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Labour admits defeat in key seat Labour hopes dashed in key seats
(39 minutes later)
Labour has suffered its first blow of the assembly election after admitting defeat in Llanelli, Wales' most highly marginal constituency. Labour has suffered blows in the Welsh assembly election after admitting defeat in Llanelli and failing to win the high-profile seat of Blaenau Gwent.
Before the official declaration, local Labour MP Nia Griffith said AM Catherine Thomas had lost the seat where she had a majority of only 21. Before the official declaration, Llanelli Labour MP Nia Griffith said AM Catherine Thomas had lost the seat where she had a majority of only 21.
It was the first concession by any party, with counting still under way. Labour retained Islwyn in the first declaration, but its vote was 18% down.
Labour's Irene James retained Islwyn in the first declaration of the night, but its vote was 18% down. The second result saw Labour again lose to independent Trish Law in its former heartland of Blaenau Gwent.
The full picture will take some time to emerge, with the last results not expected before 0600 BST.The full picture will take some time to emerge, with the last results not expected before 0600 BST.
It's always the case when you've been in government after 10 years - it gets harder and harder Llanelli Labour MP Nia GriffithIt's always the case when you've been in government after 10 years - it gets harder and harder Llanelli Labour MP Nia Griffith
Labour is fighting to retain control of the assembly, but early signs are of a strong Tory performance in key seats. Labour is fighting to retain control of the assembly, but both the Conservative and Plaid were expressing confidence that they would make gains.
Welsh Labour leader Rhodri Morgan said the key to the election was whether his party had got its vote out.Welsh Labour leader Rhodri Morgan said the key to the election was whether his party had got its vote out.
"There was enough Labour vote out there to get a majority but could we get them to come out on the day," he said."There was enough Labour vote out there to get a majority but could we get them to come out on the day," he said.
Expert Prof Roger Scully said: "I've been studying election results for over a decade, and I've never been as unsure as this year."Expert Prof Roger Scully said: "I've been studying election results for over a decade, and I've never been as unsure as this year."
Prof Scully, who teaches international politics at Aberystwyth University, told BBC Radio Cymru: "At the moment we have no idea what the pattern of results will be."Prof Scully, who teaches international politics at Aberystwyth University, told BBC Radio Cymru: "At the moment we have no idea what the pattern of results will be."
Llanelli MP Nia Griffith said voters were "ganging up on what they see as the best option to get rid of Labour".
We all have a responsibility to look at the results to see if we can put forward a stable government for Wales Plaid Cymru leader Ieuan Wyn JonesWe all have a responsibility to look at the results to see if we can put forward a stable government for Wales Plaid Cymru leader Ieuan Wyn Jones
Llanelli MP Nia Griffith said voters were "ganging up on what they see as the best option to get rid of Labour".
She added: "It's always the case when you've been in government after 10 years - it gets harder and harder."She added: "It's always the case when you've been in government after 10 years - it gets harder and harder."
Plaid leader Ieuan Wyn Jones said: "Indications are that in our target seats we are doing extremely well and were are going to pick up seats. That is excellent news for us.Plaid leader Ieuan Wyn Jones said: "Indications are that in our target seats we are doing extremely well and were are going to pick up seats. That is excellent news for us.
He said it looked like that Plaid candidate Helen Mary Jones had taken Llanelli, and it was also looking to pick up list seats in other areas.He said it looked like that Plaid candidate Helen Mary Jones had taken Llanelli, and it was also looking to pick up list seats in other areas.
Mr Jones said if no party had a clear majority "we all have a responsibility to look at the results to see if we can put forward a stable government for Wales".Mr Jones said if no party had a clear majority "we all have a responsibility to look at the results to see if we can put forward a stable government for Wales".
He repeated that he would not work under a Tory first minister or prop up a minority Labour one, but added that "if an agreement can be reached I'm ready to speak".He repeated that he would not work under a Tory first minister or prop up a minority Labour one, but added that "if an agreement can be reached I'm ready to speak".
In total, 485 people are competing to win one of the 60 seats for the next four years. Independent Trish Law celebrates after retaining Blaenau Gwent In Blaenau Gwent, independent Trish Law retained the seat she won at a by-election in 2006, and with an increased majority.
During the day, 82 Gower voters had to cast their votes again after a printing error led to the wrong candidates appearing on ballot papers. Blaenau Gwent had been a solid Labour seat until Mrs Law's late husband, Peter, left the party in a row over women-only shortlists to choose the parliamentary candidate. Peter Law became the independent MP and AM, and his widow won the seat last year after his death.
Letters were hand-delivered to their homes and they were also being contacted by phone urging them to return to their polling station. She has now increased her majority, with a 54% share of the vote.
Fine weather may have helped turnout at the polling booths 'Clean fight'
Returning officer Paul Smith said that every other polling station in Swansea was then checked to make sure there had not been any other printing errors. Mrs Law said the people of Blaenau Gwent had sent a clear message: "The major parties really must start putting people before politics."
Thursday's election's results will decide who will form the assembly government, which is responsible for a £14bn budget in key areas such as health and education and which will have more powers than ever before. But she said this campaign was a "clean fight" compared to the 2006 by-election, and criticised Rhodri Morgan for claiming she had had a "sympathy vote" first time round.
The results will decide who will form the assembly government, which is responsible for a £14bn budget in key areas such as health and education and which will have more powers than ever before.
Of the 60 seats up for grabs, 40 are decided as constituency seats with the remaining 20 coming from regional lists.Of the 60 seats up for grabs, 40 are decided as constituency seats with the remaining 20 coming from regional lists.
At the last election in 2003, Labour won 30 seats and formed the assembly government. Plaid Cymru were second with 12 seats, followed by 11 Tory AMs, six Liberal Democrats and one independent.At the last election in 2003, Labour won 30 seats and formed the assembly government. Plaid Cymru were second with 12 seats, followed by 11 Tory AMs, six Liberal Democrats and one independent.
However, by the end of the assembly term, Labour were down to 29 seats and there were two independent AMs.However, by the end of the assembly term, Labour were down to 29 seats and there were two independent AMs.
More than two million people were entitled to vote and politicians and pundits will also be looking closely at how many people made their way to the booths.
In 1999, 46% of voters turned out, which fell to 38% in 2003. Parties are hopeful this year's turnout will be helped by several factors including increasing familiarity with the assembly and the growing number of postal votes.In 1999, 46% of voters turned out, which fell to 38% in 2003. Parties are hopeful this year's turnout will be helped by several factors including increasing familiarity with the assembly and the growing number of postal votes.
The election results are being covered in full by BBC Wales on the news website and on radio and TV in English and Welsh throughout the night.The election results are being covered in full by BBC Wales on the news website and on radio and TV in English and Welsh throughout the night.