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 party in Wales will be very relieved to have hung on in several seats targeted by the other parties.
But Cardiff North was lost by Julie Morgan to Jonathan Evans by 194 votes.
But Cardiff North was lost by Julie Morgan to Tory Jonathan Evans by just 194 votes.
Welsh Secretary Peter Hain has asked for an investigation into the recount which took place at the Cardiff North constituency.
The Conservatives were also celebrating in the Vale of Glamorgan marginal, where Tory AM Alun Cairns won.
Mrs Morgan said it was a "great campaign" and Labour had put up a "really good show".
However, across the south Wales valleys, along with Newport and Bridgend, Labour hung on to its seats.
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 AM
After losing Cardiff North, Mrs Morgan said it had been a "great campaign" and Labour had put up a "really good show".
"It's under 200 votes and I feel it was a great showing for Labour in Cardiff. I'm committed to Cardiff and Labour.
"It's under 200 votes and I feel it was a great showing for Labour in Cardiff. I'm committed to Cardiff and Labour.
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
"I feel a great depth of affection to Cardiff North. I've always felt close to the people in the constituency," she added.
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, Mr Hain said 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.
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.
Progressive majority
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 Number 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".
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.
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.
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."
"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.
Carwyn Jones, Labour First Minister in the Welsh assembly, said: "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."
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".
Strong challenges
"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.
"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.
