Uplands councillors join Liberal Democrats as former party leader hits back

Councillors Sandra Joy and Allan Jeffery, who were elected as Uplands Party candidates in 2022 before becoming Independents last year, have now joined the Liberal Democrats. The party announced the move as a boost ahead of the Senedd elections in May, saying it strengthens their position in Swansea.

Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds MS welcomed the pair, stating: “Sandra and Allan are exactly the kind of councillors communities want representing them. Rooted in their area, working hard for residents and not afraid to speak up when something was not right.”

She added that with services stretched and communities feeling taken for granted, “Only the Liberal Democrats can beat Labour, stop Reform and deliver for Swansea.”

Councillor Sandra Joy said joining the Liberal Democrats felt like the right step, stating that she and Allan Jeffery were “still the same people who would speak their minds and fight for Uplands every day, but now as part of a growing team ready to take the city in a better direction.”

However, the move has been strongly criticised by Uplands Party leader, Cllr Peter May, who provided additional context on the defections.

In a statement to Swansea Bay News, Cllr May pointed out this was the councillors’ second defection. He also revealed that Cllr Sandra Joy had moved out of the Uplands Ward to Sketty in June 2025, making her ineligible to continue as an Uplands Party councillor.

“She is seeking to run in Sketty ward in the council elections in 2027 which is presently held by the Liberal Democrats,” Cllr May said.

He also highlighted Cllr Allan Jeffery’s past electoral performance. “Allan Jeffery ran unsuccessfully in the Uplands ward as a Liberal Democrat in 2017. He polled 366 votes and finished 12th out of 18 candidates,” Cllr May stated.

“In 2022 he ran as an Uplands Party candidate and was successfully elected securing 1641 votes and finished 4th out of the 4 elected councillors. If he is running as a returning Liberal Democrat in 2027, I look forward to the contest.”

The Liberal Democrats now hold 13 of the 75 seats on Swansea Council.

#CllrAllanJeffery #CllrPeterMay #CllrSandraJoy #JaneDoddsMS #PeterMay #SwanseaCouncil #Uplands #UplandsParty #WelshLiberalDemocrats

M&S ROW: Council leader accuses Senedd candidate of using job losses for ‘deplorable’ election campaign

Swansea Council Leader Rob Stewart has hit back at political opponents over the closure of the city’s M&S store, calling it “deplorable” that a Senedd candidate is using the potential loss of 90 local jobs for his election campaign.

The blistering attack comes in response to criticism from Liberal Democrat Senedd candidate Sam Bennett and Swansea Lib Dem leader Cllr Chris Holley, who yesterday questioned the council’s regeneration priorities in the wake of the M&S closure announcement.

In a statement, the Labour leader launched a full-throated defence of his administration’s record while attacking the previous Liberal Democrat-led council.

“It’s deplorable that Cllr Sam Bennett is using the closure of the store with the potential loss of 90 local jobs to try and further his Senedd election campaign,” Cllr Stewart said.

The attack is politically charged, as both men are candidates in the new Gŵyr Abertawe Senedd constituency for the 2026 election. Cllr Stewart is ranked second on the Welsh Labour list, while Cllr Bennett is the lead candidate for the Welsh Liberal Democrats.

He also criticised his Lib Dem counterpart, stating, “It’s also disappointing to see Cllr Holley doesn’t have confidence in Swansea, or its traders and businesses.”

Cllr Stewart claimed his opponents “have not openly supported any of the developments in Swansea delivered over the last 11 years” and are “critics of the £1.3bn city deal.”

He also revealed that M&S has not given up on the city, stating, “M&S are actively looking for a different location in Swansea and have acknowledged the positive impact the regeneration is having.”

He then turned his fire on the record of the previous Liberal Democrat administration, which was led by Cllr Holley for much of its tenure, and controlled Swansea Council from 2004-2012.

“The Lib Dems introduced the disastrous bendy bus, continually dug up the Kingsway and introduced the mad road system, and absolutely failed to invest and support local businesses to grow,” he said.

“They have no ambition for Swansea.”

#CllrChrisHolley #CllrRobStewart #MarksAndSpencer #OxfordStreet #retail #SamBennett #SeneddElection #storeClosure #WelshLabour #WelshLiberalDemocrats

Politicians demand action as M&S closure sparks row over council “vanity projects”

Liberal Democrats have accused Swansea Council‘s Labour leadership of making “ridiculous” assurances about the impact of multimillion-pound regeneration schemes, pointing to recent claims that the new library would drive footfall to M&S.

