Plaid Cymru ready to run Wales, leader says, after party wins Senedd vote

Sir Keir Starmer thanked Morgan for her service, calling her a formidable first minister and tireless champion for Wales.

Plaid Cymru appealed to voters to back them to stop Reform UK, a strategy Labour cited as behind Plaid's success; Labour also blamed the UK government for the losses.

Voters elected a larger Senedd for the first time, increasing seats from 60 to 96 across 16 large constituencies of six seats each.

Plaid Cymru, while pro-independence, sought to distance the issue during the campaign and said a commission would begin to build the case for an independent Wales in the first term.

No party has formally ruled out working with Plaid Cymru, unlike Reform UK, which Plaid, Labour, the Lib Dems and Greens have said they would refuse to assist.

29 MSs have returned from the last term, meaning about 70% of the new 96-member Senedd are new.

Only Pontypridd Cynon Merthyr and Ceredigion Penfro have female MSs outnumbering male ones.

The gender balance in the new Senedd improved to 46% female among the 2026 intake, with 52 male and 44 female MSs overall.

Presiding officer Elin Jones, the longest-serving member of the Senedd, was expected to quit the role when the new Senedd meets for the first time after the election.

Welsh Conservative leader Darren Millar returned to the Senedd, leading a group of seven Conservative MSs, as polls suggested a potential wipe-out for the party earlier in the campaign.

Jane Dodds, leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, returned to the Senedd and described it as a great honour to be back.

Llyr Powell was elected as a Reform MS in Blaenau Gwent Caerfilli Rhymni, joining the party’s presence in the Senedd.

Reform UK's Dan Thomas topped the poll in Casnewydd Islwyn and will become an MS, stating that Reform has momentum and could be the main contender for government.

The Welsh Green Party won two seats in Caerdydd Penarth and Caerdydd Fynnon Taf, marking its first representation in the Senedd; Welsh Green leader Anthony Slaughter described it as historic.

Eluned Morgan, the current first minister and Welsh Labour leader, lost her seat at her count in Llandysul and announced her resignation as Welsh Labour leader, taking responsibility for the result and congratulating Plaid Cymru on their success. She also urged the UK Labour government to change course.

The Senedd will need to confirm who will lead the Welsh government in a vote, which could happen as early as Tuesday (May 12, 2026).

Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth told cheering supporters in Llandudno that Plaid was ready to take the necessary steps to form the next government of Wales and would put his name forward to be nominated as the next first minister.