Plaid Cymru Ends Century of Labour Dominance in Historic Caerphilly By-Election

Plaid Cymru achieved a historic victory in the Caerphilly by-election, ending over a century of Labour dominance in the constituency with 47% of the vote, while Reform UK came in second with 36%, and Labour suffered a disastrous third-place finish with only 11%. The by-election was triggered by the death of Labour MS Hefin David, and Plaid's Lindsay Whittle, a long-time local politician, dedicated his win to David's legacy, emphasizing a new beginning for Welsh politics. Labour's collapse reflects deep voter dissatisfaction and a sense of abandonment, with internal calls for the party to present a compelling new vision to regain support. Reform UK, despite significant campaign efforts including visits from senior figures like Nigel Farage, failed to convert high expectations into victory, though they view the campaign as a learning experience for future elections. The result is a significant boost for Plaid Cymru as they position themselves as the leading alternative to Labour ahead of the 2026 Welsh Parliament elections, signaling shifting political dynamics in Wales. The increased voter turnout of over 50% demonstrated strong engagement, but also highlighted tactical voting that favored Plaid over Reform.