Meanwhile, Plaid Cymru’s Sioned Williams MS has written to the Welsh Government demanding support for the 92 staff facing redundancy, describing the closure as a “sickeningly familiar story” of high streets losing historic stores.

The political fallout comes just days after M&S confirmed it will shut its Oxford Street store later this year, ending nearly a century of trading in the city centre.

Welsh Liberal Democrat lead Senedd candidate Cllr Sam Bennett said: “Time and time again the Labour Council Leader has assured us that the massive city centre projects would be the saving of the high street, and this announcement raises big questions.

“At the most recent Council meeting the Leader went as far to say how people were celebrating that the move of the library meant they could now go to M&S, this now sounds ridiculous.”

Cllr Chris Holley, Leader of the Opposition on Swansea Council and Welsh Lib Dem Group Leader, went further, claiming the council had privately assured them M&S would remain once the Yr Storfa development opened.

“We have continually asked and been told that Labour’s vanity projects would be the saving of our high street, and even been told in a meeting M&S would stay once Yr Storfa had opened,” he said.

“This is deeply embarrassing for Labour, and is a tragedy for the city centre workers and shoppers as the Swansea high street takes another blow.”

Y Storfa’s striking green wall and glass frontage at the former BHS store next door to Swansea’s Marks & Spencer which is due to close in 2026
(Image: Swansea Council)

The Liberal Democrats say they have long called for cheaper and easier parking to encourage city centre use, alongside reforms to business rates and VAT cuts to support high street retailers.

Torsten Bell, Labour MP for Swansea West, struck a more conciliatory tone, expressing “deep disappointment” at the closure and focusing on the impact on staff and customers.

“This decision will be a blow to the many loyal customers who regularly use the store, and for the dedicated employees, some who have worked for M&S over many years,” Mr Bell said.

“They need to be shown the dignity and respect they deserve, while it’s vital they are treated fairly during this difficult time. I have already contacted Senior M&S Managers, with a meeting arranged for next Friday to discuss this further.”

Mr Bell noted the closure comes “at a time when the City Centre has seen huge regeneration at key sites and more top retailers showing confidence in Swansea.”

Marks and Spencer on Oxford Street in Swansea city centre. The store, which has been open since 1957, is set to close in late 2026 with 92 jobs at risk.

Sioned Williams MS, Plaid Cymru Member of the Senedd for South Wales West, drew parallels with M&S’s departure from Neath in May 2024, saying the closures represent more than just job losses.

“As with Marks and Spencer’s departure from Neath in May 2024, this is more than losing a job or losing a shop, it’s losing a piece of local history,” she said.

“The Oxford Street store is an important part of many people’s lives, not least for the 92 who work there currently. During its 100 year presence in Swansea, there will have been people who have given their working lives to this store and loyal customers who have helped build this company’s multimillion pound profits.”

Ms Williams said she had written to the Welsh Government asking what support will be offered to staff, and will be writing to M&S to urge them to retain a full-line store in the area.

“I’m glad to see the company not ruling out maintaining a presence in Swansea, but that location should be in the city centre, and not out of town,” she added.

The closure announcement has raised questions about the effectiveness of Swansea Council’s regeneration strategy, which has seen millions of pounds invested in projects including the Copr Bay arena, the new library and museum complex, and the ongoing Yr Storfa development.

M&S has indicated it is considering alternative locations in the Swansea area, but has not confirmed whether any replacement store would be in the city centre or at an out-of-town retail park.

The Oxford Street store, which has traded for nearly 100 years, is expected to close later in 2026, with staff consultations now underway.

#Business #CllrChrisHolley #MS #MarksAndSpencer #OxfordStreet #PlaidCymru #retail #SamBennett #SionedWilliamsMS #storeClosure #Swansea #TorstenBellMP #WelshLabour #WelshLiberalDemocrats

THE £14BN RAIL ROW: Swansea West MP hails ‘generational’ investment—but Lib Dems claim city has been ‘abandoned’

Swansea West MP Torsten Bell has moved to reassure residents that the city is at the heart of a long-awaited £14 billion rail upgrade pipeline. The plan, endorsed by the Prime Minister and First Minister, crucially includes the Swansea Bay Metro, a new station in Cockett, and the long-campaigned-for electrification of the main line beyond Cardiff to Swansea.

