Labour suffered a historic by-election defeat in Wales in the latest blow to Sir Keir Starmer. Plaid Cymru won the fiercely-fought Welsh Parliament by-election in the Caerphilly constituency, with Reform UK coming second and Labour trailing in third.
Sir Keir’s party has held the seat since the Senedd was first established in 1999. But Welsh nationalist party Plaid secured 47% of the votes, while Nigel Farage’s party received 36% and Labour took just 11%.
Polling expert Sir John Curtice said the result of the Caerphilly by-election showed Labour was in “severe trouble” in Wales ahead of next May’s Senedd elections.
He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “It does suggest that Plaid are now well placed to provide Wales with its next first minister.
“Reform will be disappointed at coming second with 36% but I don’t think we should run away with the idea that this, in any way, suggests that Nigel Farage’s bubble is burst.”
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Welsh First Minister Eluned Morgan said the by-election was “in the toughest of circumstances and in the midst of difficult headwinds nationally”.
She added: “Welsh Labour has heard the frustration on doorsteps in Caerphilly that the need to feel change in people’s lives has not been quick enough.
“We take our share of the responsibility for this result. We are listening, we are learning the lessons, and we will be come back stronger.”
Cabinet Office minister Nick Thomas-Symonds insisted Labour will “redouble” its efforts in Wales ahead of May’s ballots.