‘Respect the democratic vote’: Rob Stewart backs Mike Hedges after anonymous Welsh Labour call for him to quit Senedd seat

Swansea Council leader Rob Stewart has publicly thrown his weight behind Mike Hedges – declaring his “full support” for the city’s only Welsh Labour MS and insisting voters’ democratic verdict at the ballot box must be respected.

The intervention comes less than 24 hours after Swansea Bay News reported that a senior Welsh Labour figure had urged Hedges to resign mid-term to make way for Stewart – meaning the Council leader could enter the Senedd without facing the electorate again.

Stewart – who was Welsh Labour’s second-placed candidate on the Gwyr Abertawe list and was not elected last week – publicly rejected that route in a statement posted to his Facebook account on Sunday afternoon.

“Let me be clear,” Stewart said. “As a democratic nation we should all respect the democratic vote and decision of the public.”

The Council leader said Hedges had been rightly elected at the top of the Welsh Labour list and had his backing.

“Each party ranks its candidates in the new list system and Mike was top of our list and was rightly elected,” Stewart said. “He has my full support.”

Stewart also pointedly underlined how the new D’Hondt voting system works – and the fact that any seat replacement would happen without a public vote.

“Under the new system any candidate stepping down is replaced by someone from the same party – the next on their list,” he said. “There are no by-elections in this system.”

The Council leader explained the reasoning behind that mechanic, saying voters had been asked to back a party rather than an individual.

“This is because it’s a PR system,” he said. “And in that system the voters are asked to vote for a party – not a person.”

The statement marks the most significant public intervention so far from any Welsh Labour figure in Swansea on the question of mid-term resignations – and effectively shuts down the suggestion that Stewart would accept a back-door route into the Senedd.

It comes after Swansea Bay News reported on Saturday that a senior Welsh Labour figure – speaking anonymously to Welsh political journalist Will Hayward – had urged Hedges and fellow long-serving Welsh Labour MS Lynne Neagle to resign mid-term to allow second-placed candidates on Welsh Labour’s lists to take their seats.

The same source had branded Welsh Labour “functionally broken” and called for a total overhaul of the party – accusing it of a decade-long failure to confront its own decline.

Stewart’s statement neither names the anonymous source nor responds directly to the wider criticisms levelled at the party – instead focusing on the specific question of Hedges’ position and the legitimacy of the democratic process.

The Council leader’s full backing of Hedges is significant. As the second-placed candidate on the Welsh Labour list, Stewart would be the direct beneficiary of any Hedges resignation – and his public rejection of that route effectively rules out one of the scenarios floated by the anonymous Welsh Labour source.

Hedges himself has not commented publicly on the anonymous call for him to step down.

The Welsh Labour party has not formally responded to either intervention.

Welsh Labour was reduced to just nine seats at last week’s Senedd election, down from 30 in the previous Senedd, with the party wiped out entirely in six constituencies. Mike Hedges is the only Welsh Labour Member of the Senedd for Swansea.

Plaid Cymru emerged as the largest party with 43 seats, with Reform UK securing a historic 34 seats. Plaid leader Rhun ap Iorwerth is expected to lead a minority government as Wales’ next First Minister.

Stewart – who has been Council leader since 2017 – will remain in his role at Swansea Council, where Welsh Labour holds an overall majority and is expected to face the city’s voters at the council elections next year.

Our Senedd Election 2026 coverage

Mike Hedges should quit Senedd seat for Rob Stewart, senior Welsh Labour figure says
The anonymous intervention that branded Welsh Labour ‘functionally broken’ and called for two MSs to make way for new talent.

Mike Hedges warns Wales could face another election next year
The newly re-elected Swansea Labour MS on the prospect of an early Senedd election if Plaid’s first budget falls.

Gwyr Abertawe: Plaid top the poll as Reform UK and Labour also take seats
How Swansea voted – and how Mike Hedges held on as the city’s only Welsh Labour MS.

Rhun ap Iorwerth to lead Plaid minority government
What happens next as Plaid prepares to take power.

Ken Skates appointed interim Welsh Labour leader
Welsh Labour picks up the pieces after being reduced to nine seats.

#CllrRobStewart #GŵyrAbertawe #MikeHedges #MikeHedgesMS #RobStewart #SeneddElection2026 #WelshLabour

SWANSEA: Mike Hedges should quit Senedd seat for Rob Stewart, senior Welsh Labour figure says in scathing attack on ‘functionally broken’ party

Newly re-elected Swansea Member of the Senedd Mike Hedges should resign mid-term to make way for new talent – and his replacement could be Swansea Council leader Rob Stewart, walking into the Senedd without facing voters again.

That is the explosive demand from a senior Welsh Labour figure who has launched a scathing attack on the party’s record – declaring Welsh Labour “functionally broken” and accusing it of a decade-long failure to confront its own decline.

The intervention – first reported by Welsh political journalist Will Hayward – comes less than 48 hours after Hedges held on as the only Welsh Labour MS for Swansea following the party’s catastrophic election defeat.

The senior Welsh Labour source, who is not named, said it was “perhaps too much to hope” that Hedges and fellow long-serving Welsh Labour MS Lynne Neagle would realise they should resign mid-term to let “talented, second-place candidates” take their seats.

That second-place candidate in Swansea is Rob Stewart – meaning the leader of Swansea Council could enter Wales’ parliament without facing the electorate again, if Hedges were to step aside.

Under the new D’Hondt voting system used at this week’s election, when a sitting MS resigns mid-term their seat passes to the next eligible candidate on their party’s list – rather than triggering a by-election.