‘At Last’: Swansea Featured Heavily

Mr Bell, who also serves as a UK Treasury Minister, claims to have helped secure Swansea’s place in the multi-billion pound vision. He argues that the new pipeline marks the end of years of “underinvestment” by previous governments.

Torsten Bell MP said:

“Swansea has been let down by years of underinvestment in our rail system. I’m proud to play a part in putting that right. Securing this major step forward for Swansea has been a top priority for me from day one.”

The ‘Swansea Bay Metro’ Vision

Documents released by Transport for Wales (TfW) reveal the scale of the ambition for the region. The proposed Swansea Bay and West Wales Metro includes:

• Seven New Stations: Locations including Cockett, Landore, and Winch Wen are slated for development to better connect local communities.
• Increased Frequency: New Metro services running initially every 30 minutes, with the potential to increase to four trains per hour.
• Regional Upgrades: A new half-hourly service between Swansea and Pembrey & Burry Port, and a new station at St Clears in West Wales.
• Electrification: A “step-by-step” programme to decarbonise the rail network across the Swansea Bay area.

Extract from TfW pipeline document
(Image: Transport for Wales)

‘Jam Tomorrow’ or Real Investment?

However, the Welsh Liberal Democrats have hit back, branding the announcement as “falsely claiming” a £14 billion commitment. They point out that while the pipeline is valued at £14bn, the actual confirmed funding from last summer’s Spending Review is just £445 million—almost all of which is concentrated in the Cardiff and Newport corridor.

Sam Bennett, Lib Dem candidate for Gŵyr Abertawe, said:

“Swansea is Wales’ second city, yet it has been completely overlooked while funding is concentrated almost entirely around Cardiff. Announcing big projects without the funding to deliver them is exactly the kind of politics people are fed up with.”

The Funding Dispute

A spokesperson for Mr Bell’s office clarified that while funding is confirmed in individual Spending Reviews, this is the first time a UK government has committed to a long-term pipeline developed alongside the Welsh Government. They argue that this promise should be judged on the current government’s “record of actually delivering.”

The Liberal Democrats remain unconvinced, highlighting the lack of a “firm commitment” to a specific date for the electrification of the line to Swansea—a move local businesses say is essential for the success of the ports at Port Talbot and Milford Haven.

Is this a ‘game-changer’ for Swansea or just more empty promises? Have your say below.

#CockettNewStation #electrifyRailToSwansea #LandoreNewStation #railInvestment #SamBennett #StClearsNewStation #SwanseaBayMetro #TorstenBellMP #WelshLabour #WelshLiberalDemocrats #WinchWenNewStation

Swansea councillor warns Welsh pubs risk being ‘left behind’ as business rates row deepens

Welsh Liberal Democrat councillor, Sam Bennett — who represents Swansea’s Waterfront ward and is standing for the Senedd in Gŵyr Abertawe — said ministers must “urgently change course” to stop Welsh venues being placed at a competitive disadvantage.

The row erupted after the UK Chancellor announced extra relief for pubs and music venues in England, cutting an average £1,650 from their bills next year. The support does not apply in Wales, and the Welsh Government has yet to confirm whether it will introduce a similar scheme.

When pressed in the Senedd by Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Jane Dodds, the First Minister declined to commit to matching the English package, saying she needed to examine the details first.

Bennett said that hesitation was already causing alarm among Swansea Bay businesses facing rising costs, staff shortages and falling footfall.

Cllr Sam Bennett said:

“Pubs and hospitality businesses are at the heart of our communities, but too many are being pushed to the brink. Scaling back business rates relief now would be a serious mistake.

Support cannot stop at pubs alone. Cafés, restaurants and other hospitality businesses are facing exactly the same pressures.”

Industry leaders warn Wales is becoming uncompetitive

Concerns over Wales’ business rates system intensified this week after a BBC report highlighted the widening gap between Wales and England.

The broadcaster spoke to Philip Thomas, Wales director of the Society of Independent Brewers, who said his Treforest brewery would pay no business rates at all if it were located just across the border in Somerset.

Thomas warned that the disparity was “impacting on our ability to compete”, with English rivals — who pay nothing — selling beer into Welsh pubs.

His comments echo growing frustration across the sector as new valuations and the end of pandemic‑era relief push bills sharply higher from April.

Analysis by UK Hospitality shows the sector’s business rates bill in Wales is set to rise from £83.1m this year to £135.7m by 2028‑29.

