather than engaging in political rows with Westminster.

The Green party leader in Wales, Anthony Slaughter, has said his party would back ap Iorwerth’s bid to become first minister, and the sole Liberal Democrat, Jane Dodds, indicated she would abstain from the vote. If Labour members also abstain as expected, the path will be clear for ap Iorwerth to become first minister.

Ap Iorwerth outlined priorities including improving the health service, raising standards in education, creating jobs, and rolling out a generous childcare offer. He invited other parties to engage in constructive politics, emphasizing the need for cooperation on detailed changes to his program.