"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."
"In Wales, Reform, led nationally by the former Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage, had hoped to win its first seat in the devolved Welsh parliament, known as the Senedd, and had pledged to "throw everything" at its campaign. 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."
Plaid Cymru won the Caerphilly Senedd by-election with 15,961 votes, beating Reform UK and the defending Labour Party. Reform UK increased its vote dramatically from fewer than 500 four years ago to 12,113, while Labour fell to 3,713 (down from 13,289). The contest was viewed as a political bellwether and drew a turnout of over 50%. Plaid candidate Lindsay Whittle praised collective effort and practical solutions and referenced openDemocracy research showing Reform received almost £5 million in donations since 2023. The result denied Reform its first Senedd seat and reinforced Plaid as a center-left, pro-independence force in Wales.
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