Wales election 2026: Results map as Labour loses control of Senedd for first time
Welsh Labour suffered its worst electoral defeat in over a century in the 2026 Senedd election, winning only nine seats and losing control of the assembly for the first time, while Plaid Cymru emerged as the largest party with 43 seats. The results forced Plaid Cymru to seek coalition partners, as no party secured a majority under the new proportional voting system, marking a historic shift in Welsh politics.
Welsh Labour suffered its worst electoral defeat in over a century in the 2026 Senedd election, securing just nine seats and losing control of the assembly for the first time. Plaid Cymru won 43 seats, becoming the largest party, while Reform UK followed with 34 seats. The Welsh Conservatives held seven seats, the Greens two, and the Liberal Democrats one. No party achieved the 49 seats needed for a majority, meaning Plaid Cymru must form a coalition to govern. Rhun ap Iorwerth, Plaid Cymru’s leader, stated his party is ready to take steps to form the next Welsh government. Welsh First Minister Baroness Morgan acknowledged the defeat but expressed pride in Labour’s past achievements, citing ongoing pressures on public services. This election introduced a new ‘closed proportional list system,’ designed to align seat distribution more closely with vote percentages. The results reflect a significant shift in Welsh politics, breaking decades of Labour dominance. Labour’s losses extended beyond Wales, with Keir Starmer confirming he would remain prime minister despite broader council defeats. Reform UK’s Nigel Farage described the outcome as a ‘historic shift’ in British politics, signaling an end to traditional Labour-Conservative dominance. The election marks the first time Wales used proportional representation, reshaping the political landscape.
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