News

Eluned Morgan accepts blame for Labour’s Caerphilly defeat

Published

5 months ago

October 26, 2025

Welsh Labour leader says party is “listening and learning” after historic by-election loss

WELSH LABOUR leader Eluned Morgan has admitted her party must “listen and learn” following a devastating defeat in the Caerphilly Senedd by-election, describing the result as “a by-election in the toughest of circumstances”.

The seat, once regarded as one of Labour’s safest in Wales, was captured by Plaid Cymru’s Lindsay Whittle, a veteran local councillor and former Senedd Member, who secured a decisive victory over Labour’s candidate Richard Tunnicliffe and pushed the party into an unprecedented third place behind Reform UK.

“We take our share of the responsibility”

In a statement issued by Welsh Labour, Ms Morgan thanked Mr Tunnicliffe for standing “out of a desire to serve his community” and congratulated Mr Whittle on his win.

“This was a by-election in the toughest of circumstances, and in the midst of difficult headwinds nationally,” she said.
“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 come back stronger.”

Collapse of the Labour vote

The Caerphilly result marks one of the sharpest drops in Labour’s vote share in Welsh political history. The party, which has held the constituency in one form or another for more than a century, secured just 11% of the vote, suffering a swing of 27 percentage points.

Plaid Cymru’s campaign, led by party leader Rhun ap Iorwerth, focused on offering what he called “a bold, inclusive vision” for Wales and a rejection of what he described as “Starmerite managerialism”. Reform UK also performed strongly, taking second place and highlighting the volatility of the political landscape ahead of next May’s council and Senedd elections.

Warning signs for Starmer and Labour in Wales

The loss has sent shockwaves through both Cardiff Bay and Westminster, with some Labour MPs warning that if similar results were repeated in next year’s elections, it could prove fatal to Keir Starmer’s leadership.

Although Welsh Labour remains the dominant force in devolved politics, the Caerphilly result has fuelled concerns that the party is losing ground among traditional working-class voters in former industrial heartlands — once considered its core base.

The by-election was triggered by the resignation of former Labour MS Hefin David, who stepped down earlier this year.

Plaid’s comeback

Lindsay Whittle’s return to the Senedd marks a political comeback for one of Plaid Cymru’s most experienced figures. He previously represented South Wales East between 2011 and 2016 and served for decades on Caerphilly County Borough Council, including as its leader.

His victory speech described the result as “a turning point for Welsh politics”, pledging to “stand up for the people of Caerphilly who have been taken for granted for too long”.

News

Emergency services flood Haverfordwest after reports of body in river

Published

6 minutes ago

March 17, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Town centre bridges sealed off as multi-agency response continues

A MAJOR emergency response is underway in the centre of Haverfordwest after reports of a body in the River Cleddau.

Multiple police units, fire crews and ambulance teams were called to the scene shortly before 11:00am on Tuesday (Mar 17), with large parts of the town centre sealed off.

The Herald understands that access across both the Old Bridge and the newly installed Instagramable Bridge near by has been restricted while emergency services deal with the incident.

A witness at the scene told The Herald that he was among several members of the public who contacted emergency services after spotting a body in the water.

He said that a significant response followed, including several police vehicles, multiple fire engines, and a specialist water rescue unit.

A rigid inflatable boat (RIB) was also deployed on the river as part of the operation.

An ambulance is also still in attendance.

Emergency services remain at the scene and the situation is ongoing.

There has been no official confirmation from Dyfed-Powys Police at this stage regarding the nature of the incident.

MORE TO FOLLOW

News

Motorcyclist injured in Johnston crash after overtaking lorry

Published

19 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

20 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.