AN electoral earthquake hit Wales today as results came in, with Plaid Cymru winning the most seats in the new Senedd and Reform UK running second.

Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth, who retained his seat in Bangor Conwy Mon, said Wales had “demanded change” in this election.

“Today is about the future of our communities here and our nation as a whole,” he said.

“As the story of this election has emerged today, it has become clear that Wales demanded that change of leadership.

“My sense of service to my community and my belief in our nation drives me every single day, and Plaid Cymru is ready to serve not just those who entrusted their votes to us here, but all of the citizens of Wales that have a stake in our nation’s future.”

Welsh Labour leader Eluned Morgan became the first sitting first minister to lose their seat when she failed to win her west Wales constituency of Ceredigion Penfro, her vote share collapsing to just 7 per cent.

Her party looked likely to be wiped out in north Wales, with no Labour Senedd members.

Ms Morgan said she was stepping down as Labour leader straight away and took full responsibility for Labour’s poor result, saying “we have to take a really hard look at ourselves.”

Labour has been reduced to just nine seats with Reform UK now becoming the official opposition.

With Gwynedd Maldwyn still to declare as we went to press, Plaid Cymru cannot be overtaken as the largest party, but will be without an overall majority.

Ken Skates managed to save Labour’s blushes in North Wales, retaining his Flint Wrecsan seat.

In Afan Ogwr Rhondda, there were 24,538 votes for Plaid Cymru and 11,123 votes for Labour, which means Wales’s Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies held onto his seat.

But in Nye Bevan’s hometown of Tredegar, the birthplace of the NHS in the constituency of Caerffili Rhymni, Labour failed to return any Senedd members.

The Greens secured their first ever Senedd seat with leader Anthony Slaughter winning in Caerdydd Penarth, and he was joined by Paul Rock in Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf, where former TUC Cymru general secretary Shavanah Taj also managed to win a seat for Labour.

Mr Slaughter said: “Welsh politics has changed forever today and Wales Green Party will now be playing a key role in that.

“Having a Green voice in the Senedd for the first time will make a huge difference to the political conversation in Wales, and I look forward to working with others to achieve our campaign, including helping with the cost of living, fixing the housing crisis and protecting the natural environment of Wales.”

Turnout was expected to top 50 per cent for a Senedd election for the first time since devolution.

The total seats are: Plaid Cymru 43, Reform 34, Labour Party 9, Conservative Party 7, Welsh Greens 2, Liberal Democrats 1.