Political pressure grows — even within Labour

The political tension deepened after Gower MP Tonia Antoniazzi, who chairs Westminster’s All‑Party Parliamentary Beer Group, publicly welcomed the Chancellor’s decision to cut business rates for English pubs.

She said she had been “pushing for pubs to get a fairer deal” and thanked the Chancellor for listening — but made no reference to Wales, where pubs will not receive the same support unless the Welsh Government chooses to replicate it.

Welsh Government: ‘More to say soon’

A Welsh Government spokesperson said ministers were finalising plans for additional support and would announce details soon.

They insisted that almost half of Welsh pubs already receive Small Business Rates Relief, and more than a quarter pay no rates at all.

But Bennett said Swansea Bay businesses cannot wait much longer for clarity.

Cllr Sam Bennett said:

“Without urgent action, we risk losing viable, well‑loved businesses that communities in Swansea Bay simply cannot afford to lose.”

#AllPartyParliamentaryBeerGroup #Beer #Business #businessRates #hospitality #hospitalityBusiness #LibDems #pubs #SamBennett #SocietyOfIndependentBrewers #ToniaAntoniazziMP #WelshGovernment #WelshLabour #WelshLiberalDemocrats

Labour accused of dirty tricks as row over future of Maesteg Hospital intensifies

Concerns about the hospital have been building for months as Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board develops plans for a new Health and Wellbeing Centre for the Llynfi Valley. The board says it has access to around £30 million of Welsh Government funding to expand local services, but that the existing hospital site cannot be redeveloped within that budget. That position has fuelled fears about the loss of beds, the future of the building and whether the community is being properly consulted.

The latest flashpoint came after Labour representatives claimed that protest organisers, including Liberal Democrat Senedd candidate Dean Ronan, had “declined to engage” with the health board. The allegation appeared in a series of letters signed by Huw Irranca‑Davies MS, David Rees MS, Stephen Kinnock MP and local councillors, who accused some campaigners of “politicising” the issue.

Huw Irranca Davies MS outside Maesteg Community Hospital, alongside protestors calling for transparency and opposing the potential closure or sale of the site.

Labour representatives wrote:

We now understand that you have indeed reached out to the main organisers – including a candidate for the Liberal Democrats – and they have declined to engage with you.

They also warned that the £30 million investment must not be put at risk.

Labour representatives wrote:

We certainly do not want to lose the £30m which Welsh Government have already put forward… this matter is of such huge importance it should be well beyond party politics.

Dean Ronan has rejected the claim outright, saying he has never been contacted by the health board and could not have refused a meeting that was never offered.

Dean Ronan, Liberal Democrat Senedd candidate, said:

Not once have I been contacted about the future of Maesteg Hospital. I could not have declined a meeting that was never offered. If Labour or the health board have evidence to the contrary, they should publish it immediately.

The Welsh Liberal Democrats say the campaign to protect the hospital has always been community‑led and cross‑party, involving the League of Friends, independent councillors and Plaid Cymru candidates. They argue that the focus should be on the future of services, not political point‑scoring.

Dean Ronan, Liberal Democrat Senedd candidate, pictured at a Maesteg Hospital protest calling for transparency and community-led decision-making over the future of local healthcare services.

David Chadwick MP, Welsh Liberal Democrat Westminster spokesperson, said:

This looks like a classic dirty tricks operation — brief against local campaigners, make untrue claims, and hope nobody challenges them.

On Sunday, Dean Ronan issued a new public statement confirming that he had been invited to meet Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca‑Davies to discuss the future of healthcare in Maesteg. He said he was open to meeting, but only if a public apology was issued for what he described as “false statements” made about him earlier in the week.

Dean Ronan, Liberal Democrat Senedd candidate, said:

I informed Huw that I would be open to meeting with him and sharing my views, on the condition that a public apology was issued by himself and the local councillors who attached their names to false statements made about me earlier this week. I was told that Huw would not issue a public apology, as he did not wish to focus on ‘politics or personalities’. As a result, I have declined the meeting.”

He said the issue was not political, but personal.

Mr Ronan added:

Morally, it does not sit right with me to allow lies to be told or left unchallenged. These are my values as a person, not a political position. The people of Maesteg deserve representatives who are honest and transparent at all times. Integrity and honesty matter more to me than any party policy.”

He added that he remained open to dialogue if a public apology was issued.

