Lindsay Whittle elected as Member of the Senedd for Caerphilly

Plaid Cymru have gained Caerphilly from Labour in a major by-election victory – six months before key Senedd elections.

 

Plaid Cymru candidate Lindsay Whittle defeated Reform UK candidate Llyr Powell and Labour’s Richard Tunnicliffe respectively.

 

The victory marks a historic win for Plaid Cymru and a seismic political shift in Wales, signalling the collapse of Labour’s vote and a new two-horse race between Plaid Cymru and Reform UK ahead of the 2026 Senedd election.

Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth said the people of Caerphilly had voted for ‘positive change’ and that the result confirmed that only Plaid Cymru could stop Reform in Wales and that Labour’s time was over.

 

Plaid Cymru Leader Rhun ap Iorwerth said,

 

“Tonight, the people of Caerphilly have spoken loud and clear. They’ve chosen hope over division, and progress over the tired status quo, and backed Plaid Cymru’s positive, pro-Wales vision.

 

“Lindsay Whittle is a tireless local champion who knows every community in this constituency inside out and will deliver real change for the people of Caerphilly.

 

“This result shows that Plaid is no longer just an alternative. We are now the real choice for Wales, the only party able to stop billionaire-backed Reform and offering a better future that works for everyone.

 

“The message from Caerphilly is clear: Wales is ready for new leadership, and Plaid Cymru is leading the way.”

 

Plaid Cymru candidate and Senedd member-elect for Caerphilly Lindsay Whittle said,

 

“I want to thank everyone who put their trust in me and Plaid Cymru to represent Caerphilly. It will be my honour to serve you as your new member of the Senedd.

 

“I’m ready to get to work straight away by making sure our local schools are properly supported, our libraries stay open, our GPs see people when they need to, and that everyone in Caerphilly gets the same chance to do well.

 

“I’ve spent my whole life fighting for this community, and I won’t stop now.

 

“Tonight’s result shows what’s possible when people come together to back practical solutions and protect what matters most. We’ve beaten billionaire-backed Reform, and with the same determination, we can do it again in May 2026. Caerphilly has shown the way - now Wales must follow.”

 

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POLLING BOOST FOR PLAID IN CAERPHILLY

The latest independent polling suggests Plaid Cymru has taken the lead in the upcoming by-election for the Senedd constituency of Caerphilly.

A major summer poll by Find Out Now found that Labour and the Conservatives had slumped, with support switching to Plaid Cymru and Reform.

Applying the standard Uniform National Swing (UNS) calculation to the poll projects that the result in the Caerphilly constituency would see Plaid on top with 35%, ahead of Reform on 29% and Labour trailing in third on 24%.

Three major companies – members of the industry-standard British Polling Council - have conducted Senedd polls in Wales over the summer. All the polls; by YouGov for ITV, More in Common for Sky News, as well as Find Out Now, show Plaid leading in Caerphilly by the UNS calculation.

Plaid Cymru’s Rhun ap Iorwerth said,

“These polls echo what we’re hearing from Caerphilly. People are fed up of being taken for granted by Labour and the Tories.

“They know that Plaid’s Lindsay Whittle was a close second in the General Election last July, and are switching to support Plaid Cymru for this by-election.

“A large majority of people in Caerphilly don’t want Reform and their Trump-style brand of divisive politics. Labour are clearly trailing, so voters are turning to Plaid Cymru to send a message that Caerphilly and Wales won’t be taken for granted.”

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LINDSAY WHITTLE FOR CAERPHILLY

Plaid Cymru has chosen renowned local campaigner Lindsay Whittle to contest the forthcoming Senedd by-election in Caerphilly on 23 October.

Lindsay, who was brought up in Caerphilly and is a popular and long-standing councillor in Penyrheol and leader of the Plaid group on Caerphilly Council, was a close second to Labour in last year’s Westminster General Election. 

Plaid Cymru have since seen their support surge in national opinion polls.

“The circumstances of this by-election, which arose after the death of Hefin David, are of course tremendously sad and my thoughts remain with Hefin’s loved ones.” said Lindsay Whittle.

“The people of Caerphilly deserve a passionate local representative in the Senedd. I’m determined to offer a positive agenda, to give this area a fair deal.”

Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth said,

“Lindsay Whittle has a long record of standing up for his community and would be a real asset in the Senedd.

“People locally feel let down and taken for granted by the Labour Government.

"NHS waiting lists remain high. Schools are underfunded. Councils are struggling to deliver essential services.

"On top of the ongoing high cost of living, we’ve seen cuts to the Winter Fuel Allowance and increases in National Insurance for small businesses. And Wales isn’t getting a fair deal on funding for public services.

“After 26 years of Labour, people are increasingly unhappy with how Wales has been run. They see overstretched services, wasted opportunities and little ambition and they’re looking for change.

“Voters in Caerphilly know that they can trust Plaid Cymru to put Wales’s interests first every time.”

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