Historic upset as Plaid Cymru takes Caerphilly from Labour

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

Plaid Cymru has secured victory in the Caerphilly Welsh Parliament by-election, defeating Reform UK in a closely contested battle. The defending party Labour suffered a significant setback, finishing in third place despite holding the seat since the Senedd's establishment.

Plaid emerged triumphant with a commanding majority of 3,848 votes and achieved a substantial swing of almost 27% from Labour. The result represents a major breakthrough for the Welsh nationalist party in their campaign efforts.

Reform UK setback

Nigel Farage's Reform UK had invested heavily in the campaign, pledging to "throw everything" at securing what would have been the party's first ballot box victory. The defeat marks a significant disappointment for Reform UK's ambitions to establish a foothold in Welsh politics.

The outcome delivers a bitter blow to Labour, which had maintained control of the Caerphilly constituency since the Welsh Parliament was first established in 1999. This historic loss undermines Labour's traditional stronghold in the region.

Political implications

The victory will significantly embolden Plaid Cymru as they prepare for their efforts to enter government in Wales next year. The substantial swing suggests shifting voter sentiment that could reshape Welsh political dynamics in upcoming elections.

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