Plaid Cymru has defeated Reform UK in a fiercely fought Welsh Parliament by-election, with the defending party Labour trailing in third.
Nigel Farage’s party was hoping to win its first seat at the ballot box in the Caerphilly constituency and pledged to ‘throw everything’ at its campaign.
Despite this initiative, Plaid has emerged victorious with a majority of 3,848 votes, and a swing of almost 27% from Labour, on a high turnout of more than 50%.
It is a bitter blow for Labour, which had held the seat since the Senedd was first established in 1999.
Lindsay Whittle received 15,961 votes, more than 47% of the total, while Reform candidate Llyr Powell got 12,113 votes – the party had only 495 four years ago.
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Meanwhile, Labour’s Richard Tunnicliffe trailed on 3,713, down from 13,289 in 2021, when there was a lower turnout.
Conservative candidate Gareth Potter received just 690 votes, with the Greens and Liberal Democrats getting 516 and 497, respectively.
Rhun ap Iorwerth, leader of Plaid Cymru, said: ‘Tonight, the people of Caerphilly have spoken loud and clear. They’ve chosen hope over division, and progress over the tired status quo, and backed Plaid Cymru’s positive, pro-Wales vision.
‘Lindsay Whittle is a tireless local champion who knows every community in this constituency inside out and will deliver real change for the people of Caerphilly.’
He added: ‘We are now the real choice for Wales, the only party able to stop billionaire-backed Reform and offering a better future that works for everyone.’
Whittle said: ‘I’ve spent my whole life fighting for this community, and I won’t stop now. Tonight’s result shows what’s possible when people come together to back practical solutions and protect what matters most.’
In his victory speech, he paid tribute to Hefin Wyn David, who had served as a Member of the Senedd for Caerphilly since 2016, and died in August.
He also added: ‘Listen, Westminster, this is Caerphilly, and Wales, telling you we want a better deal.
‘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, and in particular for the people of the Caerphilly constituency.’
In recent polling, Plaid Cymru and Reform UK were forecast to be the two biggest parties in Wales next year.
While Labour is the largest party, it does not have a majority, and the next budget vote will be even more difficult after losing the Caerphilly seat.
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