Plaid proves populist right can be defeated

The Caerphilly by-election result was a blow for Labour and a boost for Plaid Cymru - but most significantly it was a setback for Reform UK.

- Ian Swanson

Nigel Farage's party had poured massive resources into the by-election campaign and talked up its prospects of winning the once safe Labour seat. It hoped a triumph in Caerphilly would be a prelude to sweeping gains in next year's Welsh Senedd elections.

Instead, Plaid stormed to victory with 47 per cent of the vote, leaving Reform trailing in second place with 36 per cent. Labour was reduced to 11 per cent, putting them in third place, with the Tories almost wiped out, finishing in fourth place with just 2 per cent.