CROWDS gathered outside the Senedd as Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth arrived in Cardiff Bay following his party’s historic victory in the Welsh election.

Supporters waving Welsh flags and Plaid banners cheered as ap Iorwerth made his way through crowds of activists, journalists and newly elected Members of the Senedd, in scenes unlike anything seen in modern Welsh devolved politics.

The election result marks a political earthquake in Wales, with Plaid Cymru emerging as the largest party in the Senedd for the first time since devolution began in 1999.

Ap Iorwerth was greeted by supporters, posed for photographs and embraced well-wishers as he arrived at the waterfront venue before addressing media gathered outside.

The atmosphere around Cardiff Bay was jubilant, with many supporters describing the result as a “turning point” for Wales.

Plaid’s breakthrough came after a dramatic night which saw Labour suffer major losses across Wales, while Reform UK also made significant gains under the new expanded Senedd voting system.

In emotional scenes, ap Iorwerth hugged supporters and thanked campaigners who had travelled from across Wales to witness the moment.

One photograph captured the Plaid leader embracing a young supporter as crowds packed the entrance area overlooking Cardiff Bay, while another showed hundreds gathered outside as he addressed the media beneath Welsh flags.

The result leaves Plaid Cymru in pole position as discussions begin over how the next Welsh Government will be formed in a hung Senedd.

Speaking after arriving at the Bay, Plaid figures said voters had delivered a “clear message that Wales wants change.”

The historic scenes are likely to become defining images of a new era in Welsh politics.

WELSH Labour has appointed Ken Skates as its interim leader following the party’s bruising Senedd election result.

The decision was made after meetings of Welsh Labour’s Executive Committee and the newly elected Welsh Labour Group.

Skates, who was first elected to the Senedd in 2011, has held a number of Welsh Government roles, including Transport Secretary and Economy and Infrastructure Secretary.

He was re-elected for Fflint Wrecsam yesterday and received unanimous support from the new Welsh Labour Group.

Speaking after his appointment, Skates said: “Today is just the beginning of a process that will help us to understand what we got wrong. Because we did get it wrong.

“There is no reading of this result that endorses every action we have taken as a party, and our task now is to take the time needed and work out what has happened.

“It is a task that will require every single one of us to take part in — every member, every councillor, every MS, MP, Lord and all roles in between. But it is not a task that is beyond us.”

He added: “Welsh Labour is at its best when we are the champions of the people of Wales. Our role is to serve, and to fight for the issues that matter most.

“We are a party with an incredible history of serving Wales and her people, and we have so much more to give.”

Paying tribute to Eluned Morgan, Skates said: “I would like to thank Eluned for everything she has done over the past two years as our First Minister, and in her 30 years of service to Wales and the Labour Party.

“She broke the glass ceiling, and her role in history as the first woman to lead our party and country is an achievement second to none.”

Skates will serve as interim leader until a timetable is set for a full leadership election in line with Welsh Labour rules.

By Owen Venables

WALES is facing a new political reality after the latest Senedd election produced no overall majority, leaving parties preparing for negotiations that could shape the next Welsh Government.

Plaid Cymru emerged as the largest party following major gains across Wales, while Reform UK recorded a significant breakthrough and Labour suffered its worst Senedd result since devolution began in 1999. However, despite Plaid’s success, the party fell short of the numbers needed to govern alone.

Under the Senedd’s expanded system, 49 seats are required for an outright majority in the 96-seat chamber. No party reached that threshold, meaning Wales has entered a hung Senedd.

This is the first time since devolution that Labour has failed to emerge as the largest party in the Welsh Parliament. The scale of Labour’s losses was further underlined by the defeat of First Minister Eluned Morgan, who lost her own Senedd seat before announcing she would step down as leader of Welsh Labour.

Since the creation of the Senedd in 1999, Labour has either governed alone or led every Welsh administration, sometimes through coalition agreements or cooperation deals with smaller parties.

Attention will now turn to what happens behind closed doors over the coming days.

The most likely immediate step is talks between parties to determine whether a formal coalition government can be formed. Plaid Cymru, as the largest party, will almost certainly have the first opportunity to attempt to form a government, with party leader Rhun ap Iorwerth expected to begin discussions with other parties and independents.

One possible outcome is a coalition agreement involving smaller progressive parties such as the Greens or Liberal Democrats. Another possibility is a confidence-and-supply arrangement, where smaller parties agree to support a government on key votes, such as budgets and confidence motions, without formally entering government themselves.

Labour’s reduced numbers may still leave the party influential despite its heavy losses. In previous Senedd terms, Labour has governed through cooperation agreements, including its 2021 deal with Plaid Cymru. Some political figures may favour cross-party cooperation again in order to provide stability and prevent repeated deadlock votes in the chamber.

Reform UK’s strong performance also changes the political arithmetic significantly. Although the party is unlikely to be part of any governing coalition, its rise means it could become a powerful opposition force within the Senedd. Reform’s gains in former Labour strongholds reflect wider political changes already seen across parts of England, where support for traditional parties has weakened.

If no stable agreement can be reached, the Senedd would continue holding votes to elect a First Minister. Under Welsh parliamentary rules, if no First Minister is successfully appointed within 28 days, another election could potentially be triggered.

The coming days are therefore likely to be dominated by negotiations, compromise and political pressure as parties attempt to determine who can command enough support to govern.

While the election has reshaped Welsh politics, the biggest takeaway is that the era of automatic Labour dominance in Wales has come to an end, and the Senedd is now entering one of the most politically unpredictable periods in its history.