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SENEDD: Rhun ap Iorwerth confirmed as First Minister as Plaid Cymru makes history after 27 years of Labour rule

Rhun ap Iorwerth has been confirmed as First Minister of Wales, ending 27 years of Labour leadership of the Welsh Government and making history as the first Plaid Cymru politician to hold the office.

The confirmation came following a vote in the first plenary session of the seventh Senedd, days after Plaid Cymru’s historic election victory last week saw the party win 43 of the 96 seats in the Senedd.

Forty-four Members of the Senedd voted to nominate ap Iorwerth as First Minister — 43 Plaid members plus the support of Wales’ two newly-elected Green MSs, who announced on Sunday they would back the Plaid leader. Reform UK’s Dan Thomas received 34 votes and Conservative leader Darren Millar seven.

Labour’s nine MSs abstained from the vote, as did the sole Liberal Democrat MS Jane Dodds — a decision that effectively settled the arithmetic in the chamber. With no other candidate able to attract more votes than all other candidates combined, ap Iorwerth’s path to the top job was secure.

In his first speech as First Minister, ap Iorwerth told the Senedd: “It is the greatest privilege of my life to be elected first minister in a nation that means so much to me. I’m eager to repay the trust that the people in Wales have placed in us and to achieve the change that people have stated so clearly they wish to see.”

He will lead a minority government, having confirmed last week that he would seek to govern without a formal coalition. With 43 seats, Plaid falls short of the 49 needed for a majority in the 96-seat chamber, meaning ap Iorwerth will need to build support from other parties on a vote-by-vote basis.

The session also confirmed Labour’s Huw Irranca-Davies as the new Presiding Officer — known in Welsh as the Llywydd — with Plaid’s Kerry Ferguson elected as his deputy. The Llywydd chairs Senedd proceedings and is required to remain politically impartial. The previous holder of the role, Plaid Cymru’s Elin Jones, stepped down at this election.

The political landscape ap Iorwerth inherits is dramatically different to any previous Welsh Government. Reform UK came second in the election with 34 seats, Labour were reduced to just nine, the Conservatives won seven, the Greens picked up their first ever two Senedd seats and the Liberal Democrats hold one.

Born in south Wales, ap Iorwerth, 53, grew up on Anglesey and was educated at Ysgol David Hughes before studying politics and Welsh at Cardiff University. A former BBC journalist and married father of three, he entered politics in 2013 when he won a by-election in Ynys Môn.

He took over the leadership of Plaid Cymru in 2023 during a difficult period for the party, after his predecessor Adam Price resigned in the wake of a report finding there was a culture of sexual harassment, bullying and misogyny within the organisation.

Since taking over, he has steadily rebuilt the party’s fortunes — culminating in last week’s historic result. The scale of the victory exceeded most expectations, with Plaid emerging as comfortably the largest party in the Senedd for the first time.

Ap Iorwerth is a supporter of Welsh independence, and has previously said his party would use time in government to make the case for an independent Wales. However he has ruled out holding a referendum during this first term in office.

Welsh Labour’s Mike Hedges has already warned that the new Plaid minority government could face a fresh election as early as next year if it fails to pass its first budget — a significant test for the new administration in its earliest months.

Ken Skates was appointed as interim Welsh Labour leader following the resignation of Eluned Morgan, who lost her seat in the election. Labour now faces a lengthy period of reflection and rebuilding as the official opposition — with just nine seats in a 96-member chamber.

For Wales, the significance of the moment extends beyond party politics. This is the first time since the creation of the Senedd in 1999 that the Welsh Government has not been led by Labour — a shift that marks a fundamental change in the political landscape of the nation.

SENEDD SHAKE-UP: Winners and losers revealed as First Minister on course to lose seat

A major new YouGov poll has sent shockwaves through Welsh politics — with projections suggesting the First Minister could lose her seat and Labour suffer heavy losses across west Wales.

The YouGov poll, using detailed constituency modelling for ITV Wales and Cardiff University, points to a Senedd transformed — with Plaid Cymru emerging as the largest party and Reform UK surging into second place.

Wales-wide picture: Plaid on top as Senedd expands

Across Wales, the poll suggests a dramatic shift in power as the Senedd prepares to expand from 60 to 96 members under a new electoral system.

