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Breaking News: Plaid Cymru wins Caerphilly Senedd by-election

By Mark Mansfield
Plaid Cymru's Lindsay Whittle Photo Andrew Matthews/PA Wire

Plaid Cymru has defeated Reform UK in a fiercely-fought Senedd by-election, with defending party Labour trailing in third.

Nigel Farage’s party was hoping to win its first seat at the ballot box in the Caerphilly constituency and pledged to “throw everything” at its campaign.

But Plaid has emerged victorious with a majority of 3,848 votes, and a swing of almost 27% from Labour.

The result will embolden Plaid in its efforts to enter government in Wales next year, and is a bitter blow for Labour, which had held the seat since the Senedd was first established in 1999.

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Caerphilly by-election result – Lindsay Whittle elected.

Steve Aicheler – Lib Dems – 497 votes

Anthony Cook – Gwlad – 117

Gareth Hughes – Greens – 516

Gareth Potter – Conservatives – 690

Llyr Powell – Reform – 12,113

Roger Quilliam – UKIP – 79

Richard Tunnicliffe – Labour – 3,713

Lindsay Whittle – Plaid Cymru – 15,961

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20 comments

Rhufawn Jones

Da iawn chi, bobl annwyl Caerffili. "Cadwn y mur rhag y bwystfil. Cadwn y ffynnon rhag y baw."

Reply
Chris

Contrary to the polling it wasn't even close, with a majority of 3,848 votes Plaid won - well done Plaid.

Reply
SundanceKid

Yes, Reform were very much touted as the prospective winners. Plaid hardly given any consideration by the British media. I hope this result has delivered a bloody nose to the establishment.

Reply
Amir

So true. I was so pessimistic yesterday.

Reply
smae

The polling results did show it as close and each was within the margin of error. When two parties are polling close together like that it really can go either way come polling day. Sadly they don't really show the margin of error on the graphs making it harder to see how different it might be. I also don't think they expected the turn out that happened. 50% of the electorate.

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Mjwiggs90

Record turnout for a Senedd seat. Reform has a dedicated following but they are very loud and given prominence by a mainstream media infatuated with Farage and his ilk. The quiet majority stood up and we're counted. Da iawn!

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Richard Lice

The very best of news , A huge victory. Brought back my faith in humanity that the good people of Caerphilly wouldn't get taken in by Reform's toxic campaign They must be bitterly disappointed Farage disappeared early when he realised it wasn't going Reform's way He doesn't like losers. Sounds like Powell's day in the sun has come to a close Andrew Davies has kept his head well below the parapet. Zero support for the Conservative candidate Maybe he might be having second thoughts about jumping ship to Reform

Reply
smae

While Reform didn't win... Reform saw a huge 34% swing... practically absorbing Labour. On the other hand, Conservatives lost a 15% swing, with Plaid gaining a 19% swing. Reform are a clear and present threat and while they lost this by-election (which they probably would have won if the turnout was lower) there's a sizeable base that will fight hard come election time.

Reply
Mandi A

Lest we forget

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Richard Lice

Yes no doubt they are a clear and present danger Yet the arrogance and contempt displayed .Their campaign was fought on fear and misinformation . They acted as they already had one hand on the cup They threw the Essex kitchen sink at it They thought Wales was just there for the taking.It clearly isn't

Reply
Valley Girl

Amazing result. Let’s now drive reform out of Wales. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

Reply
Garycymru

For good.

Reply
James Edwards

To all the traitors who voted for the fascist English National Party put that in your pipes and well and truly smoke it LOSERS.

Reply
Adam

Far too many of them.

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Arthur Owen

That's the way to get people to change their mind,call them fascist traitors.

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Adam

But they kind of are. If you live in a country, then support a political party from a different country, that happens to despise your country, that's pretty much the definition of "traitor". As for the fascist part, that's exactly what they are, what they want to be and what they support. I'm assuming the dictionary definition hasn't changed of course. If they're all about "free speech" as they claim, they wouldn't want to change the terminology.

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James Edwards

I wouldn’t waste the oxygen even attempting to change their mind if you vote for the English Nationalist fascist party then you are beneath contempt even worse if you are Welsh. I presume you are one of them so suck it up loser

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Cymro Sir Fynwy

Da iawn Plaid Cymru.

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Richard Lice

I wonder how many of the Welsh Conservative MSs were waiting to jump ship dependent on the Caerphilly result? Andrew Davies had shamefully shown no support in Caerphilly for Potter Not a single mention on his account What a truly dreadful lot

Reply
Mab Meirion

He's a dead ringer for Charlie Drake is Caer's 'Darling'... Perhaps the First Minister and Drakeford will pay Rhun and Plaid a little more respect in the time they have left...

Reply

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Replying to SundanceKid Cancel

Yes, Reform were very much touted as the prospective winners. Plaid hardly given any consideration by the British media. I hope this result has delivered a bloody nose to the establishment.

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