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Labour win Blaenau Gwent again | Labour win Blaenau Gwent again |
(40 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 party in Wales will be very relieved to have hung on in several seats targeted by the other parties. | |
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. | 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: "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. |
Nick Smith, the new Labour MP for Blaenau Gwent, said after his victory: "I'm just delighted. It's a fantastic thing to happen." he said. | |
Plaid Cymru did try very very hard but I think they have to be realistic about what they can offer people Llanelli MP Nia Griffiths | |
He added: "People in Blaenau Gwent wanted a strong voice in Parliament and I said I would stand up for them in Parliament, and that's what I will do when I get up there. | |
"The local population and the Blaenau Gwent Labour Party have shared values and that's come through in this result tonight." | |
Labour also held onto Llanelli despite earlier doubts about the result from the returning MP Nia Griffiths. | Labour also held onto Llanelli despite earlier doubts about the result from the returning MP Nia Griffiths. |
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". |
Strong challenges | |
"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." |
As well as traditional seats across much of south Wales and key constituencies in north east Wales, Labour held Ynys Mon, where there was a keen battle with Plaid and held off strong challenges from the Tories in north Vale of Clwyd and Delyn, and Gower. | |
Carwyn Jones, Labour first minister in the Welsh assembly, said the results showed the party had 'consolidated' in Wales. | Carwyn Jones, Labour first minister in the Welsh assembly, said the results showed the party had 'consolidated' in Wales. |
"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," he added. | |