Plaid Cymru is projected to win 43 seats, making it the largest party but still short of an overall majority.

Reform UK is forecast to take 30 seats — a huge leap for a party that has never fought a Senedd election before.

Labour is projected to fall to just 12 seats, with the Greens on 10, while the Conservatives collapse to a single MS and the Liberal Democrats fail to win any representation.

The key number is 49 — the threshold needed for a majority in the new Senedd.

Under these projections, Plaid Cymru and the Greens together would hold 53 seats, enough to form a government without Labour.

Analysts say the results point to a fragmented but firmly left-leaning Senedd — with Plaid in the strongest position to lead the next government.

Gŵyr Abertawe: big names miss out

In Gŵyr Abertawe, Labour would return incumbent MS Mike Hedges, who tops the party’s list.

But there would be no seat for Swansea Council leader Rob Stewart, who sits second — despite his high-profile role in recent national debates.

Reform UK would secure two seats, meaning former Conservative-turned-Reform councillor Francesca O’Brien would be elected alongside Steven Rodaway.

Plaid Cymru would return Gwyn Williams and Safa Elhassan, while West Cross councillor Chris Evans would take a seat for the Greens.

Sir Gaerfyrddin: Plaid dominance, Labour wiped out

In Sir Gaerfyrddin, Plaid Cymru is projected to dominate with four seats — returning Cefin Campbell, former Assembly Member Nerys Evans, ex-party leader Adam Price and Mari Arthur.

Reform would take the remaining two seats, with Gareth Beer — who came close to winning Llanelli at the last general election — joined by Carmelo Colasanto.

Labour is not projected to win a single seat in the constituency.

Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd: four-way split

In Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd, the result is finely balanced across four parties.

Plaid would return Sioned Williams and Rebeca Phillips, while Reform would elect James Evans and Iain Charles McIntosh.

Labour would hold onto one seat through Mahaboob Basha BEM — as previously reported when he topped Labour’s list for the area — while Neath Port Talbot councillor Nathan Goldup John would take a seat for the Greens.

The result would see Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Jane Dodds miss out on a seat in the constituency.

Afan Ogwr Rhondda: Labour heartland shaken

In Afan Ogwr Rhondda, Plaid is projected to take three seats, with Sera Evans, Alun Geraint Cox and Elyn Stephens all elected.

Reform would secure two seats through Benjamin McKenna and Sarah Cooper Lesard.

Labour would be reduced to a single representative — Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies — with current Rhondda MS Buffy Williams losing her place.

The result signals a major shift in one of Labour’s traditional strongholds.

Ceredigion Penfro: First Minister loses seat

In Ceredigion Penfro, Plaid would again lead with three seats, returning Elin Jones alongside Kerry Elizabeth Ferguson and Anna Nicholl.

Reform would take two seats through Susan Claire Archibald and Paul Marr, while Amy Nicholass would be elected for the Greens.

Crucially, Labour is not projected to win any representation here — meaning First Minister Eluned Morgan would lose her seat.

The constituency would also see senior Conservatives Paul Davies and Samuel Kurtz both miss out.

Big picture: political map redrawn

Across west Wales, the projections point to a dramatic political shift — with Reform UK emerging as a major force and traditional parties losing ground.

Despite the upheaval, Plaid Cymru remains the dominant party across every constituency in the region.

For voters, the implications are significant — from who represents their communities to how decisions are made on key issues like healthcare, transport and the cost of living.

With the election approaching, these results suggest one thing above all else — the political landscape in west Wales is changing fast.

And for some of Wales’ biggest political names, this could mark the end of the road.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Plaid Cymru storms ahead as shock Senedd poll predicts political earthquake
Earlier polling pointed to major shifts now playing out across west Wales.

Latest poll puts Reform and Plaid neck and neck in key battleground
South west Wales is emerging as crucial to the outcome of the election.

Experts launch “fantasy football” style Senedd election platform
New tools are helping voters track candidates and outcomes ahead of polling day.

First Minister’s surprise Swansea visit draws attention
Eluned Morgan has been out on the campaign trail across Swansea communities.

