WELSH communists reacted to the rise of the far-right in Wales today and the electorate’s demand for real political change.

The Welsh Communist Party ran two candidates, because of the costs of standing for the Senedd, with Jaime Fitter in Bangor Conwy Mon, north Wales and former general secretary Rob Griffiths in Caerdydd Penarth.

Party secretary Dominic MacAskill said: “The Welsh Communist Party’s vibrant and policy-rich election campaign highlighted the real change policies that would deliver a fair, green and socialist Wales.

“The Communist Party believes the best chance to enact some of these policies would be through the formation of a progressive coalition with extra-parliamentary pressure and support of a necessarily resurgent trade union movement.”

The party said the results marked a disastrous day for Welsh Labour, tarnished and made toxic by the Labour Westminster government’s complicity in imperialism’s wars and its continued pursuit of Tory austerity policies.

Mr MacAskill added: “But we can’t ignore the meteoric rise of Reform UK in Wales, which evidences a widespread disillusionment with establishment parties and a desire, however misplaced, for real political change.”

Trade unions are examining how Reform UK has attracted some members’ votes and support in working-class constituencies hard hit by austerity policies.

TUC Cymru is holding a special general council on Monday afternoon to look at the results in Wales and to decide how it reacts and what it will seek from the next Welsh government.

Acting general secretaries Julie Cook and Linsey Imms said: “Whatever the result of the Senedd election, our priority remains standing up for working people in Wales.

“We will seek to ensure the next government protects jobs, pay, public services and workers’ rights.”