The Welsh First Minister and Labour leader, Eluned Morgan, is projected to lose her seat in the Senedd as counting gets underway in the Welsh elections. Her defeat would automatically trigger a leadership contest, as Senedd rules require party leaders to be sitting Members of the Senedd (MS).
Labour's disastrous night
Welsh Labour is expected to secure only around 10 seats in the 60-member Senedd, marking a catastrophic result for the party. The party has already acknowledged the loss of several respected MSs and expressed deep disappointment at being unable to form a government. In a statement, Labour said it would regroup and work to rebuild its vote, facing stiff competition from Reform UK, Plaid Cymru, and the Green Party.
Broader political implications
The collapse of Labour's vote in Wales mirrors the party's struggles across the UK, with Reform UK making significant gains. Despite the setbacks, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has vowed not to resign, insisting Labour can recover. However, the Welsh result raises questions about the party's future direction and its ability to hold onto its traditional strongholds.