SMILE FOR THE CAMERA: Neath Port Talbot to get new surveillance blitz in major fly‑tipping crackdown

According to Welsh Government figures, 42,171 fly‑tipping incidents were reported across Wales in the last year alone, with household waste making up 71% of the total. Ministers say the £23.1m investment aims to strengthen enforcement and clean up communities. The Welsh Government also says it has provided £1.6m directly to the Fly‑tipping Action Wales programme since 2022, supporting surveillance, enforcement and education.

The national crackdown is being led by Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca‑Davies, who said there is “never any excuse for fly‑tipping” and warned that offenders will face tougher action.

Hotspots in the Crosshairs

Neath Port Talbot Council is one of a select group of local authorities to receive a dedicated grant for camera‑based enforcement projects, according to the Welsh Government. Officials say Denbighshire, Flintshire and Pembrokeshire have also been awarded funding, with lessons from the rollout to be shared nationally.

Fly‑tipping Action Wales is providing 150 new high‑tech trail cameras to target known hotspots across Wales, including sites in Neath Port Talbot.

The organisation says the cameras are designed to catch offenders in the act, providing the high‑quality evidence needed to secure prosecutions and issue fixed penalty notices.

Cllr Scott Jones, Neath Port Talbot’s Cabinet Member for Streetscene, said:

“Fly‑tipping is an environmental crime that blights our communities. By strengthening our enforcement capabilities, we are sending a clear message that this behaviour will not be tolerated in Neath Port Talbot.”

The mural behind the group — titled Don’t Waste Our Future — was created last month by pupils from Ysgol Melin alongside celebrity artist Nathan Wyburn as part of a Fly‑tipping Action Wales education project.

The artwork, which features a striking pair of watchful eyes, was designed to confront illegal dumping head‑on and has since become one of Neath Port Talbot’s most recognisable anti‑fly‑tipping landmarks.

Higher Fines Considered

The Welsh Government has confirmed it is reviewing fixed penalty levels for fly‑tipping, with the potential for fines to be increased to act as a stronger deterrent.

According to ministers, the current maximum fixed penalty for fly‑tipping in Wales is £400, while household waste duty‑of‑care offences carry a £300 limit. Both are now under review.

A Welsh Government spokesperson said:

“Illegal dumping is a blight on our communities. These new cameras and the review of fines send a clear message: if you fly‑tip in Wales, you will be caught and you will face the consequences.”

Officials are also warning residents to check that anyone they pay to remove waste is a registered carrier. The Welsh Government says that if waste is handed to an unlicensed collector and later found fly‑tipped, the householder could face a fine or prosecution.

A National Problem, A Local Solution

The wider crackdown forms part of the Welsh Government’s drive to protect the landscape and standardise enforcement across Wales. Ministers say lessons from the Neath Port Talbot rollout will be shared with other councils.

Residents are being urged by Fly‑tipping Action Wales to use only registered waste carriers when disposing of large items, as unlicensed “man with a van” services are frequently linked to illegal dumping that costs councils thousands of pounds to clear.

The push comes as new Welsh Government waste figures show Wales’ recycling rate has risen from 66.6% to 68.4% — but fly‑tipping remains a persistent and costly problem for local authorities.

Is fly‑tipping a problem on your street? Let us know below.

https://www.europesays.com/uk/727762/ Wales at “critical tipping point” as new report warns nature crisis is already here #BridgesToTheFuture #Britain #ClimateChange #DerekWalker #Environment #FutureGenerationsCommissioner #GreatBritain #HuwIrrancaDaviesMS #NaturalResourcesWales #NeilSachdev #UK #UnitedKingdom #Wales

Wales at “critical tipping point” as new report warns nature crisis is already here

Neil Sachdev issued the stark message as NRW launched its latest State of Natural Resources Report (SoNaRR 2025) – a major assessment published under the Environment Act and designed to inform political debate ahead of the Senedd elections.

The report paints a bleak picture of Wales’ natural environment, warning that the country is “one of the most nature‑depleted in the world”, with almost one in five species now at risk of extinction. Only 40% of water bodies meet good status, and ecosystems across Wales are struggling under the combined weight of climate change, pollution, habitat loss and unsustainable land use.

NRW says the pressures are now “systemic”, built into everyday life – from how homes are heated to how food is produced, how people travel and how land is developed. While progress has been made in areas such as peatland restoration, air quality legislation and the Sustainable Farming Scheme, the report warns Wales is still consuming and degrading natural resources faster than they can be replenished.

