Reform UK has secured its first Senedd seat in the Casnewydd Islwyn constituency, prompting celebrations from Welsh darts star Gerwyn Price. The party received 23,571 votes, narrowly ahead of Plaid Cymru on 23,069, with Labour trailing in third with 10,622 votes.
Reform UK Wales leader Dan Thomas, who won the seat, delivered a pointed speech targeting Labour. He said: 'The Welsh Valleys have been ignored, let down and forgotten by the old parties of Wales. The people have spoken and they now have a voice in Reform.' Thomas added that his party would 'put the people of Wales first'.
Price, a vocal Reform UK supporter, shared a social media post congratulating Thomas on his victory. The 41-year-old former PDC world champion had earlier posted a photo appearing to vote for the party, saying: 'The amount of people I know that are voting Reform is unbelievable. First time I’ve ever voted in my life as well.'
The political intervention comes during a difficult period for Price, who admitted he is struggling with health problems after a heavy Premier League Darts defeat. He said: 'My focus is there, it’s just health-wise I am not in a great place at the moment.' Price also confirmed he will compete in the 2026 UK Open Pool Championship.
