News

Plaid Cymru’s historic by-election win shakes Welsh Politics

Published

5 months ago

October 24, 2025

Reform surge and Labour collapse signal a two-horse race ahead of 2026 Senedd election

PLAID CYMRU has hailed its sensational victory in the Caerphilly by-election as a “historic moment for Wales” — one that reshapes the nation’s political map and leaves both Labour and Reform UK nursing deep wounds.

The Welsh nationalist party, led by Rhun ap Iorwerth, seized the Senedd seat from Labour in what had long been one of its safest constituencies. Candidate Lindsay Whittle stormed to victory with 15,961 votes, fending off a fierce challenge from Reform UK’s Llŷr Powell, who polled 12,113.

Labour’s candidate Richard Tunnicliffe suffered a crushing defeat, taking only 3,713 votes — a collapse that has rocked the party’s century-long dominance in South Wales.

***Lindsay Whittle at the count early on Friday morning***

“Hope over division and progress over the tired status quo”

In a jubilant speech at the count, Plaid leader Rhun ap Iorwerth said the result proved that “the people of Caerphilly have chosen hope over division and progress over the tired status quo.”

He added: “We are now the real choice for Wales — the only party able to stop billionaire-backed Reform and offer a better future that works for everyone. Wales is ready for new leadership.”

Party officials described the win as a “seismic shift”, claiming it signals the emergence of a new two-party contest between Plaid Cymru and Reform UK in Wales.

***Rhun ap Iorwerth speaks to journalists at the count***

Reform vows to fight on

Reform UK’s Llŷr Powell congratulated Plaid but insisted the party had achieved its goal of building a lasting grassroots presence.
“A big part of what we were trying to do here was to master our campaigning,” he said. “We’ve trained so many people up on our systems. We’re now a grassroots campaigning party.”

The result confirms Reform’s growing foothold in post-industrial South Wales, where concerns about immigration and living costs have driven sharp political realignments.

Labour’s red wall crumbles

For Labour, the by-election marks a devastating reversal. Once unassailable in Caerphilly, the party now faces what insiders privately call “the beginning of a meltdown.”

Labour’s Senedd member for Blaenau Gwent, Alun Davies, criticised his Westminster colleagues for “using the language of Reform” when discussing refugees and immigration.

Meanwhile, UK Cabinet Office minister Nick Thomas-Symonds defended the party’s stance, saying: “With regard to small boat crossings and securing our borders, that’s because people are telling us it’s a huge priority.”

Polling expert Sir John Curtice told broadcasters that Plaid is now “well-placed to lead the next Welsh government,” but cautioned that the result did not mean “Nigel Farage’s bubble is burst.”

“We are listening, we are learning”

Wales’s First Minister and Welsh Labour leader Eluned Morgan struck a contrite tone, admitting her party had failed to deliver change quickly enough.

“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,” she said. “We are listening, we are learning the lessons, and we will come back stronger.”

At the count, Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies compared the party’s situation to reports of Mark Twain’s death: “Rumours about death are greatly exaggerated,” he said. “We’ve bounced back before, and we will again — focusing on cost of living, jobs, and opportunities for young people.”

He also urged Plaid to work with Labour on passing its upcoming budget, warning that gridlock could hurt public services across Wales.

Immigration row dominates campaign

Although migration is not a devolved issue — and only around 3% of Caerphilly’s population were born outside the UK — Reform UK’s campaign made immigration its central message, accusing Labour and Plaid of supporting a “mass immigration agenda.”

Plaid’s clear pro-unity message, contrasting hope against hostility, was credited for cutting through. As one local voter put it: “Plaid talked about us, not about who to blame.”

Remembering Hefin David

In his victory speech, Lindsay Whittle paid tribute to Hefin David, the former Labour MS whose sudden death triggered the by-election.
“He will be a hard act to follow. I will never fill his shoes, but I promise I will walk the same path that he did,” Whittle said, drawing warm applause from both sides of the hall.

What the result means

Labour, which governs Wales with 29 of the 60 Senedd seats, now faces the risk of losing its working majority ahead of the 2026 election — and with it, control over key budgets. Political observers warn that Wales could be entering a new era of instability, where Plaid and Reform compete for disillusioned voters while Labour fights to redefine itself.

As one commentator noted: “Caerphilly has become a warning shot for Labour and a rallying cry for Plaid. What happens next could redefine Welsh politics for a generation.”

Photo caption:

Triumphant moment: Plaid Cymru’s Lindsay Whittle celebrates victory in Caerphilly as Labour’s century-long dominance crumbles (Pic: Matthew Horwood/Herald).

