Labour expected to lose Senedd after century of winning elections in Wales

Key developments are emerging from the global stage. Labour expected to lose Senedd after century of winning elections in Wales60 minutes ago Share Save Add as preferred on GoogleGareth Lewis ,Wales political editor ,Shelley Phelps ,Wales Westminster correspondentandDavid Deans ,Wales political reporterReutersLabour is expected to lose the Senedd election, multiple party sources have told the , ending its 27-year-long rule in Wales. The party has won Westminster and Cardiff Bay elections in the country for more than a century, but opinion polls have suggested Plaid Cymru and Reform UK are both vying for the top spot. The Welsh government's deputy first minister, Huw Irranca-Davies, did not concede the election but said it had been "tough" for his party.

Voting closed at 22:00 BST on Thursday and counting takes place on Friday, with full coverage of the results across Wales online, television and radio. First Minister Eluned Morgan's seat is thought to be under threat, with sources speculating the Welsh Labour leader may not return to the Senedd. Although a defeat for Labour was widely expected after poor showings in recent opinion polls, a loss in Wales would have political significance of historic proportions.

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A former Welsh government minister told Wales that if the results were "as bad as predicted" then UK Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer should stand down as prime minister. PA MediaIf the predictions are correct the election will end Eluned Morgan's run as first ministerBoth Plaid and Reform have been pitching the election as a two-horse race - encouraging voters to back them over other parties. For both parties the more seats they win increases their chances of running a government on their own, or making a deal with other parties more straightforward.

No party is likely to reach a majority of 49 of the 96 Senedd seats under Wales' new proportional voting system, although Reform's Welsh leader Dan Thomas said on Tuesday that he thought it was possible for his party to achieve it. After polls closed on Thursday night, Labour's Irranca-Davies said: "We know this has been a tough election campaign, fought in difficult circumstances. "After many years in government in Wales, and with Labour now governing across the UK, there was always going to be a strong mood for change and frustration.

"The ongoing pressures people face from the cost of living are real and hurt deeply. Former Welsh counsel general Mick Antoniw told Wales the election had been the most difficult for Labour "in living memory". He said it seemed to be "more about Downing Street and immigration than Wales".

"What we have to ensure is that Wales has a progressive and stable government and that almost certainly will require responsible partnership," said Antoniw, who did not seek re-election on Thursday. Asked whether he thought Sir Keir could continue as prime minister, he said: "If the results are as bad as predicted then there will have to be a change of leadership.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.