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Rhun ap Iorwerth is set to become the next First Minister of Wales after Plaid Cymru emerged as the largest party in the Senedd with 43 seats – the first time in the devolution era that Labour has been removed from power.
Addressing cheering activists at Venue Cymru in Llandudno, the Plaid leader described the result as a moment “100 years in the making” and confirmed his party would put his name forward for the role of First Minister.
The result
Under the new D’Hondt proportional system – which expanded the Senedd from 60 to 96 members – Plaid Cymru fell six seats short of an outright majority of 49. Reform UK finished as the second largest party on 34 seats, while Labour was reduced to just nine – a catastrophic collapse from its position as the party of government.
The Welsh Conservatives took seven seats, the Green Party secured two – including the first ever Green MS in Wales, leader Anthony Slaughter – and the Liberal Democrats returned one member.
Record turnout was reported at polling stations across Wales.
Labour’s defeat
First Minister Eluned Morgan lost her own seat in the Ceredigion Penfro constituency and announced she would step down as Welsh Labour leader.
“Welsh Labour has today suffered a catastrophic result,” she said. “It ends a century of Labour winning in Wales, and the party will need to take a really hard look at itself, and understand the depth of the challenge that we face.
“I’ve lost my seat here in Ceredigion Penfro and I will be standing down as leader of Welsh Labour. I take responsibility for the Labour result in Wales.”
Ap Iorwerth’s victory speech
The Plaid leader struck an optimistic tone, framing the result as a turning point for the country.
“We have won because we represent hope over division, credibility over chaos and progress over stagnation,” he said.
“We could all see it. We could all sense it. Wales demanded a new beginning.
“And now a new dawn beckons. But we have not yet reached the destination. Far from it. We’re just setting out on our journey, and we set off with new leadership, with new energy and new ideas.”
He described it as a moment in which “we hold the promise and ambition of the nation in our hands”.
“The promise of fairness, of opportunity, of prosperity, of a nation determined in its ambition and uncompromising in its compassion.”
What happens next
Ap Iorwerth confirmed he would begin reaching out to other parties in the Senedd to build the support needed to form a government.
“I now intend to reach out to others who can support these missions with the pace and seriousness they demand, and to find common ground where we can, for the common good.
“Plaid Cymru will press ahead with those conversations with urgency and put forward my name to be nominated as the next first minister.”
A vote to confirm who will lead the new Welsh Government could take place as soon as Tuesday.
