The independentists take away a key seat that they held a century ago

This victor consolidates Plaid Cymru’s position as the main emerging political force in the country.

The training he leads Rhun ap Iorwerth, who wants Wales to be independentsnatched the Welsh constituency seat of Caerphilly to the Labor Party and withstood fierce challenge from Reform UK by Nigel Farage.

In a very close election, in which the polls even anticipated a victory for the right-wing populist Reform UK, Plaid Cymru won the seat in Caerphilly, which had been left vacant after the death of Labor member Hefin David in August.

Plaid Cymru took over Caerphilly by winning the 47% of the vote, while Reform came in second place with 36% and Labor suffered a severe setback, achieving third place with 11%. The Conservative Party achieved a residual 2%.

New era in Wales?

This result supposes an impulse for Welsh Plaid in its efforts to enter the Welsh Home Rule Government next year and is a major blow to Labour, which had held the seat since the creation of the Senedd (Welsh Assembly) in 1999.

The winning candidateLindsay Whittle, received a total of 15,961 votes (47%), in an election with a participation of 50.41%. The Labor vote collapsed in what had been a bastion, with its candidate, Richard Tunnicliffe, getting only 3,713 votes.

Rhun ap Iorwerthleader of the Plaid Cymru party, said: “Tonight, the people of Caerphilly have spoken loud and clear. They have chosen hope over division and have supported the positive, pro-Wales vision of Plaid Cymru.”

Besides, He said the result meant his party is in a good position to take control of the Welsh Government in next year’s Senedd elections.

“There is deep disillusionment with the Labor Party, both in the UK and the Welsh Government, which is why people are looking for new leadership. A Plaid Cymru victory is the clearest evidence yet of who is in charge to lead the Government next year. “I don’t think the Reform Party has shown any special interest in Wales, what they want is to get Nigel Farage into Downing Street,” said Ap Iorwerth

For his part, in his victory speech, winner Lindsay Whittle sent a clear message: “Listen, Cardiff, and listen, Westminster. This is Caerphilly. And we say we want a better deal. “Wales is at the dawn of new leadership, a new beginning.”

Hard setback to Labor

The Labor Party has dominated Wales for a century, but the party, which runs the Welsh Government, now has 29 of the 60 seats in the Senedd -Parliament- and this result makes it more difficult to approve its 2026-27 Budget, which could leave the people of Wales suffering cuts to public services.

What happened in Caerphilly also represents a serious blow to British Labor Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who is trying to fight the advance of the Reform Party throughout Britain.

Welsh Prime Minister, Labor Eluned Morgan, declared that this has been “a by-election in the most difficult circumstances” and admitted that “the Welsh Labor Party has heard the frustration on the gates of Caerphilly because the need for change in people’s lives has not been quick enough. We assume our share of responsibility for this result.”