Stewart was not elected at this week’s election. Plaid Cymru topped the poll in Gwyr Abertawe with three seats, Reform UK took two, and Hedges held on as Welsh Labour’s number one candidate. Stewart, sitting in second place on the list, missed out as Welsh Labour’s vote collapsed across the city.

The senior figure’s broader assessment of the party was devastating.

Welsh Labour, the source said, “requires a total overhaul; it is functionally broken and will not be fixed overnight.”

The defeat had been “a decade in the making” – they argued – claiming Welsh Labour had repeatedly avoided an honest reckoning with its record in government and instead chosen “to paper over the cracks.”

The source took aim at Welsh Labour’s recent campaign messaging, dismissing slogans such as “partnership in power” and “two governments working together” as vapid – and arguing the party had abandoned its mantle as the party that would stand up for Wales.

Blame for the result, they said, lay across the party – with MSs who failed to step up in the Senedd, with MPs who spent years chasing Reform UK voters and with party factions and unions who had “treated leadership contests as personality contests” or “extensions of Westminster paranoia.”

The source argued that rushing into a permanent leadership contest would be a mistake – calling instead for potential candidates to be required to listen to voters first and present a concrete plan for the future.

The intervention also called for Welsh Labour to scrap the deputy leader role entirely, or fundamentally redefine it.

And in a striking line, the source warned others not to scapegoat party staff for the defeat. “Watch out for those who pin defeat mostly on the staff,” they said – “and then ask what their voter contact rate was.”

The intervention is the latest sign of significant internal turmoil within Welsh Labour following the historic election result, in which the party was reduced from 30 seats in the previous Senedd to just nine.

It comes only hours after Welsh Labour’s new interim leader Ken Skates – elected unanimously by the new Welsh Labour group on Saturday morning – acknowledged the scale of the defeat and admitted the party “got it wrong.”

Welsh Labour has not formally responded to the comments. Mike Hedges has not commented publicly on the suggestion that he should resign mid-term, and Rob Stewart has not commented on whether he would take a Senedd seat through such a route.

The new 96-seat Senedd will sit for the first time in the coming weeks, with Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth set to lead a minority government following his party’s election as the largest in the chamber with 43 seats.

Reform UK secured a historic 34 seats and Welsh Labour just nine, with the Welsh Conservatives on seven, the Wales Green Party on two and the Welsh Liberal Democrats on one.

Swansea Bay News will continue to cover developments as the new Welsh Labour leadership contest takes shape and the new Welsh Government is formed.

Our Senedd Election 2026 coverage

Mike Hedges warns Wales could face another election next year
The newly re-elected Swansea Labour MS on the prospect of an early Senedd election if Plaid’s first budget falls.

Gwyr Abertawe: Plaid top the poll as Reform UK and Labour also take seats
How Swansea voted – and how Mike Hedges held on as the city’s only Welsh Labour MS.

Rhun ap Iorwerth to lead Plaid minority government after historic victory ends 27 years of Labour rule
What happens next as Plaid prepares to take power.

Ken Skates appointed interim Welsh Labour leader after historic Senedd defeat
Welsh Labour picks up the pieces after being reduced to nine seats.

First Minister Eluned Morgan loses seat and resigns as Welsh Labour leader
The historic moment Wales’ First Minister became the first leader of any UK government to lose her seat while in office.

#CllrRobStewart #featured #MikeHedges #MikeHedgesMS #RobStewart #SeneddElection2026 #WelshLabour

SWANSEA: Cabinet member Robert Francis-Davies dies — tributes paid to ‘true Swansea legend’ after 43 years of service

Cllr Robert Francis-Davies, one of the most prominent figures in Swansea public life, has died.

The Morriston councillor had served Swansea Council for 43 years and was cabinet member for investment, regeneration, tourism and events at the time of his death.

Cllr Rob Stewart announced the news on Friday morning, saying he had learned of it with huge sadness.

Mr Stewart described Francis-Davies — known affectionately as RFD — as “a true Swansea legend and an absolute force of nature who worked tirelessly for the people of Morriston and Swansea for 43 years.”

The council leader said his thoughts were with Francis-Davies’s family — named as Suzanne, Rebecca, Andrew and Rachel — at what he described as a deeply difficult time.

Mr Stewart credited Francis-Davies with helping oversee the building of the Swansea.com stadium and the National Waterfront Museum, saying he had delivered “such positive change” across his decades on the council.

He was also instrumental in bringing major events to the city, including Proms in the Park and the Wales Airshow, and was said to be a lifelong supporter of Swansea City AFC.

Francis-Davies was a proud advocate of the Swansea barrage and worked to ensure the continued development of the River Tawe corridor.

Mr Stewart said he was “an irreplaceable figure in the council” and that Swansea would not be the same without him.

Over four decades in the council chamber, Francis-Davies held a range of senior positions — including vice-chair of the housing committee, vice-chair of the finance committee, chair of the economic development committee and chair of the legal services committee.

Beyond his council work, he served as a past executive member of the Museums Association, chair of the Council of Museums in Wales, and board member of Les Rencontres — an organisation representing European cities of culture.

Morgans Hotel in Swansea was among the first organisations to pay tribute publicly, saying it was saddened to learn of his passing.

The hotel recalled that Francis-Davies had laid the foundation stone at the venue on 18 February 2002, and said it had always been grateful for his support over the years that followed.

Its flag was lowered to half-mast on Friday as a mark of respect, with the hotel describing him as a man who had done “so much for the city.”

Swansea City AFC also paid tribute, describing Francis-Davies as “a driving force in the plans for the ground coming to fruition.” The club said the thoughts of everyone at Swansea City were with his friends, family and colleagues at this very sad time.

