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Labour hopes dashed in key seats Labour hopes dashed in key seats
(10 minutes later)
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. Labour has suffered blows in the Welsh assembly election with defeat in Llanelli and failure to win back the high-profile seat of Blaenau Gwent.
Before the result, Llanelli Labour MP Nia Griffith said AM Catherine Thomas had lost the seat where she had a majority of only 21. But a bad night for Labour was looking good for Plaid Cymru and Conservatives.
Labour only just held Vale of Clwyd, with a 2,769 majority falling to 112. Plaid's Helen Mary Jones turned a Labour majority of 21 into a 3,884 winning margin of her own.
In what looks a bad night for Labour, it again lost to independent Trish Law in its former seat of Blaenau Gwent. Labour only just held Vale of Clwyd, with a majority down to 112, and again lost to independent Trish Law in its former seat 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 both the Conservative and Plaid are expressing confidence that they will make gains. Labour is fighting to retain control of the assembly, but both the Conservative and Plaid expressed confidence that they would make gains.
In the first declaration of the night, Labour retained Islwyn, but its vote was 18% down.In the first declaration of the night, Labour retained Islwyn, but its vote was 18% down.
There was some good news for the party, however, with former Welsh Secretary Ron Davies failing in his bid to return to the assembly as an independent in his old seat of Caerphilly. Labour candidate Jeff Cuthbert, who replaced Mr Davies as Caerphilly AM, held off both his predecessor and a strong Plaid challenge. There was some good news for the party, however, with former Welsh Secretary Ron Davies failing in his bid to return to the assembly as an independent in his old seat of Caerphilly.
Labour candidate Jeff Cuthbert, who replaced Mr Davies as Caerphilly AM, held off both his predecessor and a strong Plaid challenge.
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."
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".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, who retained his Ynys Mon seat, 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 appeared 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".
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.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.
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.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.
Elin Jones retained Ceredigion for Plaid Cymru despite a strong Lib Dem challenge. But Lib Dem Jenny Randerson held onto Cardiff Central with 51% of the vote. Plaid's Elin Jones retained Ceredigion despite a strong Lib Dem challenge. But Lib Dem Jenny Randerson held onto Cardiff Central with 51% of the vote.
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.
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.