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General election 2017: Tories fail to take key target seat General election 2017: Labour take back Gower in strong night
(35 minutes later)
The Conservatives have failed to take one of their key target seats after Labour's Ian Lucas held on to Wrexham. Labour have taken back the Vale of Clwyd from the Conservatives and fought off fierce Tory battles for Bridgend and Wrexham in what has been a strong start to the night for the party.
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. Majorities in Llanelli and Newport East have also been increased.
And in a further blow to the Tories, they lost the marginal Vale of Clwyd seat to Labour. It is a huge blow to the Tories who face losing their overall majority according to an exit poll published by the BBC, ITV and Sky.
An exit poll published by the BBC, ITV and Sky indicates that the Tories will be short by 12 in Westminster. But Welsh Secretary Alun Cairns held on to his seat in the Vale of Glamorgan.
It also suggested there is some evidence the party will perform "relatively well" in Wales. Missing out on Bridgend and Wrexham is a huge blow for the Conservatives who have failed to take two of their key target seats - which Prime Minister Theresa May visited during campaigning.
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. In other results to be declared so far, shadow defence secretary Nia Griffith increasing her majority in Llanelli, while Pontypridd and Clwyd South wins were also up among others.
Elsewhere, Plaid Cymru held on to Arfon with Hywel Williams winning by 92 votes, but failed to gain its key Rhondda target seat from Labour.
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".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."
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."
'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".
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."
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.