Francis-Davies is survived by his wife Suzanne and their children Rebecca, Andrew and Rachel. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

#CllrRobStewart #CllrRobertFrancisDavies #Swansea #SwanseaCouncil

GWYR ABERTAWE: Plaid Cymru top the poll as Reform UK and Labour also take seats — Mike Hedges holds for Welsh Labour

Plaid Cymru has topped the poll in Gwyr Abertawe – taking three of the constituency’s six Senedd seats in a result that confirms the political shift now sweeping across south Wales.

Reform UK took two seats and Welsh Labour took the remaining seat – with veteran Swansea politician Mike Hedges holding on as the city’s only Labour Member of the Senedd.

The result was declared this evening at the Gwyr Abertawe count by Returning Officer Martin Nicholls.

Plaid Cymru topped the poll with 25,076 votes, ahead of Reform UK on 21,641. Welsh Labour received 11,195 votes – a fraction of its previous performance in Swansea.

The Welsh Conservatives received 7,523 votes, the Wales Green Party 6,383 and the Welsh Liberal Democrats 6,262. None won a seat in the constituency.

The six new Members of the Senedd for Gwyr Abertawe are:

• Gwyn Williams (Plaid Cymru)
• Francesca O’Brien (Reform UK)
• Safa Elhassan (Plaid Cymru)
• Mike Hedges (Welsh Labour)
• Steven Rodaway (Reform UK)
• John Davies (Plaid Cymru)

Francesca O’Brien (left) and Steven Rodaway following their election as Reform UK Senedd Members for Gŵyr Abertawe. Picture: Reform UK / Facebook

Mike Hedges’ re-election ensures Welsh Labour retains a presence in Swansea – but represents a significant reduction for a party that has long counted the city among its strongholds.

Hedges was Labour’s first-placed candidate in Gwyr Abertawe. Swansea Council leader Rob Stewart, who was Labour’s second-placed candidate, was not elected.

The result also marks the election of Reform UK’s first ever Members of the Senedd for Swansea – with Francesca O’Brien and Steven Rodaway both elected.

O’Brien had earlier today predicted on BBC Radio Wales Breakfast that Welsh Labour would collapse, describing the election as a referendum on First Minister Eluned Morgan and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

Plaid Cymru’s three new MS – Gwyn Williams, Safa Elhassan and John Davies – represent a significant breakthrough for the party in a constituency where it has not historically been the dominant force.

The constituency recorded a turnout of 50.9% – just below the national average of 51.65%, which itself was a record for a Senedd election.

The Gwyr Abertawe electorate stands at 155,120, with 78,924 ballot papers issued. A total of 187 ballot papers were rejected and not counted.

In response to the result, Council leader Rob Stewart praised Hedges and said he was looking forward to him continuing to work for Swansea at Cardiff Bay.

“I want to thank everyone who voted for our Labour team in Gwyr Abertawe today,” Stewart said. “I am looking forward to Mike Hedges returning to the Senedd and continuing to work extremely hard for Swansea, as he has done since 2011.”

Eluned photographed with the Senedd candidates, credit: Jennifer Ann Photography L-R Rebecca Fogarty, Mike Hedges, Eluned Morgan, Rebecca Francis- Davies, Rob Stewart, Patience Bentu

Stewart acknowledged the difficulty of the result. “Obviously, this is not the result we worked for,” he said. “Nationally, it has been a really difficult night for Welsh Labour and UK Labour.”

He paid tribute to Welsh Labour’s record in government. “I’m proud of what the Labour Welsh Governments have delivered for Wales over many years,” he said.

Stewart said the threat of Reform UK had been a major factor on the doorstep. “Clearly the threat of Reform has been at the forefront of many voters’ minds, and we heard on the door that when people could not give us their vote this time, they didn’t want to go to Reform and have clearly opted for Plaid Cymru,” he said.

He added that he had not detected significant enthusiasm for Plaid’s vision. “While I understand the voters’ logic, I haven’t detected any great love for Plaid’s vision for Wales,” Stewart said. “However, they appear to have done well, and we will respect that.”

Stewart said Welsh Labour had to listen carefully to voters. “We must also be prepared to reflect carefully and listen with humility to the people,” he said. “There must be no dodging, no deflection, just determination to put things right and redouble our efforts to deliver at all levels on the things we promised.”

The Council leader said his focus would now be on local delivery. “Here in Swansea, my work continues and will increase in pace,” he said. “The work Swansea Labour has been doing resonated with voters on the door, and clearly we will be standing on our record of delivery at next year’s elections.”

He pointed to investment in the city as the foundation for that record. “We’ll stand on the billion-pound investment in Swansea, the new homes, new schools, better jobs and opportunities, and our drive to keep building a better Swansea together,” he said.

Stewart said he would continue as Council leader. “As Leader of this great city, I will keep doing all I can to improve people’s lives and lead the delivery of that better Swansea,” he said.

He thanked party members and supporters. “My sincere and heartfelt thanks go to the volunteers, activists, members and supporters who gave everything to this campaign,” he said.

And he paid tribute to Eluned Morgan, who lost her own seat in Ceredigion Penfro this afternoon and resigned as Welsh Labour leader. “Special thanks also go to Eluned Morgan, who has led Welsh Labour with distinction, empathy and heart through a genuinely difficult time,” Stewart said.

Stewart also paid tribute to Rebecca Evans and Julie James, who stepped down at this election after long service in the Senedd. “I also want to wish Rebecca Evans and Julie James well in whatever they do next,” he said. “They have stepped down from the Senedd after long and distinguished service to Gower and Swansea West.”

The Gwyr Abertawe result follows a similar pattern to other south Wales constituencies declared earlier today – with Welsh Labour reduced to a single seat or wiped out entirely in the face of a Plaid Cymru and Reform UK surge.