News

Motorcyclist injured in Johnston crash after overtaking lorry

Published

10 hours ago

March 16, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Rider treated by paramedics following collision with van pulling out from junction

A MOTORCYCLIST was treated by paramedics after a collision with a van in Johnston on Monday morning (Mar 16).

The crash happened shortly after 9.15am as the rider was overtaking a lorry through slow-moving traffic on the main road. It is understood the lorry blocked the rider’s view of a van pulling out from a junction near KO Carpets.

Police units attended promptly to assist at the scene.

The motorcyclist is not believed to have been seriously injured.

The van suffered slight damage, including a broken wing mirror.

The road was not closed, police said.

Health

Plaid Cymru to hold public meeting over Withybush hospital surgery cuts

Published

12 hours ago

March 16, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Candidates say residents must be heard after emergency services decision

PLAID CYMRU candidates for the Ceredigion Penfro constituency will host a public meeting in Pembrokeshire to discuss concerns over the future of services at Withybush Hospital.

The event will take place at 6:30pm on Monday (Mar 31) at Letterston Village Hall, giving residents the opportunity to share their experiences and concerns following Hywel Dda University Health Board’s decision last month to remove emergency general surgery from the hospital.

Campaigners say the move will force many patients requiring urgent treatment to travel further for care, raising fears about the potential impact on patient safety in rural west Wales.

Elin Jones, Plaid Cymru lead candidate for Ceredigion Penfro, said: “Withybush is such an important hospital for the community and residents of Pembrokeshire. The decision to remove its emergency general surgery will severely weaken the life-saving capacity of this hospital.

“Plaid Cymru has long championed small rural hospitals such as Bronglais and Withybush. We need to ensure these hospitals remain strong local services within our communities. Withybush should have the basic life-saving and everyday treatment services it needs to function as a full general hospital.”

Kerry Ferguson, Plaid Cymru candidate for Pembrokeshire within the Ceredigion Penfro constituency, said the recent success of a public petition had demonstrated the strength of local feeling.

“It’s great to see that the online petition calling for Welsh Government intervention to restore emergency surgery and essential services at Withybush has reached its target, meaning it will now be debated in the Senedd,” she said.

“We are extremely disappointed by the Health Board’s decision to remove emergency general surgery at Withybush. Increased journey times for anyone in need of urgent medical treatment will put lives at risk. We need government intervention now to overturn this decision.”

Residents across Pembrokeshire have continued to raise concerns about the future of services at the hospital, which has long been a focal point in debates about healthcare provision in rural west Wales.

Climate

Research vessel begins mission to study seabed carbon in Irish Sea

Published

12 hours ago

March 16, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Bangor University scientists join £2.1m project investigating the impact of bottom trawling on carbon stored beneath the seabed

A STATE OF THE ART research vessel has set sail from Liverpool to investigate how bottom trawling may affect carbon stored in the seabed of the Irish Sea.

The scientific expedition is part of a £2.1 million research project funded by the Natural Environment Research Council and led by Professor Jan Geert Hiddink of Bangor University.

A team of eighteen scientists has embarked on the RRS Discovery, one of the world’s most advanced research vessels, for a three-and-a-half-week voyage studying the impact of fishing activity on carbon held in seabed sediments.

Before the ship departed, a number of local dignitaries were invited aboard for a tour of the vessel, including Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram and National Oceanography Centre Operations Director Natalie Campbell.

Professor Jan Geert Hiddink, from Bangor University’s School of Ocean Sciences, said bottom-trawl fishing is both vital to global food supply and a major disturbance to seabed environments.

“Bottom-trawl fishing provides around a quarter of global seafood but is also the most extensive physical disturbance caused by human activities to stocks of carbon locked in seabed sediments,” he said.

“This is important because recent evidence suggests that disturbing the seabed could lead to the release of significant amounts of greenhouse gases from the seabed into the atmosphere.

“There are still major uncertainties about how this disturbance affects carbon stored beneath the seabed. As a result, the impact of these disturbances is largely unquantified and currently unregulated.

“The aim of this project is to gain a much clearer understanding of what is happening so that scientists, policymakers and regulators can make informed decisions in the future.”

Seven research organisations are collaborating on the project: Bangor University, the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS), Heriot-Watt University, the University of Leeds, Plymouth Marine Laboratory, the University of St Andrews, and Imperial College London.

Caption: Scientists prepare to begin their research aboard the RRS Discovery, one of the world’s most advanced research vessels.