Launching the report at Cardiff University’s Spark Innovation Campus, Neil Sachdev said Wales must now embrace major systems change.

Neil Sachdev, Chair of Natural Resources Wales, said:

“SoNaRR has shown us that the most damaging pressures on nature are not confined to environmental policy. They are built into how we heat our homes, how we travel, how we grow and consume food, how we use land, and how we invest in places. If Wales is to remain a place where people and nature thrive, we must change the systems themselves – not just manage their impacts.”

He said SoNaRR was “the diagnosis”, while a new chapter titled Bridges to the Future sets out a shared response, offering a roadmap for transforming Wales’ food, energy, transport and land systems.

The launch brought together senior figures including Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca‑Davies, Future Generations Commissioner Derek Walker and Elspeth Jones, Nature Guardian for the National Infrastructure Commission Wales.

Derek Walker, Future Generations Commissioner for Wales, said:

“Nature is one of our most powerful allies in creating better lives for all of us. Without urgent, coordinated action across the public sector to halt and reverse the dangerous decline laid out in SoNaRR 2025, we are quite literally putting lives at risk unnecessarily.”

He warned that the consequences of failing to act would fall hardest on the most disadvantaged communities.

Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca‑Davies said:

“Protecting and enhancing nature is essential for people today, and for future generations. The people of Wales have made real progress – but we need to go further again. This report sets out how we can work together to respond, strengthening action to restore nature, tackle pollution and build resilience to climate change.”

The SoNaRR 2025 assessment concludes that Wales is still not meeting any of the four long‑term aims of sustainable natural resource management. Ecosystem resilience remains low, environmental risks are unevenly distributed across communities, and Wales’ consumption levels far exceed sustainable limits.

Neil Sachdev said the findings must act as a turning point.

Neil Sachdev added:

“This is not just a warning about our future; it is a reckoning with our present. If we act now, with urgency and shared ownership, Wales can lead – not just in ambition – but by delivering the scale of transformation the nation needs. If we don’t, the next SoNaRR will simply document deeper loss, higher costs and narrower choices.”

NRW says the decisions made in the coming months will shape Wales for decades, urging leaders across all sectors to use the evidence to drive bold, long‑term action.

More Environment News

Michael Sheen fronts new BBC series on South Wales contamination claims
Actor investigates decades‑old chemical pollution allegations in explosive new documentary.

Pupils and artist hit back at fly‑tippers with bold Neath Port Talbot mural
Schoolchildren team up with a celebrity artist to call out illegal dumping.

Millions of plastic bags to be scrapped in Swansea recycling shake‑up
Major overhaul aims to cut waste and boost recycling rates across the city.

Pembrokeshire wins big as Erebus offshore wind project secures UK backing
Record auction result paves the way for a major Celtic Sea renewable energy boost.

£3.6m secured to make more than 620 coal tips safe in Neath Port Talbot

The funding, confirmed through the Welsh Government’s new multiyear coal tip safety grant scheme, will be spent over the next three years as the council steps up work to manage ageing tips made increasingly unstable by extreme weather.

Neath Port Talbot has some of the highest concentrations of former coal tips in the country, many of them sitting close to homes, roads and rivers. The council said the condition of tips can change quickly, with heavy rain and storms increasing the risk of movement.

£1.2m of the funding will be used to create a dedicated Tip Management Team responsible for inspections, monitoring and planning future mitigation works. The team will work closely with the Mining Remediation Authority to ensure the council can respond quickly to any emerging risks.

A further £2.4m will go directly into mitigation works already identified as necessary to keep communities safe. These will be prioritised based on risk, with additional funding allocated if further issues are uncovered.

Neath Port Talbot is one of 10 councils to secure support through the scheme, which runs until the end of the 2028‑29 financial year. In total, £80m is being made available across Wales.

Neath Port Talbot Council Leader, Councillor Steve Hunt, said:

“Safeguarding communities from unsafe coal tips is vital. This funding shows Neath Port Talbot Council is taking a proactive approach to address the problem. We hope this provides reassurance to residents that their safety is a priority.”

The council said the work will help modernise the way coal tips are monitored, ensuring regular inspections and long‑term planning as climate change increases the likelihood of heavy rainfall and ground instability.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

New data reveals rising coal tip risk in Bridgend and Neath Port Talbot
Latest figures show increasing pressure on ageing coal tips across the region.