Across Wales, polling expert Sir John Curtice has projected Plaid Cymru will win between 41 and 46 seats – short of the 49 needed for an overall majority – with Reform UK on 32 to 34.

That makes coalition negotiations almost certain to follow once all 16 constituencies have declared.

Two constituencies remain to declare this evening – Gwynedd Maldwyn and Fflint Wrecsam.

Our Senedd Election 2026 coverage

First Minister Eluned Morgan loses seat and resigns as Welsh Labour leader
The historic moment Wales’ First Minister became the first leader of any UK government to lose her seat while in office.

Sir Gaerfyrddin: Reform UK and Plaid Cymru take three seats each as Welsh Labour wiped out
Adam Price returns to the Senedd as Reform UK secures its first ever west Wales breakthrough.

Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd: Reform UK tops the poll as Jane Dodds holds on for the Welsh Lib Dems
Reform UK takes three seats in the upper Swansea Valley, Powys and Neath – with Welsh Labour wiped out entirely.

Welsh Labour bracing for historic loss as counting begins
Our overnight roundup of the political mood as counting got under way across Wales.

What does a Welsh defeat mean for Keir Starmer?
Senior Welsh Labour figures have called for the prime minister to consider his position if the result is as bad as predicted.

#CllrRobStewart #FrancescaOBrien #GwynWilliams #JohnDavies #MikeHedgesMS #PlaidCymru #ReformUK #SafaElhassan #SeneddElection2026 #StevenRodaway #WelshLabour

SENEDD ELECTION: Plaid on course to make history as largest party — but here’s who’s actually set to represent YOU on May 7

Wales is heading for a political earthquake on May 7, according to the most detailed poll yet published ahead of the Senedd election.

Research group More in Common has released its first MRP — a sophisticated seat-by-seat modelling technique that goes far beyond standard polling — and the findings represent a dramatic moment in Welsh politics.

Plaid Cymru is projected to win 30 seats, making it the largest party in the 96-seat Senedd for the first time since devolution in 1999. Reform UK is close behind on 28, with Labour falling to just 24 — a historic collapse for a party that has governed Wales continuously for 27 years.

The Conservatives are forecast to hold seven seats, the Greens four, and the Liberal Democrats three.

Luke Tryl, Executive Director of More in Common UK, said the scale of the shift was extraordinary. “Looking at Wales today, it’s hard to believe that the 2024 general election was less than two years ago — the political map has changed so dramatically since Labour won decisively in Wales,” he said.

“Having governed in Wales for 28 years, Labour is set to be pushed into third place — and for the first time we could see Wales led by a non-Labour First Minister. Plaid Cymru are the clear beneficiaries of a country ready for change, and could be on course to lead a Welsh government for the first time.”

The polling, carried out between January 30 and April 10 with a sample of 2,519 Welsh adults aged 16 and over, shows implied vote shares of 25% each for Plaid Cymru and Reform UK, 21% for Labour, 11% for the Conservatives, 10% for the Greens, and 7% for the Liberal Democrats. Independents and other candidates are polling at under 2% in most constituencies and are not projected to win any seats under this model.

Image: Senedd Implied Voting Intention bar chart — Source: More in Common, March and April 2026

It is the more conservative of two recent MRPs: a JL Partners poll for the Telegraph, published last week, put Plaid on 37 seats — a more commanding lead still.

Image: Wales constituency map showing projected winners — Source: More in Common, April 2026

What it means for your area — and who you’ll be voting for

Wales is using a closed list proportional representation system for the first time in this election, meaning voters choose a party rather than an individual candidate. Seats are then allocated in order from each party’s published list. That means we can say not just which parties are likely to win seats — but exactly who those winners are likely to be.

Gŵyr Abertawe (Swansea)

Reform UK’s Francesca O’BrienSwansea Council leader, Rob Stewart (Photo: Adam Davies)Plaid Cymru’s Gwyn Williams

The Swansea constituency is projected as a dead heat, with each of the top three parties taking two seats apiece on virtually identical vote shares.

Reform UK lead on 25%, ahead of Plaid Cymru on 24% and Labour on 22%. Both Reform UK candidates Francesca O’Brien — the Mumbles ward councillor who defected from the Welsh Conservatives to Reform UK last August, having previously served as the party’s deputy leader in Swansea — and Steven Rodaway would be elected. Labour’s two seats would go to former MS Mike Hedges and Swansea council leader Rob Stewart. Plaid Cymru would return Gwyn Williams and Safa Elhassan.

The Greens are on 10% and the Conservatives also on 10%, with neither projected to win a seat here.

Sir Gaerfyrddin (Carmarthenshire)

Plaid Cymru’s Cefin CampbellReform UK’s Gareth BeerWelsh Labour’s Calum Higgins

Plaid Cymru are dominant in Carmarthenshire, polling at 37% — well ahead of Reform UK on 26% and Labour on 21%.

That translates to three seats for Plaid: Cefin Campbell, Nerys Evans, and former party leader Adam Price would all be returned. Reform UK’s Gareth Beer and Carmelo Colasanto would take two seats, and Labour’s Calum Higgins would hold the sixth and final place.

Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd (Neath Port Talbot/Brecon)

James Evans speaking at a Reform UK event after confirming he has joined the party. (Image: Reform UK)Welsh Labour’s Dr. Mahaboob BashaPlaid Cymru’s Sioned Williams

This is the most fragmented constituency in our area, with six different parties projected to win one seat each — one of the most competitive contests in all of Wales.

