In an extraordinary political upset, Plaid Cymru has claimed victory in the Caerphilly Senedd by-election, unseating Welsh Labour in a constituency they’ve held for more than 100 years.
Plaid Cymru’s Historic Caerphilly Win Signals Political Shift in Wales
Lindsay Whittle, a 72-year-old political stalwart who has stood in 13 elections since 1983, finally saw his moment of triumph, securing 15,961 votes and delivering a heartfelt, emotional victory speech.
His win marks the first time Plaid Cymru has ever held the Caerphilly seat in the Senedd. It’s a symbolic and significant shift in the Welsh political landscape.
This wasn’t just a win; this was a statement. The once ironclad grip of Labour on Caerphilly has been broken, opening the door for deeper political transformation across Wales.
Final Vote Breakdown
Here’s how each candidate fared at the polls:
| Candidate | Party | Votes |
|---|---|---|
| Lindsay Whittle | Plaid Cymru | 15,961 |
| Llyr Powell | Reform UK | 12,113 |
| Richard Tunnicliffe | Welsh Labour | 3,713 |
| Gareth Potter | Welsh Conservatives | 690 |
| Gareth Hughes | Green Party | 516 |
| Steve Aicheler | Welsh Liberal Democrats | 497 |
| Anthony Cook | Gwlad | 117 |
| Roger Quilliam | UKIP | 79 |
Labour Left in the Dust
Labour’s collapse to third place with just 3,713 votes signals more than just a by-election hiccup. It’s a crushing blow to a party that had, until now, counted Caerphilly as one of its most reliable strongholds.
The Caerphilly constituency has been red since the creation of the Welsh Assembly in 1999—and its corresponding parliamentary seat for generations before that.
Reform UK Surges, But Falls Short
Reform UK delivered a surprising performance, collecting 12,113 votes and finishing second. The party, closely associated with Nigel Farage, was aiming to capitalise on national polling momentum.
But despite the numbers, it wasn’t enough to overcome the local strength and familiarity of Plaid’s Lindsay Whittle. The result denies Reform UK the kind of symbolic breakthrough it was hoping for.
Turnout Reflects Growing Public Engagement
Turnout reached 50.43%, a noticeable increase compared to the last Senedd election in 2021. That higher engagement underlines the importance local voters attached to this race and hints at wider political unrest.
Whittle’s Emotional Speech and Vision for Caerphilly
Accepting his win, Mr Whittle paid a moving tribute to the late Hefin David, Labour’s former Member of the Senedd for Caerphilly: “He will be a hard act to follow. I will never fill his shoes – but I promise you, I will walk the same path that he did.”
He praised the surge in youth participation and delivered a pointed message to both Cardiff and Westminster: “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.”
Whittle framed the moment as not just a local win, but the start of a new political chapter for Wales: “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.”
And with a smile, he added: “It was better than scoring the winning try for Wales in the Rugby World Cup.”
Smaller Parties Lose Ground
The Welsh Conservatives, Green Party, Lib Dems, Gwlad and UKIP all saw low vote counts and lost their deposits, further highlighting the by-election’s concentrated two-horse nature.
What This Means for Welsh Politics
Plaid Cymru’s win in Caerphilly doesn’t just flip a seat; it rattles the political status quo. With Labour facing serious questions about its grip on traditional constituencies and Reform UK snapping at their heels, the Welsh political map could be heading for a serious redraw.
Whether this marks the beginning of broader momentum for Plaid Cymru remains to be seen, but for now, Caerphilly has spoken, and it’s asking for change.
