Plaid Cymru Ends Labour’s Decades-Long Dominance in Wales Elections

LONDON: Wales witnessed a historic political shift as nationalist party Plaid Cymru emerged victorious in the latest Welsh elections, ending Labour’s control of Welsh politics for the first time since devolution began in 1999.

According to final results reported Friday, Plaid Cymru secured 43 out of 96 seats in the Welsh Parliament, falling just short of an outright majority. Anti-immigration party Reform UK made major gains by winning 34 seats, while Labour suffered a dramatic collapse, managing to secure only nine seats.

The outcome marks a major setback for Britain’s ruling Labour Party, which has traditionally dominated Welsh politics for more than a century.

Welsh Labour leader Eluned Morgan lost her own seat in the election and announced her resignation soon after the results were confirmed. Her defeat makes her the first serving head of government in the United Kingdom to lose a seat while in office.

“Welsh Labour has suffered a devastating result today,” Morgan admitted after the vote count ended.

She said the party now faces a serious political crisis and must reflect deeply on the reasons behind the historic defeat.

“It brings to an end over a century of Labour victories in Wales, and we must understand the scale of the challenge before us,” she said.

Morgan also suggested that Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the Labour leadership in London must reconsider their political strategy after disappointing performances in recent elections across England and Scotland as well.

Meanwhile, Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth described the result as a clear message from Welsh voters demanding political change.

“The people of Wales have voted for new leadership,” he declared during his victory speech.

He added that Plaid Cymru was prepared to begin discussions aimed at forming the next Welsh government.

The Welsh Parliament was established in 1999 after former Prime Minister Tony Blair’s Labour government transferred certain powers from London to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The devolved administrations oversee areas such as healthcare, transport and social policy, while the UK government continues to manage nationwide matters, including defence and foreign affairs.

Political analysts say the latest result reflects growing dissatisfaction with Labour’s leadership and signals a major transformation in the Welsh political landscape.