Reform UK lead on 27%, with Labour on 21%, Plaid on 19%, the Liberal Democrats on 13%, the Conservatives on 11%, and the Greens on 10%. On those figures the elected members would be: Reform UK’s James Oswald David Evans and Iain Charles McIntosh; Labour’s Dr Mahaboob Basha; Plaid Cymru’s Sioned Williams MS; Liberal Democrats’ Jane Dodds MS; and Conservative Tyler John Chambers.

Pen-y-bont Bro Morgannwg (Bridgend)

Reform UK’s Sarah Cooper-LesaddPlaid Cymru’s Mark HooperWelsh Labour’s Sarah Murphy

Bridgend mirrors the Swansea picture — a three-way tie with two seats each for Reform UK, Plaid Cymru, and Labour. Reform poll 27%, Plaid 24%, and Labour 24%.

Sarah Cooper-Lesadd and Gareth Thomas would be elected for Reform; Mark Hooper and Sarah Rees for Plaid; and Sarah Murphy and Huw John David for Labour.

Afan Ogwr Rhondda (Neath Port Talbot/Rhondda)

Reform UK’s Ben Hodge-McKennaPlaid Cymru’s Sera EvansWelsh Labour’s Huw Irranca Davies

This is Reform UK’s strongest projected result in our area. They lead on 36% — ahead of Plaid Cymru on 25% and Labour on 21% — and are projected to win three of the six seats.

Benjamin Hodge McKenna, Steve Bayliss, and Darren James would all be elected for Reform. Plaid’s Sera Evans and Alun Cox would take two seats, with Labour’s Huw Irranca-Davies — currently serving as Deputy First Minister — narrowly holding on with the sixth seat.

Ceredigion Penfro (Pembrokeshire)

Plaid Cymru’s Elin JonesWelsh Conservative’s Paul DaviesWelsh Labour’s Eluned Morgan

Plaid Cymru dominate Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion with 38% of the vote, projected to win three seats. The current Llywydd (Speaker) Elin Jones would top their list, followed by Kerry Elizabeth Ferguson and Anna Nicholl.

Reform UK’s Susan Claire Archibald would take one seat on 20%, and former Conservative Senedd leader Paul Windsor Davies would be returned for the Conservatives on 14%.

In a notable shift from some earlier polls, First Minister Eluned Morgan MS would retain her seat as Labour’s sole representative in the constituency on 14%. Previous MRP modelling had placed her seat at serious risk — this poll suggests she survives, though the margin remains tight.

A volatile result

Image: Chart showing how small changes in support could significantly alter seat totals — Source: More in Common, April 2026

More in Common highlight that the outcome remains fluid. Labour and Reform hold or contest the final seat in a large number of constituencies, meaning minor swings in support on polling day could shift the overall totals significantly either way.

What is beyond doubt is that Wales is heading for a result that would have been unthinkable even five years ago — a Senedd led by Plaid Cymru for the first time, with the party that barely existed in Welsh politics two years ago threatening to become the dominant force from Swansea to the Valleys.

More in Common’s full MRP data is available at moreincommon.org.uk. The Senedd election takes place on Thursday, May 7, 2026.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

SENEDD SHAKE-UP: Winners and losers revealed as First Minister on course to lose seat
An earlier poll had put Eluned Morgan’s seat at serious risk — this latest MRP now says she survives.

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Reform UK pulls ahead as Plaid slips and Labour edges back in new Senedd poll
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WRU doubles down on three-team plan after EGM as Ospreys supporters warn of “lasting damage” to Welsh rugby

The EGM, held at the Principality Stadium on Monday evening, proceeded despite all three original motions being withdrawn at the start of the meeting after the announced departures of WRU chair Richard Collier-Keywood and Professional Rugby Board chair Malcolm Wall. Around 124 of the WRU’s 284 member clubs and districts attended either in person or online — meaning more than half stayed away entirely.

With no votes to cast, the meeting became a lengthy presentation by WRU leadership followed by an hour and a half of questions from the floor. CEO Abi Tierney reiterated the case for reducing to three professional teams, arguing that Wales is attempting to spread a limited talent pool too thinly and that years of underinvestment in development pathways had brought the game to its current point.

In the days before the meeting Swansea Bay News had warned it could end up as nothing more than a chat — and so it proved, with Tierney unable to offer any concrete timeline, detail on how the reduction would be delivered, or clarity on the Cardiff sale process.

Both Tierney and Collier-Keywood admitted during the meeting that they had made mistakes — specifically that they had spent too long trying to maintain four teams and persuade them to sign a new Professional Rugby Agreement before Cardiff went bust. Collier-Keywood said they tried to maintain four sides for too long amid disputes with the regions, with both agreeing the current benefactor model in Welsh rugby is not sustainable in the long term.

It was also suggested the union had suffered a £6 million shortfall in revenue due to poor Six Nations ticket sales, including a record low crowd for the home match against France. Former Principality Building Society COO Rob Regan — a vocal critic of the WRU’s plans who has been working on an alternative model — used the meeting to ask Tierney directly to admit mistakes in order to help rebuild public trust.

The reaction from the Ospreys community was swift and unequivocal. The Ospreys Supporters Club said it was “extremely disappointed, though not surprised” by the outcome, adding that the WRU’s position remained unchanged despite recent leadership changes.

In a statement, the supporters group described the current situation as “the result of years of chronic mismanagement and neglect at the top of the game” and warned that removing a professional side in west Wales would risk “causing lasting damage to the sport in one of its strongest heartlands.” The OSC called on the WRU to “urgently reconsider its position, rebuild trust through genuine engagement, and work collaboratively with stakeholders before further damage is done.”

