Welsh First Minister Eluned Morgan Loses Her Seat As Labour's Nightmare Continues

Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer, right, talks with Wales' First Minister Eluned Morgan during the first Council of Nations and Regions, at Queen Elizabeth House in Edinburgh, Scotland, Friday Oct. 11, 2024. The first minister of Wales has just lost her seat, becoming the first sitting head of government to be voted out of office in modern history. Labour’s Eluned Morgan, who has led the Welsh devolved government since 2024, was voted out of her seat during a gruelling day for the party. Labour has already taken major losses in the local elections in England amid Reform UK’s surge. Baroness Morgan of Ely refused to back Starmer as Labour leader beyond “this point in time” earlier this week. While the full results for the 96 seats in the Senedd will be announced by the end of the day, Labour has already warned that it expects to take just 10 seats – out of 96. Forty-nine seats are required for a majority. The party held 30 seats out of 60 before the Senedd expanded ahead of this current election. The results mean Labour will lose control of Wales for the first time since devolution, almost 30 years ago. The party has also been a dominant political force in the country for more than a century. Labour’s deputy first minister Huw Irranca-Davies, who has kept his seat in Afan Ogwr Rhondda, warned it was going to be an “exceptionally tough day” early on Friday. He said he would take defeat personally, adding: “All of us come into politics to do things and change the country, our community, the nation, to be better, to improve people’s lives, and to be rejected in that way is hard to take. “But I think that is part of politics as well.” The result comes as voters flock to Reform UK and Plaid Cymru in Wales. Early forecasts suggest turnout in devolved elections in Wales will exceed 50% for the first time ever amid widespread discontent towards Labour rule. Sky’s analysis suggested that Labour is holding on in the lowest turnout areas, with the smallest majorities. Subscribe to Commons People , the podcast that makes politics easy. Every week, Kevin Schofield and Kate Nicholson unpack the week’s biggest stories to keep you informed. Join us for straightforward analysis of what’s going on at Westminster. Related... 'Curtains For Keir': Labour MPs Start To Go Public With Calls For Starmer To Quit Greens Secure First Ever Directly Elected Mayor As Party Eats Into Labour's London Strongholds Exclusive: Former Labour Minister Calls For Andy Burnham To Replace Keir Starmer

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