Welcome to our live coverage of the Senedd 2026 election results as counting gets under way across Wales following one of the most significant votes in the nation’s political history.
Voters headed to the polls on Thursday in the first Senedd election to use Wales’ new fully proportional voting system, with 96 Members of the Senedd set to be elected across 16 new super constituencies.
The first results are expected from around 2pm, with declarations due throughout the afternoon and evening as the political future of Wales begins to take shape.
We’ll bring you the latest results, reaction, key moments and analysis throughout the day as parties battle to secure power in Cardiff Bay.
Wales is set for a new First Minister following today’s historic Senedd election results.
But what happens next, who decides, and when could Wales have a new leader in place?
Read more: https://www.wales247.co.uk/when-will-wales-get-a-new-first-minister-heres-what-happens-next
17:50pm – Results in for Fflint Wrecsam
The seats have now been allocated in Fflint Wrecsam, with Plaid Cymru and Reform UK each securing two seats.
The Conservatives and Labour both won one seat in the constituency.
17:45pm – Plaid Cymru has come out on top in Gŵyr Abertawe
Plaid Cymru has come out on top in Gŵyr Abertawe with 25,076 votes, ahead of Reform UK on 21,641 and Labour on 11,195.
Among those elected is Labour’s Mike Hedges, who returns to the Senedd after serving as an MS since 2011. Swansea councillor Francesca O’Brien will also join the Welsh Parliament.
Vote share in Gŵyr Abertawe:
PLC: 31.9%
REF: 27.5%
LAB: 14.2%
CON: 9.6%
GRN: 8.1%
LDM: 8.0%
Seats won:
PLC: 3
REF: 2
LAB: 1
17:40pm – Prime Minister pays tribute to Keir Starmer
Following the shock loss of Eluned Morgan in Ceredigion Penfro, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer paid tribute to the outgoing First Minister, praising her decades of public service and contribution to Wales.
“I want to thank Eluned Morgan for the over 30 years of service she has already given to our country and our party.
“Eluned has been a formidable First Minister and tireless champion for Wales.
“She broke barriers and has never stopped fighting for families in the communities she loves.
“Together we have worked to lift children out of poverty, cut hospital waiting lists, and create thousands of new jobs.
“I have no doubt her contribution to Wales will endure.”
17:35pm – The results are now in for Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd
The results are now in for Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd, where Reform UK secured 26,897 votes ahead of Plaid Cymru on 23,276, while the Liberal Democrats won 9,549 votes.
The result sees Reform’s James Evans return to the Senedd, alongside Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Jane Dodds, who becomes her party’s first and currently only successful candidate of the day.
Vote share in Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd:
REF: 33.2%
PLC: 28.7%
LDM: 11.8%
LAB: 8.7%
CON: 8.4%
GRN: 6.7%
Seats won:
REF: 3
PLC: 2
LDM: 1
17:30pm – Welsh Conservative leader will return to the Senedd
The results are now in for Clwyd, with Reform UK securing 25,741 votes ahead of Plaid Cymru on 22,583 and the Conservatives on 16,193.
The result means Welsh Conservative leader Darren Millar will return to the Senedd as the Conservatives hold onto representation in the constituency.
17:18pm – Reform UK has emerged as the largest party in Clwyd
Reform UK has emerged as the largest party in Clwyd, securing three seats in the constituency.
Plaid Cymru won two seats, while the Conservatives secured one seat.
Meanwhile, in Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd, Reform UK also topped the poll with three seats.
Plaid Cymru secured two seats, with the Liberal Democrats taking the remaining seat.
17:00pm – How the results unfolded for Eluned Morgan
Plaid Cymru has taken victory in Ceredigion Penfro with 31,943 votes, ahead of Reform UK on 23,003 and the Conservatives on 14,789, while Labour secured 6,495 votes.
The result marks a major defeat for Eluned Morgan, who loses her seat, while former Welsh Conservative Senedd leader Paul Davies returns to the Senedd.
Vote share in Ceredigion Penfro:
PLC: 35.8%
REF: 25.8%
CON: 16.6%
LAB: 7.3%
GRN: 7.1%
LDM: 5.2%
Seats won:
PLC: 3
REF: 2
CON: 1
16:59pm – The latest from Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf
The results are now in for Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf, with Plaid Cymru securing 32,617 votes ahead of Reform UK on 17,335, Labour on 11,261 and the Green Party on 9,036.
The result gives the Green Party its second seat of the day, while Plaid Cymru takes the largest share of representation in the constituency.
16:55pm – Historic moment has First Minister loses her seat
Wales’ First Minister Eluned Morgan has lost her seat in a major upset in Ceredigion Penfro.
The result marks one of the biggest moments of the Senedd election so far, with Labour losing one of its most senior figures.
16:50.pm – Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf result is in
Plaid Cymru has emerged as the largest party in Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf, securing three seats in the constituency.
Reform UK, Labour and the Green Party each won one seat.
16:35pm – Plaid Cymru leads
The Welsh Senedd election count has now reached the halfway stage, with Plaid Cymru currently leading the race.
The latest seat totals stand at:
Plaid Cymru – 22
Reform UK – 17
Labour Party – 5
Conservative Party – 3
Green Party – 1
Liberal Democrats – 0
16:25pm – Reform has topped the poll in Sir Fynwy Torfaen
Reform has topped the poll in Sir Fynwy Torfaen with 24,155 votes, ahead of Plaid Cymru on 18,275, the Conservatives on 13,394 and Labour on 11,672.
The result sees Reform’s Laura Jones, former Labour minister Lynne Neagle and Conservative Peter Fox among those elected to the Senedd.
