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Last Updated: 4 minutes ago
First Minister Eluned Morgan has urged the UK Labour government to shift direction after she lost her seat in Ceredigion Penfro in today’s Senedd election – a historic defeat that made her the first sitting head of government in the UK to be voted out of their own constituency.
A call for change
Speaking after the result, Morgan said voters across Britain had sent a clear message of anger towards her party.
“It is clear that results across the whole of the United Kingdom have demonstrated deep frustration with the Labour Party,” she said.
“We need the Labour government nationally to change course. We need the wealth of this nation to be more equally distributed away from the south east.”
Morgan insisted that the Welsh contest should be judged on its own terms, adding: “But I was always clear that this election was about Wales and Keir Starmer was not on the ballot.”
She argued that Labour must return to its roots as the “party of the working class”.
Starmer pays tribute
Sir Keir Starmer confirmed he had spoken to Morgan following the result and praised her record in office.
“Eluned Morgan has been a formidable first minister and tireless champion for Wales,” the Prime Minister said.
“She broke barriers and has never stopped fighting for families in the communities she loves.
“Together, we have worked to lift children out of poverty, cut hospital waiting lists, and create thousands of new jobs.”
Starmer thanked Morgan for her “over 30 years of service” to the country and to Labour, adding: “I have no doubt her contribution to Wales will endure.”
