Voters go to polls in Caerphilly byelection that could mark historic shift for Wales

"Voters are going to the polls on Thursday in a byelection that could mark a historic shift in Welsh politics. Labour has run the Welsh parliament since the devolved administration was established in 1999, and Caerphilly has been one of its strongholds. But opposition parties hoping to form the next Welsh government have run fierce campaigns in the south Wales constituency. Polling stations opened at 7am and close at 10pm, and the result is expected in the early hours of Friday."

"In recent polling, Plaid Cymru and Reform UK have been forecast as the two biggest parties in Wales next year. The result in Caerphilly could be a bellwether for the Senedd election in May and is likely to be treated as such by the victorious party."

"When passing its budget in March, the government needed the help of an opposition member to get it through by a tight margin. While Labour is the largest party in the Senedd, it does not have a majority, and the budget vote in January could be even more difficult if the party loses the Caerphilly seat. Speaking at a press conference in Caerphilly last month, Nigel Farage announced Reform's candidate, Llyr Powell, and pledged to throw everything at the campaign."

Voters are going to the polls in a Caerphilly byelection that could mark a historic shift in Welsh politics. Labour has governed the Welsh parliament since devolution in 1999, and Caerphilly has been a Labour stronghold. Opposition parties have mounted strong campaigns in the south Wales constituency, with recent polls forecasting Plaid Cymru and Reform UK as the two biggest parties in Wales next year. The result is viewed as a potential bellwether for the Senedd election in May and could affect Labour's ability to pass the next government budget. Labour lacks an overall Senedd majority, increasing the seat's significance.

Read at www.theguardian.com