Plaid Wins Caerphilly Senedd Seat in Upset

Plaid Cymru's Lindsay Whittle won the Caerphilly Senedd by-election, the first time the seat has gone to Plaid since the Senedd was created in 1999. Whittle secured a majority of about 3,848 with a swing of nearly 27% on turnout above 50%. A surge for Reform UK, boosted by a high-profile push from Nigel Farage, left Labour in third with roughly 11%. The by-election was triggered by the death of Labour MS Hefin Wyn David; Welsh Labour figures including First Minister Eluned Morgan said the party must take responsibility and learn from the result. The outcome is being seen as an emboldening sign for nationalists and could complicate upcoming Welsh budget votes and wider election prospects for Labour.