Plaid Cymru has secured victory in the by-election for the Senedd seat of Caerphilly, marking their first win in this constituency.
The Welsh nationalist party garnered 15,960 votes, with candidate Lindsay Whittle becoming emotional upon hearing the results.
At 72 years old, Mr. Whittle has run as a Plaid candidate 13 times since 1983. He will now hold the seat until the national elections of the Welsh Assembly next year.
The by-election was largely seen as a contest between Plaid Cymru and Reform UK, and the outcome represents a significant setback for Nigel Farage.
Despite this, the party’s performance is a vast improvement from 2021 when they only received 495 votes.
Most notably, this outcome is a humiliating and historic loss for Labour, who had held Caerphilly in every Senedd election since its establishment in 1999, as well as the Westminster seat for over a century.
Their candidate Richard Tunnicliffe received 3,713 votes, finishing third, with Welsh Labour acknowledging the challenges faced during this by-election.
The overall voter turnout was 50.43%, significantly higher than the previous ballot in 2021.
In his acceptance speech following the confirmation of the results, Mr. Whittle paid tribute to Hefin David, the former Welsh Labour Member of the Senedd for Caerphilly, who passed away in August.
«He will be a hard act to follow,» Mr. Whittle stated. «I will never fill his shoes, but I promise to walk the same path he did.»
The Plaid politician expressed his appreciation for the involvement of many young people in the by-election, emphasizing the message sent by the results.
«Listen now Cardiff and listen Westminster – this is Caerphilly and Wales telling you we want a better deal for every corner of Wales. The big parties need to sit up and take notice.
«Wales, we are at the dawn of new leadership, we are at the dawn of a new beginning – and I look forward to playing my part for a new Wales, and in particular, for the people of the Caerphilly constituency. I thank you with all my heart.»
Mr. Whittle joked that Plaid’s triumph was «better than scoring the winning try for Wales in the Rugby World Cup.»
Looking ahead to the upcoming elections, he remarked: «[This] result shows what’s possible when people come together to support practical solutions and protect what matters most.
«We’ve beaten billionaire-backed Reform and, with the same determination, we can do it again in May 2026. Caerphilly has shown the way – now Wales must follow.»
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How tactical voting helped Plaid Cymru
Speaking to Sky’s chief political correspondent Jon Craig just before the declaration, Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth said: «There’s clearly a real significance to the result – we are seeing the disillusionment with Labour writ large. I’ve heard it on hundreds of doorsteps, we’ve seen it in opinion polls.»
He conceded there was tactical voting in this by-election – with Labour and Conservative supporters alike backing Lindsay Whittle to keep out Reform.
However, Mr. ap Iorwerth added: «I’ve spoken to literally hundreds and hundreds of people who told me – time and time again – ‘I’ve been a Labour supporter all my life, and we’re backing you this time.’
«Not begrudgingly, but because they see that’s the direction we’re going in – not just in this by-election, but as a nation. Plaid Cymru has emerged victorious in the by-election for the Senedd seat of Caerphilly, marking their first win in the area. Candidate Lindsay Whittle shed tears of joy as he secured 15,960 votes, a significant achievement after standing as a Plaid candidate 13 times since 1983. The result is a blow for Reform UK, as their candidate, Llyr Powell, received 12,113 votes, denying Nigel Farage a victory that would have bolstered their electoral prospects.
Despite the strong showing from Plaid Cymru, the by-election also highlighted a historic defeat for Labour, who had previously held Caerphilly in every Senedd election since its inception in 1999. Richard Tunnicliffe, the Labour candidate, secured 3,713 votes, finishing in third place. Turnout for the election stood at 50.43%, considerably higher than in the previous ballot in 2021.
In his acceptance speech, Lindsay Whittle paid tribute to Hefin David, the former Welsh Labour Member of the Senedd for Caerphilly. He vowed to continue David’s legacy, emphasizing the need for positive change in Wales. Looking ahead to the next year’s elections, Whittle called on people to support practical solutions and strive for a better future for Wales.
Plaid’s victory in Caerphilly is seen as a significant milestone, signaling a desire for new leadership and a fresh start in Welsh politics. The result serves as a reminder to the major parties in Cardiff and Westminster to listen to the voices of the Welsh people and prioritize the needs of all communities. As Plaid celebrates their win, they are already looking towards the future, determined to build on this success in the upcoming elections in May 2026. Plaid Cymru’s Victory in Caerphilly Signals a Shift in Welsh Politics
Plaid Cymru has achieved a significant milestone by winning the by-election in the Senedd seat of Caerphilly for the first time. The Welsh nationalist party secured 15,960 votes, marking a historic moment for candidate Lindsay Whittle, who had stood as a Plaid candidate 13 times since 1983. This victory means that Whittle will hold the seat until the Welsh Assembly’s national elections next year.
The by-election was primarily seen as a contest between Plaid Cymru and Reform UK, with the result dealing a blow to Nigel Farage’s party. Despite Reform UK’s candidate, Llyr Powell, receiving 12,113 votes, denying them a victory that would have bolstered their electoral prospects, the party’s improved performance compared to 2021 is noteworthy.
The outcome of the by-election also represents a significant setback for the Labour Party, which had held Caerphilly in every Senedd election since its establishment in 1999, as well as the Westminster seat for over a century. Labour’s candidate, Richard Tunnicliffe, secured 3,713 votes and finished in third place. Welsh Labour acknowledged the challenging circumstances surrounding the by-election and described it as a test amid national headwinds.
The voter turnout of 50.43% in this by-election was notably higher than in the previous ballot in 2021, indicating increased engagement among constituents. Following the confirmation of the result, Mr. Whittle paid tribute to Hefin David, the former Welsh Labour Member of the Senedd for Caerphilly who passed away in August, acknowledging the legacy he left behind.
In light of Plaid Cymru’s victory, party leader Rhun ap Iorwerth emphasized the significance of the result, noting the disillusionment with Labour evident in the electorate’s support for change. He highlighted the presence of tactical voting in the by-election, with voters from both Labour and Conservative backgrounds backing Plaid Cymru to thwart Reform UK.
Moreover, the First Minister, Eluned Morgan, extended congratulations to Mr. Whittle on his return to the Senedd, acknowledging Labour’s responsibility for the result and affirming the party’s commitment to learning from the outcome. The Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats, on the other hand, faced losses in the by-election, with both parties losing their deposits.
Overall, Plaid Cymru’s victory in Caerphilly signifies a shifting political landscape in Wales, with the electorate signaling a desire for change and a departure from traditional party allegiances. As Wales looks ahead to the next election cycle, the momentum generated by this result calls for a unified effort to embrace positive change and build a better future for the nation. I will never be able to step into his shoes, but I promise you that I will follow the same path he did.
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