Swansea Council leader Rob Stewart had urged clubs to maintain maximum pressure going into the meeting, warning that not voting to remove Collier-Keywood — even though he had already announced his departure — “would send all the wrong messages and is open to misrepresentation by the WRU.” He confirmed that Swansea Council’s legal action remains ready, a CMA referral remains live and the commitment to the Ospreys remains at “100%.”

Stewart also confirmed that work on the St Helen’s redevelopment is expected to start soon as part of the co-investment plan agreed with the Ospreys, with the aim of creating a new venue ready for the start of the 2026/27 season.

Torsten Bell MP also called on clubs to use the meeting to oppose the three-team plan, describing the stakes as “not about technical governance issues” but about “safeguarding the soul of Welsh rugby.” He said Wales deserved a WRU that “brings everyone to the table and explores every option before making decisions that will see major changes to our game.”

The meeting heard a notable moment of contrast on the floor. CGRU representative Chris Morgan argued that Wales’s period of international success had been built on four professional teams and that abandoning that structure without a credible alternative amounted to “a dereliction of duty that could destroy Welsh rugby.” His remarks drew applause from parts of the room. However, a separate club representative later claimed a significant proportion of clubs remained firmly behind the WRU’s proposals — drawing what was reportedly the loudest and most sustained applause of the evening.

Tierney, speaking to journalists after the meeting, said she was confident in strong grassroots support for the three-team plan but was unable to provide further detail on how or when a decision would be reached. She denied the reduction automatically meant a straight shootout between the Ospreys and Scarlets for the western licence, saying there were “a few different permutations.” She also declined to comment on the status of the Scarlets’ legal action against the WRU.

On the Cardiff sale, Tierney admitted no deal had yet been agreed with Y11 Sport & Media, with the exclusivity period due to end on April 22 and reports suggesting Y11 may be reconsidering its position. She also confirmed the WRU is working closely with the United Rugby Championship but was unable to say whether a replacement for the fourth Welsh side in the competition had been found.

The WRU confirmed it will use external headhunters to appoint a new independent chair, with the process to begin in May and the new person expected to be in place by early summer. As Swansea politicians called for a reset following Collier-Keywood’s initial announcement, the mood in Welsh rugby remains one of deep uncertainty — and the questions that defined this EGM remain entirely unanswered.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

WRU EGM: Welsh rugby’s extraordinary meeting — but it could end up as nothing more than a chat
Our preview of Monday’s meeting and what was at stake.

Ospreys lifeline as council seals historic St Helen’s deal
The groundbreaking agreement that could secure the Ospreys’ future in Swansea.

Collier-Keywood quits: Rugby Union chair says he’ll leave in July
The announcement that changed the shape of the EGM.

Ospreys fans close in on 10,000-name petition target
The scale of opposition to the WRU’s three-team plan.

#AbiTierney #CllrRobStewart #EGM #MartynRyan #Ospreys #RichardCollierKeywood #Rugby #WalesRugby #WalesRugbyRegions #WRU

Calls for “reset” as Swansea politicians demand new plan after WRU chair quits

The outgoing chair confirmed he will leave the Welsh Rugby Union in July, bringing an end to a turbulent period marked by financial turmoil, governance reform — and a bitter row over the future of the professional game.

Now, political and civic leaders who have repeatedly clashed with the WRU over its direction say his departure must trigger more than just a change of personnel.

“A reset is now needed”

Torsten Bell said it was “right” that Collier-Keywood had decided to step aside — but warned the problems at the heart of Welsh rugby go far deeper.

He said:

“It’s not just that on his watch the organisation brought forward the wrong plan for the future of Welsh rugby, but that they went about it in absolutely the wrong way.

“The truth is that the approach of trying to ride roughshod over near universal opposition to push through chaotic changes simply couldn’t work.

“We now need a reset… There needs to be a new plan and new way of working, not just a new face at the top.”

“Fans have made this happen”

Rob Stewart struck a similar tone, suggesting the decision to step down shows the strength of opposition from clubs, supporters and the wider rugby public.

He said:

“So it looks like the EGM motion has now already succeeded without a vote being cast!

“There is a chance now for the WRU to change course and re-engage with fans, clubs, players and the public.

“Well done to the fantastic rugby public who have clearly made this happen.”

Crisis months in the making

The WRU has faced months of mounting pressure over plans to overhaul the professional game — including proposals that could see one of Wales’ four regions cut.

That prospect sparked fierce backlash across the country, particularly in Swansea where concerns have centred on the future of the Ospreys.

Tensions escalated as clubs moved to force an Extraordinary General Meeting, while political leaders and even a Senedd committee weighed in with criticism of how the plans had been developed and communicated.

Behind the scenes, rows over governance, transparency and decision-making deepened the crisis — with accusations the WRU had failed to properly engage with stakeholders before pushing ahead.

Two visions for Welsh rugby

At the heart of the dispute is a fundamental disagreement over how to secure the future of the game.

WRU chief executive Abi Tierney has argued that reducing the number of professional teams is the only viable route to long-term sustainability, warning that without reform Welsh rugby risks “destroying itself” financially.

But that position has been challenged by an alternative proposal led by Rob Regan, the former Chief Operating Officer of Principality Building Society.

His plan sets out a different path — one that would retain all four regions while restructuring the game’s finances and governance to make it sustainable without cutting a team.

The existence of that rival blueprint has given fresh momentum to critics of the WRU’s approach, strengthening calls for a rethink rather than a reset under the same strategy.

What happens next?

Collier-Keywood will remain in post until July, with the WRU now set to begin the process of appointing a successor.

But with the EGM looming and pressure continuing to build, attention is rapidly shifting away from who leads the organisation — and towards what direction it takes next.

