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General election 2017: Tories fail to take key target seat General election 2017: Tories fail to take key target seat
(35 minutes later)
The Conservatives have failed to take one of their key target seats after Labour's Ian Lucas held on to Wrexham.The Conservatives have failed to take one of their key target seats after Labour's Ian Lucas held on to Wrexham.
It was a seat they were hopeful of taking at the start of the general election campaign and Prime Minister Theresa May visited during campaigning.It was a seat they were hopeful of taking at the start of the general election campaign and Prime Minister Theresa May visited during campaigning.
But as one of the first results to come through in Wales, the result signals a big blow to the Tories. And in a further blow to the Tories, they lost the marginal Vale of Clwyd seat to Labour.
An exit poll published by the BBC, ITV and Sky indicates that the Tories will be short by 12 in Westminster.An exit poll published by the BBC, ITV and Sky indicates that the Tories will be short by 12 in Westminster.
It also suggested there is some evidence the party will perform "relatively well" in Wales.It also suggested there is some evidence the party will perform "relatively well" in Wales.
But in the other result of the night to be declared so far saw Nia Griffith increasing her majority to more than 12,000. But in the other results of the night to be declared so far saw shadow defence secretary Nia Griffith increasing her majority to more than 12,000, as did Susan Elan Jones in Clwyd South.
The first results of the night saw Labour's Ms Griffith hold on to Llanelli while Ian Lucas held on to Wrexham. Prof Richard Wyn Jones from the Wales Governance Centre said Wrexham was "a brilliant result" for Labour adding the party in Wales had an "incredible ability to defend the ground they really needed to defend".
Earlier, Brexit Minister David Jones has said the exit poll suggesting his party will lose enough seats to fall short of a majority could turn out to be wrong.Earlier, Brexit Minister David Jones has said the exit poll suggesting his party will lose enough seats to fall short of a majority could turn out to be wrong.
The exit poll covers the UK, and Labour are forecast to gain 34 seats, taking their total to 266 with the Tories losing 17 and dropping to 314. But it predicts no change for Plaid Cymru with three seats.The exit poll covers the UK, and Labour are forecast to gain 34 seats, taking their total to 266 with the Tories losing 17 and dropping to 314. But it predicts no change for Plaid Cymru with three seats.
In Wales, a total of 213 candidates are standing in 40 constituencies, with most results expected to be announced from the early hours of Friday morning.In Wales, a total of 213 candidates are standing in 40 constituencies, with most results expected to be announced from the early hours of Friday morning.
Early indications suggest the turnout is higher that two years ago.Early indications suggest the turnout is higher that two years ago.
And Mr Jones, who is standing in Clwyd West, defended Mrs May's campaign tactics, saying: "I think we've always been clear as to what our [Brexit] negotiating priorities are, and I think to go beyond that, beyond the broad detail would have been unsafe.And Mr Jones, who is standing in Clwyd West, defended Mrs May's campaign tactics, saying: "I think we've always been clear as to what our [Brexit] negotiating priorities are, and I think to go beyond that, beyond the broad detail would have been unsafe.
"Clearly we have got to make sure we keep our cards close to our chest because the negotiations are going to be starting only two weeks after this election today.""Clearly we have got to make sure we keep our cards close to our chest because the negotiations are going to be starting only two weeks after this election today."
First Minister Carwyn Jones said Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn ran a "superb" campaign in a "volatile" environment.First Minister Carwyn Jones said Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn ran a "superb" campaign in a "volatile" environment.
"He's spoken to members of the public," said Mr Jones."He's spoken to members of the public," said Mr Jones.
"He didn't speak to meetings that were just full of people exactly like him, he took part in leadership debates, he listened to people and that was the difference in this campaign.""He didn't speak to meetings that were just full of people exactly like him, he took part in leadership debates, he listened to people and that was the difference in this campaign."
Labour's Stephen Kinnock, who is hoping to be returned to his Aberavon seat, called the Tory campaign "the worst in living memory".Labour's Stephen Kinnock, who is hoping to be returned to his Aberavon seat, called the Tory campaign "the worst in living memory".
He added: "The story of tonight is that Theresa May has with great hubris and arrogance, called a general election and it's backfired on her in a big way."He added: "The story of tonight is that Theresa May has with great hubris and arrogance, called a general election and it's backfired on her in a big way."
'Squeezed''Squeezed'
Going into the election, Labour held 25 seats in Wales, the Conservatives 11, Plaid three and Liberal Democrats one.Going into the election, Labour held 25 seats in Wales, the Conservatives 11, Plaid three and Liberal Democrats one.
During the campaign, the Tories targeted Labour seats in Wrexham and Clwyd South along with Bridgend and Newport West.During the campaign, the Tories targeted Labour seats in Wrexham and Clwyd South along with Bridgend and Newport West.
Labour have Gower in their sights, which they narrowly lost to the Conservatives two years ago by 27 votes.Labour have Gower in their sights, which they narrowly lost to the Conservatives two years ago by 27 votes.
A senior Welsh Conservative source believes Gower is "gone", with Vale of Glam and Cardiff north looking "very very tight".A senior Welsh Conservative source believes Gower is "gone", with Vale of Glam and Cardiff north looking "very very tight".
Former Plaid Cymru leader Ieuan Wyn Jones, who is looking to return to Westminster in the Ynys Mon seat, said: "It does look as though Plaid has been squeezed in many parts of Wales."Former Plaid Cymru leader Ieuan Wyn Jones, who is looking to return to Westminster in the Ynys Mon seat, said: "It does look as though Plaid has been squeezed in many parts of Wales."
Neil Hamilton, UKIP's Welsh assembly group leader, also said his party has "been squeezed" in this election, but he remained hopeful for the party's future.Neil Hamilton, UKIP's Welsh assembly group leader, also said his party has "been squeezed" in this election, but he remained hopeful for the party's future.
Senior Welsh Liberal Democrat Baroness Jenny Randerson, said the party has suffered at UK level, adding: "Your airtime declines and therefore it becomes much more difficult to make your case. It's been a tough election."Senior Welsh Liberal Democrat Baroness Jenny Randerson, said the party has suffered at UK level, adding: "Your airtime declines and therefore it becomes much more difficult to make your case. It's been a tough election."
Jac Larner, political researcher at Cardiff University said: "Surprisingly, it suggests that the Conservatives may do slightly better in Wales than in England, possibly gaining seats from Labour.
"If this is correct then opinion polling throughout the campaign suggests that Labour's cluster of four seats in north east Wales, in addition to Bridgend and possibly Newport West, are the most vulnerable."
There is full coverage of the results and their implications across BBC Wales television, radio and online.There is full coverage of the results and their implications across BBC Wales television, radio and online.