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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Labour win Blaenau Gwent again | Labour win Blaenau Gwent again |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Labour have regained the south Wales valley stronghold of Blaenau Gwent, after previously losing the seat to an independent after a big party argument. | Labour have regained the south Wales valley stronghold of Blaenau Gwent, after previously losing the seat to an independent after a big party argument. |
| The swing of 29% appears to be by far the biggest in Wales, although there was also a decisive swing in most seats to the Conservatives. | |
| With all but two of Wales' 40 seats declared, Labour won 26. | With all but two of Wales' 40 seats declared, Labour won 26. |
| Welsh Secretary Peter Hain appealed to Labour to work with progressive parties if they failed to gain a majority. | Welsh Secretary Peter Hain appealed to Labour to work with progressive parties if they failed to gain a majority. |
| Speaking after his re-election in Neath constituency, Mr Hain told BBC Wales that there would be a "progressive majority" in parliament that would be in support of electoral reform, an elected second chamber and fixed-term parliaments. | Speaking after his re-election in Neath constituency, Mr Hain told BBC Wales that there would be a "progressive majority" in parliament that would be in support of electoral reform, an elected second chamber and fixed-term parliaments. |
| If there is a progressive majority in parliament... then I think we have an obligation to try to make that work Welsh Secretary Peter Hain | If there is a progressive majority in parliament... then I think we have an obligation to try to make that work Welsh Secretary Peter Hain |
| He added: "There's an anti-Tory majority across Britain, most vividly expressed in Wales". | He added: "There's an anti-Tory majority across Britain, most vividly expressed in Wales". |
| He said Labour's results in Wales were much better than many had predicted, particularly following what he called "bad" county council elections in 2008, and "dreadful" European election results last year. | He said Labour's results in Wales were much better than many had predicted, particularly following what he called "bad" county council elections in 2008, and "dreadful" European election results last year. |
| He credited an "energetic and active" Labour campaign in Wales for Labour's performance. | He credited an "energetic and active" Labour campaign in Wales for Labour's performance. |
| He said David Cameron had "thought he had the key to No 10 in his back pocket," but that Gordon Brown as prime minister was entitled to form a government with other parties who were committed to "the fundamental political reform that our bankrupt political system needs". | He said David Cameron had "thought he had the key to No 10 in his back pocket," but that Gordon Brown as prime minister was entitled to form a government with other parties who were committed to "the fundamental political reform that our bankrupt political system needs". |
| He said: "If there is a progressive majority in parliament... then I think we have an obligation to try to make that work". | He said: "If there is a progressive majority in parliament... then I think we have an obligation to try to make that work". |
| Mr Hain's remarks will be seen as a call for Labour and the Liberal Democrats to strike a deal. | Mr Hain's remarks will be seen as a call for Labour and the Liberal Democrats to strike a deal. |
| Lib Dem 'surge' | Lib Dem 'surge' |
| Labour also held onto Llanelli despite earlier doubts about the result from the returning MP Nia Griffiths. | |
| Before the Llanelli result was declared Ms Griffith told the BBC the result was too close to call and a Lib Dem "surge" had affected the vote. | Before the Llanelli result was declared Ms Griffith told the BBC the result was too close to call and a Lib Dem "surge" had affected the vote. |
| After the declaration, Ms Griffiths said the Labour vote in Wales had held up due to people's memories of previous Conservative governments and their belief that the economy was safer with Labour. | |
| Referring to the challenge from Plaid Cymru she said Westminster politics was "a big party game". | Referring to the challenge from Plaid Cymru she said Westminster politics was "a big party game". |
| "I made it very clear to people that three or even four Plaid MPs in Westminster out of 650 just will not have a chance to have an influence," she said | "I made it very clear to people that three or even four Plaid MPs in Westminster out of 650 just will not have a chance to have an influence," she said |
| A lot of people have said Labour's power base in the valleys is being eroded - clearly that's not the case First Minister Carwyn Jones | |
| She added: "It will be one of the big two parties which leads. Maybe there will be a chance for a third party to show its influence. | She added: "It will be one of the big two parties which leads. Maybe there will be a chance for a third party to show its influence. |
| "Plaid Cymru did try very very hard but I think they have to be realistic about what they can offer people." | "Plaid Cymru did try very very hard but I think they have to be realistic about what they can offer people." |
| Labour also held onto Ynys Mon, another seat where there was a keen battle with Plaid. | Labour also held onto Ynys Mon, another seat where there was a keen battle with Plaid. |
| They held off strong challenges from the Conservatives in north Vale of Clwyd and Delyn, and Gower. | They held off strong challenges from the Conservatives in north Vale of Clwyd and Delyn, and Gower. |
| Labour also retained their traditional seats across much of south Wales, and key constituencies in north east Wales. | Labour also retained their traditional seats across much of south Wales, and key constituencies in north east Wales. |
| 'Good platform' | |
| Carwyn Jones, Labour first minister in the Welsh assembly, said the results showed the party had 'consolidated' in Wales. | |
| He added: "I thought we would win Blaenau Gwent back. A lot of people have said Labour's power base in the valleys is being eroded - clearly that's not the case. | |
| "It is also good to see that we are still projected to have 26 seats in Wales - by far the largest party - and it gives us a good platform for the assembly elections next year." | |
| "We have in many, many constituencies in Wales now put together campaigning teams who are campaigning at a level that has not been seen for a generation or more and that will stand us in very good stead." |