For many in Swansea and across Welsh rugby, the key question is no longer just about leadership.

It’s about whether the WRU sticks to its controversial plan — or whether this moment forces a fundamental change of course.

#CllrRobStewart #Ospreys #RichardCollierKeywood #TorstenBellMP #WRU

FERRY FARCE? Doubts grow over Swansea crossing as ‘fairy story’ jibe lands

The proposed Bristol Channel crossing – linking Swansea with south-west England – has been talked up as a game-changer for travel and jobs.

But cracks are starting to show.

At a tense council meeting this week, opposition councillor Stuart Rice questioned whether the scheme was realistic at all, asking leader Rob Stewart if it was “more of a fairy story than a ferry story”.

The comments come just days after a new report suggested the idea had a “compelling” economic case and overwhelming public backing, with strong support recorded for a Swansea-based service.

The proposal centres on a high-speed, low-emission ferry capable of carrying hundreds of passengers and vehicles across the Bristol Channel – with backers claiming it could slash journey times and ease pressure on major roads.

But despite the optimism, key details remain missing.

No ports have been confirmed.

No vessel has been designed.

And no firm agreements are in place with partners across the water.

Even Swansea Council has admitted in responses seen by reporters that no formal discussions have taken place with councils in Devon or Somerset in recent years.

That raises serious questions about how close – or how far – the plan really is.

Cllr Stewart defended the project, insisting it was worth exploring.

“I don’t think there is anything really to knock on this one,” he said, arguing journey times could be cut dramatically and that Swansea’s appeal would draw visitors.

He also stressed the ferry would not just be about passengers – but freight too, boosting its viability.

But others are not convinced.

Liberal Democrat group leader Chris Holley backed the idea in principle but warned there were practical issues – including whether vessels could even dock close to the city centre.

He pointed to past problems with ferry schemes, including vessels being unable to pass through Swansea’s lock gates.

Meanwhile, concerns have also been raised that passengers could simply drive straight out of the city via the M4 – limiting the economic boost locally.

Adding to the uncertainty, the report behind the plans admits major hurdles remain.

These include dealing with the Bristol Channel’s extreme tidal range, designing specialist vessels, and building the necessary port infrastructure.

And in a new twist, Burry Port has quietly emerged as a potential landing site – despite there being no detail yet on how a ferry could operate from a harbour known for having one of the highest tidal ranges in the world.

Now, Carmarthenshire Council has confirmed it has not been involved in any talks.

Director Ainsley Williams said: “There have been no discussions on specific proposals relating directly to Carmarthenshire at this time.

“We remain open to further discussions should any formal proposals come forward.”

That lack of engagement will raise eyebrows given the scale of what’s being suggested.

Elsewhere, questions remain about where the ferry would land in England, with Ilfracombe already ruled out and larger ports like Bideford mentioned as alternatives.

For now, the ferry remains firmly in the “idea” stage.

And while supporters point to potential benefits like cutting congestion on the M4 and M5 and boosting tourism, critics say the fundamentals are still missing.

For people across Swansea Bay, it leaves a simple question.

Is this the start of a bold new transport link – or just another grand plan that never leaves the drawing board?

What do you think – ferry future or fairy tale?

#BristolChannelFerry #BurryPort #BurryPortHarbour #Carmarthenshire #CllrChrisHolley #CllrRobStewart #CllrStuartRice #Ferry #Swansea #SwanseaCouncil #SwanseaFerry

SWANSEA: Ospreys lifeline as council seals historic St Helen’s deal

Swansea Council has struck a landmark deal with the Ospreys in a move being hailed as a potential lifeline for professional rugby in west Wales.

The agreement will see millions invested into the historic St Helen’s ground, transforming it into a dual-use home for both elite rugby and community sport.

Council leaders say the plan could reshape the future of the game in Swansea — at a time when fears over the Ospreys’ survival have dominated headlines.

Swansea Council leader Rob Stewart speaks to media at St Helen’s after sealing the deal with the Ospreys
(Image: Swansea Council)

The partnership, approved by the council’s Cabinet, is being described as the first of its kind in the UK, bringing a local authority and a professional team together in a joint long-term investment.

Under the proposals, the council will fund improvements aimed at community use, including a new pitch and upgraded floodlights.

Meanwhile, the Ospreys will invest in facilities designed to attract crowds back to the sport, including a new stand, fan zone and broadcast infrastructure.

Local schoolchildren join Ospreys players at St Helen’s as the new community-focused rugby model is unveiled
(Image: Swansea Council)

It follows months of uncertainty over the future of the region, with the Ospreys at the centre of a bitter national row over plans to cut a Welsh team — a crisis we’ve been tracking closely in our ongoing coverage of the WRU civil war.

At the height of the turmoil, Swansea Council launched legal action and even sought to block controversial plans that could have seen the Ospreys effectively wiped out, as reported when the authority went to the High Court in a dramatic bid to stop the deal.

Now, council leader Rob Stewart says this new agreement is about securing the region’s future — and restoring confidence in the game.

He said: “Welsh rugby cannot afford to lose the Ospreys. That’s why we have stepped up and secured this agreement.”

He added: “This is a blueprint for how rugby can thrive in our region and across Wales.”

Council leader Rob Stewart with Ospreys players and officials at St Helen’s following the announcement of the new Swansea rugby model

Cllr Stewart also stressed the wider benefits for the city, saying the Ospreys are “a massive part of our culture” and bring millions into the local economy every year.

He said: “By investing in St Helen’s, we’re creating a fantastic facility for the community — opening the doors to schools, local clubs and young players taking their first steps in the game.”