The full stone frontage of Maesteg Community Hospital, a landmark building at the centre of the debate over future health services in the Llynfi Valley.
(Image: Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board)

What the health board says it is planning

Behind the political row sits a much larger debate about what the health board is proposing for the Llynfi Valley.

The board says it wants to deliver a wider range of services locally, including urgent care, expanded outpatient clinics, mental health support, integrated community teams and space for third‑sector wellbeing organisations. It argues that these improvements cannot be delivered within the existing hospital buildings, which would cost at least £42 million to redevelop and potentially up to £48 million if further structural issues are uncovered.

A spokesperson for Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board said:

We have not taken any decisions to close Maesteg Hospital or sell the site. Whatever the future holds for this important, much‑loved building will take into account the views of local people and the heritage of the site.

The board says it is exploring a potential new site near Ewenny Road, close to Maesteg town centre and the railway station, because it offers better access and can accommodate the size of building required for modern services. It also says it is considering alternatives to hospital‑based community beds, including block‑booking beds in local nursing homes for rehabilitation, reablement and palliative care.

The health board said in its latest update:

Local people who are anxious about the future deserve the facts. We will continue to meet with representatives and provide information through other means.

Maesteg nestled in the Llynfi Valley, where plans for a new health and wellbeing centre have sparked debate over access, investment and the future of local services.
(Image: Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board)

Calls for transparency and engagement

Labour representatives say they share concerns about the future of the hospital building and have urged the board to protect the site’s heritage. They argue that the building is iconic and must not be left “empty or unloved”.

Labour representatives wrote:

There is no‑one in these communities who would allow this iconic building to lie empty or unloved or unused.

They also said they have pressed the health board to meet urgently with the League of Friends and all elected representatives, and that the board has now agreed to do so.

The health board says it has already held engagement events and will carry out further public consultation once more detailed work on both the existing site and the potential new site is complete. A decision on the preferred location is expected in early 2026.

For now, the political row continues to overshadow the process, with both sides accusing the other of misrepresenting the facts. What remains clear is that the future of Maesteg Hospital — its services, its beds and its building — has become one of the most contentious local issues in years, and the community is demanding answers.

#CwmTafMorgannwgNHS #DavidChadwickMP #DavidReesMS #DeanRonan #HealthAndWellbeingCentre #HuwIrrancaDaviesMS #LlynfiValley #Maesteg #MaestegCommunityHospital #MaestegHospitalClosure #StephenKinnockMP #WelshLabour #WelshLiberalDemocrats

Plaid Cymru storms ahead as shock Senedd poll predicts political earthquake in Wales

The YouGov poll for ITV Cymru Wales and Cardiff University shows Plaid climbing to 37% of the vote — fourteen points clear of Reform UK — in a result that would trigger the biggest political shake‑up since devolution began in 1999.

Reform drops to 23%, the Greens leap to a record 13%, and Labour slumps to just 10%, its lowest Senedd rating ever recorded. The Conservatives also sit at 10%, leaving Wales’ two traditional governing parties tied for fourth place.

Under Wales’ new 96‑member Senedd, the figures would translate to Plaid winning 45 seats, just four short of an outright majority. Reform would take 23, the Greens 11, Labour eight and the Conservatives six.

Labour collapse deepens as Greens surge

The poll confirms a dramatic realignment in Welsh politics. Labour, which has dominated every Welsh election since 1922, now risks losing power for the first time in the history of devolution.

The Greens, meanwhile, record their strongest ever Welsh performance, overtaking Labour and the Conservatives for the first time.

Reform UK, which had been neck‑and‑neck with Plaid throughout 2025, sees its support fall sharply.

Senedd voting intention (YouGov / ITV Cymru Wales)

Fieldwork: 5–12 January 2026 • Wales • % of vote

Plaid Cymru 37% Reform UK 23% Green 13% Labour 10% Conservative 10% Lib Dem 5% Other 2%

Source: YouGov poll for ITV Cymru Wales and Cardiff University, January 2026.

Young voters break decisively with Labour as Greens and Plaid dominate

The raw YouGov data reveals a dramatic generational divide that cuts to the heart of Wales’ political realignment. Among 16 to 24‑year‑olds, the Greens now lead the field on 43%, with Plaid Cymru close behind on 42% — a combined 85% share that leaves the traditional parties almost nowhere.

Reform UK records just 6% among young voters, while Labour slumps to 4%, its weakest demographic performance in the entire poll.

