Welsh Labour has announced that it expects to win just 10 seats in the newly expanded 96-seat Senedd, marking a dramatic fall from power for the party that has governed Wales for nearly three decades. No seats have been officially declared in Thursday's Senedd election, but the party appears to be preparing for a significant defeat to Plaid Cymru and Reform UK, both of which have consistently led in opinion polls.
Historic Low for Labour
Labour has never secured fewer than 26 seats in the previous 60-seat Senedd. However, under a new, more proportional voting system, the party now anticipates winning only 10 out of 96 available seats. The party statement also hinted that First Minister Eluned Morgan is expected to lose her seat in Ceredigion Penfro (Ceredigion Pembroke), which would make her the first sitting First Minister to be unseated.
Party Statement
Welsh Labour released a statement acknowledging the difficult election: "This has undeniably been a very difficult election for Welsh Labour. We now expect to lose several hardworking and respected members of the Senedd. We thank them for their service to their communities. It is looking like Welsh Labour will return a group of around 10 MSs - which will at least allow a vocal Labour opposition, even though we are deeply disappointed about not being able to lead a government. We expect Eluned Morgan to speak at Llandysul later following her result. We do not have the final result but we’ve always known it was going to be a hard fight for Ceredigion Penfro. Eluned will take responsibility for this result. She has been the heart and soul of this campaign, leading from the front and never shying away from a tough fight."
The outcome represents a seismic shift in Welsh politics, with Labour's long-standing dominance potentially coming to an end. The final results are still pending, but the party is bracing for a new era of opposition.
