Labour ousted in Caerphilly by-election as 107-year grip on 'safe' seat is smashed

In the Caerphilly by-election, Plaid Cymru's Lindsay Whittle secured 15,961 votes, defeating Reform UK's Llyr Powell, who garnered 12,113 votes. Labour, which had held the seat since 1918, received only 3,713 votes, marking a significant decline of 34.9% compared to the 2021 Senedd election.

The by-election was triggered by the death of Labour MS Hefin David. Whittle's victory ended Labour's 107-year dominance in the constituency. The turnout was 50.43%, with 33,736 ballots cast, an increase from the 44.31% turnout in 2021.

Party sources had branded the election a 'defeat for Starmerism' even before the result. The Welsh First Minister, Baroness Morgan, acknowledged the 'difficult headwinds nationally' and referred to the by-election as occurring in the 'toughest of circumstances.' ([gbnews.com](https://www.gbnews.com/politics/caerphilly-byelection-welsh-first-minister-baroness-morgan-keir-starmer-labour?utm_source=openai))

The Caerphilly by-election result is seen as a significant shift in Welsh politics, with Plaid Cymru's victory challenging the long-standing dominance of Labour in the region.