Plaid Cymru win Caerphilly by-election
Plaid Cymru's Lindsay Whittle finished with 15,961 votes
Last updated 24th Oct 2025
After weeks of campaigning and close-knit polling Lindsay Whittle for Plaid Cymru has taken the prized seat of Caerphilly.
Labour has led the Welsh Parliament since the devolved administration was first established in 1999 and Caerphilly has long been one of its strongholds.
Recent polling had forecast Plaid Cymru and Reform UK to be the two biggest parties in Wales next year.
"Tonight's result shows what's possible when people come together"
Mr Whittle said: "I've spent my whole life fighting for this community, and I won't stop now.
"Tonight's result shows what's possible when people come together to back practical solutions and protect what matters most.
"We've beaten billionaire-backed Reform and, with the same determination, we can do it again in May 2026. Caerphilly has shown the way - now Wales must follow."
Final voting numbers:
Roger Quilliam – UKIP - 79
Anthony Cook – Gwlad - 117
Steve Aicheler - Welsh Liberal Democrats - 497
Gareth Hughes - Green Party - 516
Gareth Potter - Welsh Conservatives - 690
Richard Tunnicliffe - Welsh Labour – 3,713
Llyr Powell - Reform UK – 12,113
Lindsay Whittle - Plaid Cymru – 15,961
Plaid Cymru's win in the by-election could be a real indication for the Senedd election next May and will certainly be treated as such by the winning party.
The by-election was called following the sudden death of Hefin David, who had served as Member of the Senedd for Caerphilly since 2016.
Welsh Labour Leader and First Minister, Eluned Morgan said: “This was a by-election in the toughest of circumstances, and in the midst of difficult headwinds nationally.
"I want to thank our candidate, Richard Tunnicliffe - a good man who stood because of his desire to serve his community.
“I congratulate Lindsey Whittle on his victory tonight. He returns to the Senedd, continuing his many decades of elected service to people in Caerphilly.
“Welsh Labour has heard the frustration on doorsteps in Caerphilly that the need to feel change in people’s lives has not been quick enough. We take our share of the responsibility for this result. We are listening, we are learning the lessons, and we will be come back stronger."
The result also comes in the run-up to a vote on the next Welsh Government budget, which has heaped even more pressure on the Labour campaign.
When passing its last budget in March, the Government needed the help of an opposition member to get it through by a tight margin.
While Labour is the largest party in the Senedd, it does not have a majority, and the next budget vote in January could be even more difficult if the party loses the Caerphilly seat.