Landmark coal tip safety law comes into force in Wales
New legislation introduces modern monitoring and inspection rules for former coal tips.

Safety works to begin at Cwmgwrach coal tip to reduce landslip risk
Mitigation work starts at a high‑risk site to protect nearby homes and roads.

Record funding for coal tip safety works announced
More than £6.3m allocated to Neath Port Talbot as part of a national safety programme.

Welsh Government says South West Wales bathing waters rated ‘excellent’ – but sewage and pollution issues cast shadow

The 2025 results, published this week, show that 98% of bathing waters across Wales met strict environmental standards following monitoring by Natural Resources Wales (NRW). Officials say the findings demonstrate the resilience of Wales’s beaches and the success of ongoing efforts to protect water quality.

Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca‑Davies said the results reflected “our commitment to protecting water quality” and praised communities and partners for working together towards a cleaner Wales.

Mary Lewis, Head of Natural Resource Management at NRW, added:

“Our wonderful beaches and bathing waters are an important part of Wales’s identity and culture… The results reflect the dedication of our teams, partners, environmental groups and communities who protect and care for our environment.”

Local results at a glance

Sewage spills and enforcement fines temper the good news

While the classifications are positive, they come against a backdrop of ongoing public concern about water quality.

Residents in Gower have repeatedly voiced frustration over sewage spills affecting popular beaches, saying they feel “pooped off” by the frequency of incidents. Campaigners argue that these spills undermine public confidence in official bathing water ratings.

💧 What do bathing water ratings mean?

Excellent
The highest standard. Water quality is consistently very good, giving strong reassurance for swimmers and visitors.

Good
Meets high standards but with occasional dips in quality. Still safe for bathing, though less consistent than ‘excellent’ sites.

Sufficient
Passes the minimum EU and UK requirements. Bathing is permitted, but water quality may be variable and less reliable.

Poor
Fails to meet the required standards. Official advice is against bathing due to risks to health.

Who sets the ratings?
Natural Resources Wales monitors designated bathing waters during the season (May–September) and classifies them under Welsh Government regulations.

Why it matters:
Ratings guide public health advice, tourism confidence and environmental management. They reflect long‑term monitoring, not just daily conditions.

Rivers and coastlines under pressure

Beyond the beaches, rivers in South West Wales have also been highlighted as pollution hotspots. The River Tawe was recently ranked among the most sewage‑affected in the UK, raising questions about how inland water quality connects to coastal bathing standards.

In Pembrokeshire, warnings have been issued about sewage pollution at popular beaches, prompting local MPs to challenge regulators and water companies during Welsh Affairs Committee hearings.

Calls for reform and a sewage action plan

The wider debate has led to growing political pressure. Campaigners and politicians, including Welsh MPs, have called for a national sewage action plan to tackle pollution at its source. At the same time, Welsh Government has outlined plans to overhaul water regulation, promising reforms that put “people, the environment and future generations at its heart.”

Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca‑Davies acknowledged that climate change and heavy rainfall — including 170% of average levels in September — can significantly affect water quality. He said maintaining standards will require “sustained investment, innovation, and partnership working across all sectors.”

A mixed picture for South West Wales

The headline figures show South West Wales beaches performing strongly, with almost all rated ‘excellent’. But the wider context of sewage spills, enforcement fines and river pollution means the story is more complex.

For swimmers and visitors, the classifications provide reassurance about water quality at designated sites. Yet campaigners insist that behind the ratings lies a system under strain, with regulators, water companies and government facing mounting pressure to deliver lasting improvements.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Welsh Water under pressure as sewage pollution incidents hit ten‑year high
Regulators report a surge in sewage discharges, sparking calls for tougher enforcement across Wales.

Residents say they’re ‘pooped off’ with Gower sewage spills
Locals express frustration over repeated sewage incidents affecting popular beaches on the Gower peninsula.

Welsh Water fined £1.35m for over 800 breaches to sewage discharge permits
The company faces a record penalty after failing to control pollution at treatment sites across Wales.

River Tawe one of the most sewage‑filled in the UK
New analysis ranks the Tawe among Britain’s most polluted rivers, raising concerns for downstream bathing waters.

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