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First minister loses Senedd seat in historic Labour defeat

Eluned Morgan has become the first leader of a UK government to lose their seat while in office, as Labour's century-long run of election successes in Wales came to an end in the 2026 Senedd election.

First minister loses Senedd seat in historic Labour defeat
Eluned Morgan Image: PA Images / Alamy

Wales’ First Minister Eluned Morgan has been defeated in the Ceredigion Penfro constituency in today’s Senedd election – making her the first leader of a UK government to lose their seat while in office.

A century-long era ends

Morgan, who made history in 2024 as the first woman to become Wales’ First Minister, confirmed she would be standing down as leader of Welsh Labour following the result. Labour failed to win a single seat in the Ceredigion Penfro constituency, bringing to an end a century of Labour election victories in Wales.

Taking responsibility

In her speech after the result was announced, Morgan accepted full responsibility for the scale of Labour’s losses across the country, saying the people of Wales had “rejected Welsh Labour”.

She described serving as First Minister as the “privilege of my life”, and reflected on her place in history as the first woman to lead the Welsh Government.

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