Reform UK Welsh leader wins seat as party makes gains in Senedd elections

WorldPolitics
8 May 2026 • 10:50 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

Reform UK Welsh leader wins seat as party makes gains in Senedd elections

  • Reform UK secured the largest number of votes in Casnewydd Islwyn, with their Welsh leader Dan Thomas winning a seat.
  • Dan Thomas stated that Reform UK would represent the people, focus on everyday issues, and prioritise common sense over ideology; he also highlighted Reform UK's rapid growth, moving from 1 per cent of the vote to becoming a significant contender for government in just five years.
  • In Casnewydd Islwyn, Reform UK and Plaid Cymru each won two seats, while Labour and the Conservatives each gained one seat in the Casnewydd Islwyn constituency.
  • Plaid Cymru has won 27,407 votes in Pen-y-Bont Morgannwg, with Reform coming second with 24,602 votes.
  • Welsh Labour anticipates retaining only around 10 seats in the Senedd, with Reform, Plaid Cymru, and the Green Party expected to gain seats.

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