The picture among older voters is far more fragmented. In the 65+ group, Plaid Cymru leads on 29%, with Reform UK close behind on 28%. The Conservatives remain competitive at 19%, while Labour manages 13% and the Greens fall to 4%.

The figures underline the scale of Labour’s challenge. The party that once dominated every age group in Wales is now squeezed from both sides — losing younger voters to Plaid and the Greens, and older voters to Reform and the Conservatives.

They also highlight the depth of Plaid Cymru’s surge. The party is now ahead among older voters and competitive among the youngest, a rare position in Welsh politics and one that strengthens its path to becoming the largest party in May.

Senedd voting intention — Age 16–24

YouGov / ITV Cymru Wales • January 2026

Conservative 0% Labour 4% Lib Dem 5% Plaid Cymru 42% Reform UK 6% Green 43% Other 0%

Senedd voting intention — Age 25–49

YouGov / ITV Cymru Wales • January 2026

Conservative 6% Labour 7% Lib Dem 5% Plaid Cymru 47% Reform UK 15% Green 17% Other 3%

Senedd voting intention — Age 50–64

YouGov / ITV Cymru Wales • January 2026

Conservative 7% Labour 12% Lib Dem 7% Plaid Cymru 32% Reform UK 33% Green 7% Other 2%

Senedd voting intention — Age 65+

YouGov / ITV Cymru Wales • January 2026

Conservative 19% Labour 13% Lib Dem 4% Plaid Cymru 29% Reform UK 28% Green 4% Other 2%

“A substantial shift” says leading academic

Dr Jac Larner, Cardiff University’s Welsh Governance Centre, said: This poll shows a stark contrast to previous polling, with a substantial 14‑point gap between Plaid Cymru and Reform UK in Senedd voting intention. While any single poll should come with a health warning, it continues broader trends in Welsh polling, where Plaid have enjoyed a modest boost and the Greens have surged.

He said the gains for Plaid and the Greens appear to be coming from previously undecided voters, and that Plaid is now seen by a majority of respondents as the party best placed to challenge Reform.

Parties react as campaign pressure intensifies

Plaid Cymru said the poll confirms the election is now a straight fight between them and Reform, claiming more voters are backing the party’s “positive vision for Wales”.

Welsh Labour said it was focused on “helping make people’s lives better”, while accusing Plaid of returning to its independence plans without explaining how they would be funded.

Westminster shock as Plaid overtakes Reform

The poll also shows Plaid now leading Westminster voting intention in Wales, rising to 29% and overtaking Reform on 25%. Labour collapses to 13%, with the Conservatives and Greens tied on 12%.

The shift follows Plaid’s by‑election victory in Caerphilly last autumn and rising approval for party leader Rhun ap Iorwerth.

Wales heading for its most unpredictable election

With four months to go, the poll suggests Wales could be on the verge of a political realignment not seen in a generation. A Plaid Cymru First Minister is now a realistic prospect, with the party potentially able to govern with only Green support.

Reform UK remains a serious contender for official opposition, while Labour faces the possibility of losing power for the first time since devolution.

The poll surveyed 1,220 adults for Senedd voting intention and 1,205 adults for Westminster voting intention between 5 and 12 January.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

New polling shows Reform surge redrawing the political map in south west Wales
A look at how Reform UK’s rise has been reshaping key battlegrounds across the region.

From Westminster landslide to Senedd stalemate
How contrasting Westminster and Senedd polling paints two sharply different futures for Wales.

Plaid’s big win in Caerphilly reshapes the Senedd debate
The Caerphilly by‑election result that helped trigger Plaid’s momentum heading into 2026.

Plaid storms ahead as Labour vote collapses in Wales
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#GreenParty #PlaidCymru #polling #ReformUK #SeneddElection #SeneddElections2026 #WelshConservatives #WelshLabour #WelshLiberalDemocrats

Plaid storms ahead as Labour vote collapses in Wales

A YouGov/Cardiff University survey of 2,500 adults across Wales shows Plaid on course to become the largest party in the Senedd for the first time since devolution began in 1999. Reform UK trails narrowly on 30%, while Labour and the Conservatives are tied on 10% each. The Greens rise to 9% and the Liberal Democrats to 6%.

Under the new proportional voting system debuting in May 2026, Plaid would secure 39 seats, Reform 34, Labour 10, Conservatives six, Greens four and the Lib Dems three.