Vote share in Sir Fynwy Torfaen:
REF: 31.1% (+29.8)
PLC: 23.5% (+13.9)
CON: 17.2% (-16.0)
LAB: 15.0% (-20.5)
GRN: 8.2% (+1.9)
LDM: 3.5% (-1.2)
Seats won:
PLC: 2
REF: 2
CON: 1
LAB: 1
16:25pm – Rhun ap Iorwerth will return to the Senedd
Plaid Cymru has secured victory in Bangor Conwy Môn with 21,057 votes, ahead of Reform on 19,440 and the Conservatives on 8,555.
The result means party leader Rhun ap Iorwerth will return to the Senedd to represent the area, as Plaid Cymru continues a strong start to results day.
16:15pm – a win for Labour in Afan Ogwt Rhondda
Labour’s Deputy First Minister secured a seat in the Afan Ogwr Rhondda constituency in a key result for the party at the Welsh election.
The victory strengthens Labour’s position in the area and delivers an important boost for the party as results continue to come in from across Wales.
16:05pm – another win for Plaid in Pontypridd, Cynon and Merthyr
Plaid Cymru secured three seats in the Pontypridd, Cynon and Merthyr constituency in a strong result for the party at the Welsh election.
The gains mark a significant moment for Plaid in the area, strengthening the party’s presence across the constituency and reflecting growing support from voters across the region.
15:55pm – Plaid Cymru wins Caerdydd Penarth
Plaid Cymru has secured three seats in Caerdydd Penarth following the latest declaration, with Reform, Labour and the Green Party each winning one seat.
Plaid Cymru led the constituency with 36,136 votes. Reform secured 15,525 votes, while the Green Party received 12,113 and Labour followed with 10,907 votes.
The result marks another strong performance for Plaid Cymru as results continue to be announced across Wales, while Reform, Labour and the Greens each managed to secure representation in the constituency.
Vote share:
Plaid Cymru: 41.0%
Reform UK: 17.6%
Green Party: 13.8%
Labour: 12.4%
Conservative: 7.7%
Propel: 3.9%
Liberal Democrats: 2.6%
Seats won:
Plaid Cymru: 3
Reform UK: 1
Green Party: 1
Labour: 1
Conservative: 0
Propel: 0
Liberal Democrats: 0
15:50pm – votes announced for Blaenau Gwent Caerffili Rhymni following recount
Reform and Plaid Cymru have each secured three seats following the latest declaration in Blaenau Gwent Caerffili Rhymni.
Reform won the constituency with 29,184 votes, finishing ahead of Plaid Cymru, who secured 24,973 votes.
15:40pm – third constituency announcement
Plaid Cymru and Reform have each secured three seats following the latest declaration in Sir Gaerfyrddin.
Plaid Cymru won the constituency with 36,160 votes, while Reform came second with 27,542 votes.
15:25pm – second constituency announcement
The second result of the day has now been declared in Wales.
15:05pm – First result of the day
The first result of the day has been declared in Wales, with Reform winning in Casnewydd Islwyn.
Reform secured 25,571 votes, ahead of Plaid Cymru on 23,069.
Under the new voting system, Reform and Plaid Cymru have each won two seats, while Labour and the Conservatives have secured one seat each.
13:50pm – Labour is expecting to return around 10 Members of the Senedd, party sources have indicated.
13:40pm – Counting in the Blaenau Gwent Caerffili Rhymni constituency is now nearing completion.
13:35pm – First Minster expected to lose her seat
7:30am – First results expected this afternoon
Counting to get under way across Wales, with ballot papers being verified and votes counted in all 16 of the country’s new super constituencies.
This is the first Senedd election to use Wales’ new fully proportional voting system, with 96 Members of the Senedd set to be elected under the D’Hondt method. The changes are expected to make the final result far less predictable than in previous elections.
The first declarations are expected from around 2pm this afternoon, with results continuing to come in throughout the day and into the evening.
You can read more about what happens next and how the new voting system works here: https://www.wales247.co.uk/what-happens-next-as-votes-are-counted-in-the-senedd-2026-election
Political parties across Wales will now be anxiously waiting to see whether the new electoral system delivers a dramatic shift in the balance of power in Cardiff Bay.
7:00am – Parties may need to work together to form Wales’ next government
One of the biggest questions hanging over today’s Senedd election count is not simply which party will emerge on top, but whether any party will be able to govern Wales alone.
Under the new fully proportional voting system, experts believe coalition politics could become the new normal in Cardiff Bay, with parties likely needing to work together to form a government.
The changes are designed to make the final makeup of the Senedd more reflective of how people voted across Wales, but that also makes outright majorities far less likely than under previous elections.
You can read more about why coalition governments could now become a regular feature of Welsh politics here: Why coalition politics could become the new normal in Wales
6:00am – Poll highlighted growing pressure on Labour ahead of Senedd results
Earlier this week, a major opinion poll suggested Plaid Cymru was leading the race for power in Wales ahead of today’s Senedd election count, underlining just how unpredictable this election had become.
The poll pointed towards a potentially historic result, with Labour’s long-standing dominance of Welsh politics facing one of its toughest challenges since devolution began in 1999.
It also highlighted the growing support for smaller parties under the new fully proportional voting system, with the possibility of coalition negotiations expected to play a major role once the final results are declared.
You can read more about the poll and what it suggested for the future of Welsh politics here: https://www.wales247.co.uk/plaid-cymru-leads-race-for-power-in-wales-ahead-of-senedd-election
