"The election in the constituency of Caerphilly, just outside the Welsh capital Cardiff, had been seen as a bellwether for more general political trends across the United Kingdom, where Reform is currently ahead of Prime Minister Keir Starmer's Labour Party in the national polls. In Wales, Reform, led nationally by the former Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage, had hoped to win its first seat in the devolved Welsh parliament, known as the Senedd, and had pledged to "throw everything" at its campaign."
"'We've beaten billionaire-backed Reform and, with the same determination, we can do it again in May 2026,' he continued, referring to the next full Welsh parliamentary elections and recent research by openDemocracy which showed that Reform has received almost 5 million pounds (5.7 million, 6.6 million) from wealthy donors since 2023."
Plaid Cymru won the Caerphilly Senedd by-election with 15,961 votes, defeating Reform UK (12,113) and Labour (3,713, down from 13,289). The contest in Caerphilly, near Cardiff, drew turnout above 50% and was viewed as a bellwether for wider UK political shifts as Reform currently leads Labour in national polls. Reform, led by Nigel Farage, increased its local vote from under 500 four years ago and had targeted its first Senedd seat. Plaid candidate Lindsay Whittle credited practical solutions and donor scrutiny of Reform's nearly £5 million in wealthy donations since 2023. Plaid aims to replicate success in May 2026.
Read at www.dw.com
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