Labour dominance shattered by poll shock

Labour has led every Welsh Government since 1999, but the latest figures show the party reduced to historic lows. Once the dominant force in the Welsh‑identifying progressive bloc, Labour now retains only a fraction of its former support.

Cardiff University’s analysis makes clear this isn’t voters abandoning progressive politics altogether — it’s consolidation. Plaid has absorbed the bulk of Welsh‑identifying support, while Reform has swallowed Conservative backing among British‑identifying voters.

Generational divide drives realignment

The raw data reveals a stark split by age. Plaid dominates among younger voters, winning 37% of 18–24s and 31% of 25–34s. Reform surges among older voters, taking 31% of those aged 55–64 and 30% of those aged 65–74. Labour barely registers across all age groups, peaking at just 10%.

Education tells a similar story. Plaid is strongest among graduates, while Reform leads among those with no qualifications.

Voters say why they’re switching

Plaid supporters overwhelmingly cite “standing up for Wales” as their reason for switching, with nearly half of respondents choosing that option. A further fifth back Plaid tactically as “best placed to stop Reform UK.”

Reform voters are driven by immigration, with 42% saying it is the party’s defining issue. Nigel Farage’s leadership remains a powerful draw, with nearly one in five citing him as the only leader who understands ordinary people’s problems.

What it means for Wales

The poll does not provide constituency‑level figures, but the national trend is clear: Labour’s grip on Wales has loosened dramatically. Even in traditional strongholds, the party’s dominance can no longer be taken for granted.

If these figures hold, Welsh politics faces a generational realignment. For the first time in a century, Labour faces the prospect of opposition or junior coalition status, while Plaid Cymru is poised to lead the Senedd.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Plaid Cymru and Reform UK neck and neck as Labour slumps to historic low
Previous polling showed Plaid and Reform tied, with Labour collapsing to unprecedented lows.

Latest Senedd poll puts Reform and Plaid neck and neck
Analysis of how South West Wales emerged as a decisive battleground in earlier polling.

Reform UK pulls ahead as Plaid slips and Labour edges back
Coverage of Reform overtaking Plaid in a previous survey, with Labour showing slight recovery.

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Seat projections suggested Reform leading, but a Plaid–Labour coalition seen as the most likely outcome.

#PlaidCymru #polling #ReformUK #RhunApIorwerthMS #SeneddElection #SeneddElections2026 #WelshConservatives #WelshLabour #WelshLiberalDemocrats #YouGov

Banking lifeline finally opens in Ystradgynlais after three‑year fight

After years without a single bank on the high street, Ystradgynlais residents can at last walk through the doors of a permanent banking hub. The new facility on Commercial Street is the result of a dogged three‑year campaign that saw locals, businesses and community leaders refuse to take “no” for an answer.

The town was left high and dry in 2023 when Lloyds shut its branch despite posting record profits. Public meetings followed, petitions were signed, and applications were lodged with LINK — the body that decides where hubs go. The first bid was rejected, but campaigners pushed back, challenging the data and dragging regulators to Ystradgynlais to see the need for themselves.

That persistence paid off. A temporary hub opened in May, and now a permanent site has been unveiled at 14 Commercial Street, SA9 1HD.

How the hub will serve the town

After years of being left without a single counter service, locals can now walk into the new Commercial Street hub and deal with real people again. Doors are open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, with different banks taking turns to staff the desks.

• Mondays bring Barclays back to town, giving customers face‑to‑face access that vanished when branches closed.
• Tuesdays are still waiting for a banker to be confirmed, but campaigners say it’s only a matter of time before another name is added.
• Midweek sees Lloyds return on Wednesdays, a striking turnaround after the bank pulled out of Ystradgynlais in 2023.
• HSBC takes the Thursday slot, offering services to residents who once had to travel miles for help.
• Fridays finish with Halifax on hand, rounding off the week with another big name back on the high street.

Victory after years of pressure

The fight to bring banking back to Ystradgynlais wasn’t easy. Applications were rejected, data was disputed, and regulators had to be shown around the town to see the need first‑hand.

At the opening, local MP David Chadwick called it “fantastic news for Ystradgynlais” and reflected on the long road to success:

“After months of pressure, rejected applications and persistent campaigning, including personally showing the Banking Hub regulator around our vibrant town, I’m delighted we’ve secured a permanent, long‑term hub on Commercial Street.

“I launched this campaign to make sure communities like Ystradgynlais and the surrounding area aren’t cut off from essential services.