The deal will also see Welsh rugby legend Alun Wyn Jones take on a key role in overseeing the new model, joining a Swansea Rugby Community Board.

Cllr Stewart said his involvement would be vital, adding: “Having such a rugby icon involved will be invaluable in ensuring we get the right pathway for our children.”

A state-of-the-art 4G pitch is set to be installed at St Helen’s, allowing the Ospreys to play matches there as early as next season.

But the venue won’t just be for elite sport — schools, local clubs and community groups will have regular access throughout the week.

Key figures gather at St Helen’s as Swansea Council and the Ospreys agree a landmark partnership
(Image: Swansea Council)

Cllr Stewart said: “Working in partnership, we will deliver a community programme that inspires young people and creates a clear pathway from school and local club rugby through to the Ospreys.”

Council bosses say the aim is to reconnect the professional and grassroots game, boosting participation among young people while improving health and wellbeing across the area.

The Ospreys are also expected to expand their community programme significantly, with more school sessions, coaching opportunities and open training events.

For Swansea fans, the move signals a dramatic shift after months of crisis, protests and political pressure over the future of the region.

The hope now is that St Helen’s can become a symbol of renewal — not just for the Ospreys, but for rugby across Swansea Bay.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

St Helen’s stadium revival plan unveiled as Swansea Council moves ahead amid Ospreys uncertainty
Earlier plans revealed the scale of ambition for redeveloping the historic ground.

Council goes to High Court as Swansea seeks urgent injunction to stop WRU deal
Legal action showed how far the council was willing to go to protect the Ospreys.

Seismic showdown: WRU confirms date for fight for survival EGM
The wider Welsh rugby crisis that put the future of the Ospreys in doubt.

#CllrRobStewart #featured #grassrootsRugby #Ospreys #StHelensStadium #StHelensSwansea #SwanseaCouncil #WRU

£14bn metro dream for Swansea – but will West Wales finally get its share?

The ambitious vision from Transport for Wales forms part of a £14bn programme backed by the UK and Welsh governments, with leaders claiming it could transform travel, boost business and create thousands of jobs across South West Wales.

Electrification, new stations and metro links

At the heart of the plans is long-awaited electrification of the main line between Cardiff and Swansea — a move expected to cut journey times and increase capacity.

New stations at Landore and Winch Wen are also proposed, alongside a string of potential metro hubs across the city including Pontlliw, Felindre, Morriston, Llandarcy and Cockett.

There are also plans to improve rail links westwards to communities including Ammanford, Pembrey, St Clears, Milford Haven and Pembroke Dock — areas long calling for better connections.

Further down the line, a £1bn light rail expansion could link Swansea to Neath and Tonna, running through the city centre and waterfront in a move designed to bring trams back to the region.

Proposed Swansea Bay Metro and tram-train routes showing new stations, connections and future expansion plans across the region.
(Image: Transport for Wales / Swansea Council)

“Generational change” promised

Rob Stewart said the plans could be a turning point for the regional economy.

“We all want to see better rail links into Swansea and across South West Wales,” he said.

“Transport links from London and the rest of UK to our part of Wales are critical to help deliver a strong local economy.”

He added that electrification and wider investment would “create thousands of jobs in construction and secure thousands more in the long term”.

The council is also banking on sweeping bus reforms to tie the network together, with a new franchising model aimed at delivering “one timetable and one ticket” across rail and bus services.

Transport leaders and politicians present detailed plans for new stations and improved rail links under the Swansea Bay Metro proposals
(Image: Swansea Council)

Linking jobs, hospitals and major attractions

Stewart said new stations would play a key role in connecting people to jobs and services.

“Having a network of new stations across Swansea will be critical in terms of providing direct public transport links to hospitals, major employers including the DVLA and the Enterprise Zone in Llansamlet,” he said.

“They will also serve major attractions including the new Skyline development, Penderyn Distillery and the Swansea.com Stadium.”

Political backing – but pressure remains

Ken Skates said the plans marked “exciting times ahead” for transport in the region, while Swansea West MP Torsten Bell said the project could help reverse years of underinvestment.

“Swansea has been let down by years of underinvestment in our rail system,” he said.

“This consultation is an important opportunity to feed into the development of this vital new infrastructure.”

But will it actually happen?

Despite the bold vision, the announcement comes against a backdrop of frustration in South West Wales — with previous promises failing to materialise.

Swansea Bay News has previously reported anger over the lack of progress on schemes like the long-delayed St Clears station, as well as criticism that the region has been “forgotten” in wider UK rail investment.

There have also been renewed calls for major projects like a multi-million pound rail link to Aberystwyth, while passengers continue to demand better reliability despite recent improvements in punctuality.

Campaigners will also be disappointed that there is no mention of a tram route extending towards Swansea University and Mumbles.

The £14bn plan has been hailed as “generational” — but for many across Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Carmarthenshire, the real test will be whether it finally delivers on promises that have been years in the making.

Transport and rail: more from Swansea Bay News

St Clears station delay sparks anger
Calls grow for action after years of promises with no construction.

£775m rail link calls return
Fresh push for a Carmarthen to Aberystwyth line in major report.

£14bn rail row erupts
Politicians clash over whether Swansea is getting its fair share.

‘Forgotten again’ fury over rail snub
Anger as new stations announced elsewhere — but not in West Wales.

Rail punctuality improves — but concerns remain
Performance rises, but passengers say more must be done.

#CllrRobStewart #CockettStation #electrification #featured #FelindreStation #LandoreStation #lightRail #LlandarcyStation #MorristonStation #PontlliwStation #publicTransport #rail #SwanseaBayMetro #SwanseaCouncil #TorstenBellMP #tram #tramTrain #TransportForWales #WinchWenStation