Full Breakdown
Rhun ap Iorwerth Becomes Wales' First Minister After Plaid Cymru's Historic Senedd Victory
5/12/2026, 10:50:59 PM
Election Outcome and Seat Distribution
Plaid Cymru secured 43 of the 96 Senedd seats, Reform UK won 34, Labour fell to nine, the Conservatives to seven, the Greens to two and the Liberal Democrats to one. No party reached the 49-seat threshold for a majority. In the roll-call vote for first minister, Rhun ap Iorwerth received 44 votes, Dan Thomas 34, Darren Millar seven, with nine members abstaining.
Background: Labour's Century-Long Rule and the New Proportional List System
Labour had governed Wales for roughly a century, holding power for 27 consecutive years in the Senedd. The 2026 election was the first to use a closed proportional list system, designed to align seat allocation more closely with parties’ share of the popular vote.
Principal Actors
- Rhun ap Iorwerth – Leader of Plaid Cymru, newly elected first minister.
- Dan Thomas – Leader of Reform UK, opposition leader in the Senedd.
- Darren Millar – Leader of the Welsh Conservatives.
- Ken Skates – Interim leader of Welsh Labour.
- Kerry Ferguson – Plaid Cymru member elected deputy presiding officer.
- Baroness Eluned Morgan – Former first minister, whose seat was lost.
Policy Priorities and the Need for Alliances
Plaid’s programme pledges expanded childcare, action on child poverty and measures to ease the cost of living. Reform UK promises a “robust opposition” for left-behind communities and stresses a pro-union stance. Labour vows a “laser-like” focus on public-service improvement. With no majority, Plaid must secure support from Reform, the Greens or other parties to form a stable government.
Official Statements & Responses
Rhun ap Iorwerth said his administration will serve “every community, urban and rural, old and young, whether they speak Welsh or not,” and will seek “common ground” while inviting an alliance to deliver the election mandate. Dan Thomas pledged Reform will hold Plaid to account and represent “left-behind communities.” Ken Skates declared Labour will act as an “effective opposition” and scrutinise the new government. Darren Millar congratulated Rhun, warning that “the NHS isn’t working” and the economy is “stagnant.” Baroness Morgan praised Labour’s past achievements but noted “enormous pressures on public services.”
Criticism & Opposition
Darren Millar accused Plaid of “stitching-up” the presiding-officer role with Labour, calling the maneuver “unedifying.” Ken Skates described any potential coalition between Labour and Reform to block Plaid as “deeply unpleasant.” Some observers highlighted concerns about the NHS, a stagnant economy and the urgency of cost-of-living relief.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The Guardian reported that Rhun had not spoken with Reform leader Dan Thomas, yet a BBC source quotes Thomas congratulating Rhun and pledging robust opposition. The Independent noted that former first minister Eluned Morgan lost her seat, a detail absent from other accounts. These inconsistencies illustrate gaps in the public record of post-election negotiations.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Something has stirred in the soul of Wales,” — Rhun ap Iorwerth, New First Minister
- “To lead your country is the highest honour” — Darren Millar, Welsh Tory Senedd leader
- “We may only be a group of nine now, but above all we are a fellowship,” — Ken Skates, Interim Welsh Labour leader
- “inviting everyone to join us in an alliance, to pursue this mission on behalf of Wales” — Rhun ap Iorwerth, First Minister-designate
- “But there’s a deeper sense than that, too, of being able to make a stand together to call for less inequality within these islands.” — Rhun ap Iorwerth, BBC interview
What’s Next: Forming a Government and First Minister’s Questions
Rhun aims to be sworn in by early Tuesday and will convene weekly First Minister’s Questions. Negotiations with Reform, the Greens and other parties are expected to determine whether a confidence-and-supply pact or a formal coalition will underpin the new administration. The Senedd will also confirm the deputy presiding officer and other parliamentary offices in the coming days.