“Securing a permanent Banking Hub is a major step in ensuring our towns remain supported, connected and able to thrive.

“I will continue pushing to ensure that facilities like this remain protected and that no community in our area is left behind.”

Senedd Member Jane Dodds also welcomed the news, adding:

“Access to banking is not a luxury; it is a necessity, particularly for older residents, small businesses, and those who rely on cash. This hub will make a real and lasting difference.”

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Latest Senedd poll puts Reform and Plaid neck and neck as South West Wales emerges as decisive battleground

The fresh Beaufort Research poll for Nation.Cymru puts Reform on 27% (down three points since September), Plaid Cymru on 26% (up four), Labour on 21% (down two), Conservatives on 12%, Greens on 9% and Liberal Democrats on 3%.

Seat projections show Reform and Plaid neck‑and‑neck on 30 seats each, Labour on 24, Conservatives on 9, Greens on 2 and Lib Dems on just 1. That would almost certainly see Plaid leader Rhun ap Iorwerth installed as First Minister — either through a coalition with Labour or a looser cooperation deal.

But the real drama lies in the constituency breakdown.

South West Wales on a knife‑edge

The updated projections show how finely balanced the region has become:

Senedd ConstituencyComposed of Parliamentary SeatsProjected MSs (by party)Gŵyr AbertaweSwansea West + Gower3 Reform, 2 Labour, 1 PlaidBrycheiniog Tawe NeddBrecon, Radnor & Cwm Tawe + Neath & Swansea East3 Reform, 1 Labour, 1 Plaid, 1 Lib DemAfan Ogwr RhonddaAberafan Maesteg + Rhondda and Ogmore3 Reform, 2 Labour, 1 PlaidSir GaerfyrddinLlanelli + Caerfyrddin3 Plaid, 2 Reform, 1 LabourCeredigion PenfroCeredigion Preseli + Mid and South Pembrokeshire3 Plaid, 2 Reform, 1 LabourPen‑y‑bont Bro MorgannwgBridgend + Vale of Glamorgan2 Reform, 2 Labour, 1 Conservative, 1 Plaid

In Gŵyr Abertawe, Reform, Labour and Plaid split the six seats, with Reform edging ahead on three. In Sir Gaerfyrddin, Plaid takes control with three seats, leaving Reform on two and Labour squeezed down to one. Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd is even more fragmented, with Reform on three, Labour and Plaid on one each, plus single seats for the Conservatives and Lib Dems. And in Pen‑y‑bont Bro Morgannwg, Reform and Labour again take two apiece, leaving Plaid and the Conservatives with one each.

This mirrors the trend Swansea Bay News has tracked for months: Reform surging in working‑class valleys and coastal towns, Plaid consolidating its Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion heartlands, and Labour squeezed from both sides. The new numbers show Plaid clawing back ground, especially among younger voters and Welsh speakers, while Reform’s momentum has slowed.

Demographic divides deepen

The poll highlights stark splits:

• Men lean Reform (29%), while women lean Plaid (27%).
• Young voters (16–34) back Plaid (31%) and Labour (28%), leaving Reform trailing at 14%.
• Middle‑aged voters (35–54) give Reform a commanding 36%.
• Welsh speakers overwhelmingly back Plaid (41%), while non‑Welsh speakers put Reform ahead (31%).

These divides underline the cultural and generational fault lines running through South West Wales, with Reform strongest among older, non‑Welsh‑speaking voters and Plaid dominant among younger, Welsh‑speaking communities.

From landslide to stalemate

Just months ago, Reform were riding high in South West Wales, with polls showing them pulling ahead while Plaid slipped and Labour edged back. Warnings from the First Minister that a Reform or Plaid victory could plunge Wales into “chaos” reflected that momentum. Now, the picture is more complicated: Reform’s surge has stalled, Plaid has recovered, and Labour remains stuck in third place.

The result? A looming stalemate. With no party anywhere near a majority, South West Wales’ six‑seat constituencies could decide whether Wales ends up with a Reform‑dominated Senedd, a Plaid‑Labour coalition, or another fragile cooperation deal.

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#AfanOgwrRhondda #BeaufortResearch #BrycheiniogTaweNedd #Caerfyrddin #CeredigionPenfro #GreenParty #GŵyrAbertawe #PenYBontBroMorgannwg #PlaidCymru #politics #ReformUK #SeneddElection #SeneddElections2026 #SirGaerfyrddin #WelshConservatives #WelshLiberalDemocrats