News

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

Published

2 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).

Farming

Basic Payment Scheme 2025 balance paid to 95% of Welsh farmers

Published

8 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Final year of BPS as transition to Sustainable Farming Scheme begins

The WELSH Government says more than ninety-five per cent of farm businesses have now received their full or balance payment under the final year of the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS), ahead of the introduction of the new Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) in 2026.

Announcing the update on Friday (Dec 12), Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies, confirmed that over 15,400 Welsh farm businesses have been paid £68.7m. This comes on top of the £160m issued in BPS advance payments since 14 October.

Final round of BPS payments

The Basic Payment Scheme, which has been the backbone of farm support in Wales for a decade, provides direct income support to help farmers plan and manage their businesses. BPS 2025 marks the last year in which full BPS payments will be made before the scheme begins to be phased out.

The Cabinet Secretary said officials would “continue to process the outstanding BPS 2025 claims as soon as possible,” adding that all but the most complex cases should be completed by 30 June 2026.

Payments issued today represent the main balance due to farmers following earlier advances, giving many businesses the cash flow they need during the quieter winter period—traditionally a challenging time in the agricultural calendar.

Shift to Sustainable Farming Scheme in 2026

From 1 January 2026, the Welsh Government will begin rolling out the Sustainable Farming Scheme, a major reform to how agricultural support is delivered. The SFS will reward farmers for environmental outcomes such as habitat management, carbon reduction and biodiversity improvements, alongside continued food production.

The government has argued that the new scheme is essential to meeting Wales’ climate and nature targets while ensuring long-term resilience in the sector. However, the transition has been closely watched by farming unions, who have raised concerns about the administrative burden, income stability, and the speed at which BPS is being phased out.

Mr Irranca-Davies reaffirmed the government’s stance, saying: “This government is steadfastly committed to supporting Welsh farmers to sustainably produce quality food. This is demonstrated today in our payment of the BPS 2025 balance payments and will continue throughout the transition period.”

Sector reaction

Farming unions are expected to scrutinise the detail of today’s announcement, particularly around remaining unpaid cases. Last year, late payments led to frustration in parts of the sector, with unions calling for greater certainty as the industry faces rising input costs, supply chain pressures and continued market volatility.

The move to the SFS remains one of the most significant agricultural policy changes in Wales since devolution. Ministers insist the shift is designed to support both food production and environmental stewardship, while critics warn the transition must not undermine farm viability—especially for family-run livestock farms that dominate rural areas such as Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire.

What happens next

Farmers still awaiting their BPS 2025 balance will continue to be processed “as soon as possible”, the Welsh Government said. Officials will also publish updated guidance on the Sustainable Farming Scheme ahead of its launch.

The coming year will therefore become a pivotal moment for Welsh agriculture, as the long-standing BPS framework—which provided over £200m annually to Welsh farmers—makes way for a new results-based model that will shape the industry for decades to come.

News

Improved train timetable launches across Wales

Published

8 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Extra services, later trains and boosted Sunday routes as £800m rail investment takes effect

An improved train timetable has come into force across Wales today (Sunday, 14 December), with Transport for Wales (TfW) introducing more frequent services, stronger connections and additional late-night trains on key routes.

The winter timetable update brings one of the most substantial uplifts in recent years on the Wales and Borders network, forming part of the Welsh Government’s ongoing £800 million investment in brand-new rolling stock and reliability improvements.

More trains and later journeys

Among the upgrades, passengers will see:

A new hourly additional service between Chester and Wrexham, effectively doubling the frequency on one of the region’s busiest commuter corridors.
An extra train in each direction every day on the Heart of Wales line between Swansea and Shrewsbury.
Three later last trains from Cardiff to Treherbert, Aberdare and Merthyr Tydfil, supporting shift workers and the night-time economy.
A new hourly Sunday service on the Coryton line in Cardiff.

Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales, Ken Skates, said improved connectivity was “absolutely vital” for economic growth and passenger confidence.

“These changes will make a real difference to customers, who will benefit from more services and greater connectivity,” he said. “This has been made possible by our £800m investment in brand-new trains for the Wales and Borders network.

“We will see the doubling of trains between Wrexham and Chester and a later service from the capital to valley communities. In South Wales, people will continue to benefit from simpler, fairer fares through TfW’s Pay As You Go service, and its forthcoming introduction in North Wales will help even more passengers access easy, transparent pricing.”

Full details of the updated timetable are available at: tfw.wales/service-status/timetables

News

Wrecked guard boat still under watch off north Pembrokeshire coast

Published

8 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Tidal changes monitored after dramatic early-morning rescue

A GUARD VESSEL that ran aground off the north Pembrokeshire coast in the early hours of Thursday morning (Dec 11) remains under close observation as tides continue to shift.

The Resolute, a 24-metre guard boat understood to be working for an offshore wind project off the Irish coast, had been sheltering in worsening weather when she was pushed onto rocks near Aber Hywel, Dinas, shortly after 3:25am.

Four crew members were onboard when the vessel grounded in rough seas and a strong southerly wind.

Major rescue effort launched

The crew issued an emergency alert, prompting a full multi-agency response.
A coastguard rescue helicopter, both Fishguard RNLI lifeboats, and coastguard teams from Fishguard and St Davids were sent to the scene.

Turbulent air made a winch rescue impossible and Fishguard’s all-weather lifeboat was unable to get close due to cliffs and submerged hazards. The inshore lifeboat was instead deployed to attempt a transfer in extremely challenging conditions.

During the evacuation, the third crew member descending to the vessel’s life raft slipped, fell into the water and was swept away. Speaking afterwards, RNLI crew member Cedwyn Rogers said the team immediately switched into “hyper-focused” mode as training took over.

Despite the casualty drifting, helm Warren Bean — a volunteer with more than 30 years’ RNLI experience — manoeuvred the lifeboat alongside, allowing crew to haul the man to safety. The remaining crew member was then retrieved, and all four were taken aboard the all-weather lifeboat and brought ashore to Fishguard.

All rescue units were later stood down.

Vessel still stranded and taking on water

The Herald understands that the Resolute remained aground on the rocks yesterday and was taking on water. The crew were later assisted back onboard by a local fisherman to assess damage on behalf of the vessel’s operators.

Management representatives from Ireland were due to arrive to draw up a recovery plan, including arrangements to remove fuel to prevent any potential environmental impact.

Further inspections have been taking place today as the team evaluates the next steps.

Coastguard statement

A spokesperson for HM Coastguard said: “At 3.28am on Thursday morning, HM Coastguard was made aware of a vessel with four persons onboard aground on rocks at Fishguard, Pembrokeshire. RNLI lifeboats and coastguard rescue teams from Fishguard and St Davids were sent to the scene. The four people aboard were rescued by lifeboat, and the helicopter was stood down. The vessel, which is still aground, is being monitored as tidal conditions change.”