May 08, 2026 - 259 views
Wales is tonight facing a dramatically different political landscape after a historic Senedd election ended Labour’s long-standing dominance in Welsh politics.
For the first time since devolution began in 1999, Rhun ap Iorwerth and Plaid Cymru emerged as the largest party in the Senedd, with the party securing 43 seats in the newly-expanded 96-member chamber.
The election also saw a major breakthrough for Reform UK, which surged into second place with 34 seats, marking one of the biggest political shake-ups Wales has seen in decades.
Meanwhile, Welsh Labour suffered a devastating collapse, falling to just nine seats — its worst ever Senedd result. First Minister Eluned Morgan also lost her own seat and later announced her resignation as Welsh Labour leader.
Across North Wales, several key constituencies reflected the wider national trend. In Bangor Conwy Môn, Plaid Cymru strengthened its position, while in Clwyd, Reform UK secured three seats, alongside two for Plaid Cymru and one Conservative seat for Darren Millar.
The election was the first to use Wales’ new proportional voting system and an expanded Senedd with 96 members, changes designed to make results more representative across the country. Turnout was reported at just over 51%, the highest in Welsh devolved election history.
Political experts say the result signals a major realignment in Welsh politics, with voters increasingly moving away from the traditional Labour-Conservative dominance seen for generations.
Attention will now turn to coalition talks and negotiations over who will lead the next Welsh Government, with Plaid Cymru expected to begin discussions in the coming days.
