Massive Victory for Plaid Cymru on Ynys Môn

Island sends Rhun to Cardiff Bay

Champagne corks were popping across Anglesey and Wales last night as highly respected former BBC journalist, Rhun ap Iorwerth, recorded a resounding success and became the nation's newest Assembly Member.

Rhun, who lives with his family on the island where he also grew up, beat the shuttled-in Labour candidate Tal Michael into a distant second place with a stunning majority of 9,166 votes.

Such an emphatic result in the Assembly by-election, triggered by the stepping down of former Plaid Cymru leader and Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones, will be a sore disappointment for the Labour party who would have secured a majority in the Senedd had they taken the seat. 

Rhun ap Iorwerth AM

Newly elected Plaid Cymru - The Party of Wales AM Rhun ap Iorwerth said: 

“I am committed to being a strong local voice for the people of Ynys Môn. I will grasp with both hands every opportunity to push for action to boost our economy and create jobs on the island. I also look forward to working with Leanne Wood and my Plaid Cymru colleagues to ensure that we become the biggest party in Wales. This is a pivotal time for Anglesey, and I will work from the outset to deliver a brighter future for Ynys Môn.”

The result saw an increase of over 16% in Plaid Cymru's share of the vote:

Rhun ap Iorwerth (Plaid Cymru) 12,601 (58.24%, +16.82%) 

Tal Michael (Lab) 3,435 (15.88%, -10.33%) 

Nathan Gill (UKIP) 3,099(+14.32%) 

Neil Fairlamb (Cons) 1,843 (8.52%, -20.70%) 

Kathrine Jones (Soc Lab) 348 (1.61%) 

Steve Churchman (Lib Dem) 309 (1.43%, -1.73%) 

Plaid maj 9,166 (42.37%) 

13.58% swing Lab to Plaid 

Electorate 51,024; turnout 21,635 (42.40%, -6.29%) 

Coming hot on the heels of Plaid Cymru's huge recent success in the island's county council elections this victory represents a party that is going from strength to strength, and it is clear that people are tired of the bland indifference to Wales consistently displayed by the London-based parties such as Labour. 

The Party of Wales' positive campaign reflects a passionate desire to find real solutions to our nation's problems and to build a fair, equal and economically resurgent country of which we can all be proud. That desire is clearly now striking a chord with the people of Wales as we approach the 2016 Welsh national elections.