The Senedd election results have delivered a devastating blow to Welsh Labour, with the party reduced to just nine seats out of 96 in Cardiff Bay. First Minister Eluned Morgan lost her own seat in Ceredigion Penfro and has resigned, as Reform UK and Plaid Cymru made sweeping gains across Wales.
Deep-rooted Discontent
For months, the warning signs were clear. Nearly half a million of Wales's three million population live in deep poverty, while the decline of its industrial base has left large parts of the Welsh Valleys struggling with high deprivation, underperforming education, and low incomes. For over a century, Labour dominated Welsh elections and held the Senedd since its creation in 1999. But voters in key constituencies expressed anger, telling The Independent that nothing had changed in decades. Reform UK and Plaid Cymru emerged as credible alternatives.
Campaign Struggles
Labour campaigners described door-knocking as painful. One candidate, Chris Carter, said: "The first minister led us with energy against difficult headwinds. But there are incumbency penalties for both Welsh and UK Labour." While Morgan did not call for Sir Keir Starmer to resign, she told The Telegraph that the prime minister came up as an issue on the doorstep, adding: "We need the Labour government nationally to change course."
Seismic Shift in Welsh Politics
Plaid Cymru emerged as the largest party, with Rhun ap Iorwerth set to become first minister. Reform UK came a close second, winning about a third of Senedd seats. Welsh Reform UK leader Dan Thomas declared: "Labour are finished after 27 years of failure." In 2021, Reform UK secured just one per cent of the vote; now they will be a major force in shaping Welsh policy.
Morgan took responsibility for the defeat, saying: "It is clear that results across the UK demonstrate deep frustration with Labour. We need to be the party of the working class again." She resigned as Welsh Labour leader, acknowledging that the wealth of the nation must be more evenly distributed.
