But solace for Labour in Wales as party extends hold on power
LABOUR took a crumb of comfort from a resounding victory in Wales where it matched an election record by securing 30 of the 60 Welsh Assembly seats.
Mark Drakeford, who is set to continue as Wales’ First Minister in the Senedd, promised that his government would be ‘ radical’ and ‘ambitious’.
Despite falling one seat short of an overall majority, Labour will be able to govern for the next five years without needing to strike a deal with Plaid Cymru, who were overtaken by the Conservatives in the battle for second place.
‘A government I lead will continue to follow the science to do what our medical advisers tells us we should do, and that does mean doing things in a way that continues to keep Wales safe,’ said Mr Drakeford who became a familiar figure on UK television with his pronouncements on Covid-19 during the pandemic. ‘But on other matters, our manifesto is a radical manifesto with a host of ideas that are ambitious for Wales.
He added: ‘I’ll be very keen to ensure that we give that the most powerful sense of momentum behind it to get those things happening here in Wales.’
Labour – which matched its record high of 30 seats – has held power in Cardiff since devolution took effect 22 years ago. The Welsh Conservatives are now the second largest party in the Welsh Parliament, with 16 seats after making gains on both the constituency and regional list.
The party took the Vale of Clwyd from Labour for the first time in 22 years and picked up Brecon and Radnorshire from the Liberal Democrats.
Andrew RT Davies, the leader of the Welsh Conservatives, said: ‘ The team has gone above and beyond and deserve great credit for the positive campaign we’ve run right across Wales.’
Plaid Cymru picked up 13 seats but former party leader Leanne Wood suffered a humiliating defeat in Rhondda where she lost her seat to Labour.