"The Welsh nationalist party Plaid Cymru came out on top in a local Welsh parliament by-election on Thursday, defeating the far-right populist Reform UK party and the defending Labour Party. The election in the constituency of Caerphilly, just outside the Welsh capital Cardiff, had been seen as a bellwether for more general political trends across the United Kingdom, where Reform is currently ahead of Prime Minister Keir Starmer's Labour Party in the national polls."
"And the party did indeed increase its vote from fewer than 500 four years ago to 12,113 well ahead of Labour on 3,713 (down from 13,289) but behind Plaid Cymru on 15,961. "Tonight's result shows what's possible when people come together to back practical solutions and protect what matters most," said Plaid candidate Lindsay Whittle after the vote, which attracted a relatively high turnout of over 50%."
The Caerphilly Senedd by-election produced a Plaid Cymru victory, with Plaid candidate Lindsay Whittle receiving 15,961 votes. Reform UK increased its vote from fewer than 500 four years earlier to 12,113, finishing second, while Labour fell to 3,713 from 13,289. Turnout was relatively high at over 50 percent. Reform campaigned nationally under Nigel Farage and sought its first seat in the Welsh parliament. Plaid presented the result as evidence that practical, collective campaigning can succeed and cited concerns about wealthy donor influence on Reform, referencing openDemocracy research on donations since 2023. Plaid Cymru is a centre-left party advocating Welsh independence.
Read at www.dw.com
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