Sir Keir Starmer said he is “deeply disappointed” at Labour’s by-election loss in Caerphilly.
The Prime Minister said: “We clearly need to do much more,” as his party slumped to just 3,713 votes, a backslide of a staggering 34.9 per cent compared to the 2021 Senedd election.
Lindsay Whittle of the Welsh nationalist party claimed the seat, securing 15,961 votes, beating second-placed Reform UK’s 12,113.
The death of Labour MP Hefin David triggered the poll in Caerphilly, and the victorious candidate, Mr Whittle, paid tribute to him as he won.
“He will be a hard act to follow. I will never fill his shoes, but I promise you I will walk the same path that he did, and I can pay no finer tribute to an excellent man,” he said.
A Welsh Labour spokesman said: “Hefin David loved this constituency and its people. He’s been at the heart of our campaign throughout.
“This has been a tough campaign for the party for a variety of reasons, but we’re proud of what our staff and volunteers have achieved over the past six weeks and are committed to continuing to fight for Caerphilly and the Valleys.”
