IN A REFLECTION of the national Senedd election results, Fflint Wrecsam saw Plaid Cymru and Reform lead the way.
Both parties claimed two of the six available seats under Wales’ new proportional representation system following a tense vote count at Wrexham University Sports Centre at Plas Coch, in the shadow of the Stok Cae Ras.
Reform won the popular vote, receiving 25,439 of the 70,167 votes cast, 36.2% of the vote. Plaid took 26.2% with 18,440 votes.
Embattled Labour and the Conservatives clung on to a single seat each to complete the set.
After the result was declared by Returning Officer Alwyn Jones, Plaid Cymru reacted to what was an historic result for them in the region.
“It’s been a really long day but it was a very thorough process and I would like to thank the count staff,” said Plaid Cymru’s newest Senedd Member Carrie Harper. “It’s really just an absolute privilege to come out of this process as the MS for Wrexham, my own patch, it means a lot.
“We’ve been building our movement over 20 years so to see that come to fruition and to see all of those people coming over to Plaid Cymru, putting their faith in us, is fantastic.
“We want to deliver something better for people, we know there’s a better option.”
Asked what comes next, Carrie had a few ideas.
“One of the biggest things people raise is health. As a party we’ve got detailed plans around health.
“More locally, parking over at the Maelor Hospital is a very big issue and I think people would expect me to get cracking with that straight away as well.”
Despite having narrowly held on to his seat with the last round of voting going to a vote check, incumbent Labour MS Ken Skates was reflective about a tough day for Labour in Fflint Wrecsam, Wales and the UK.
“It’s not a day that I want to live through again,” he said. “I’m obviously honoured and humble to be re-elected, but it’s devastating losing Jack Sargeant as a colleague.
“It was pretty nervewracking when you’ve got 70,000 people having voted, and it comes down to just 100 votes.
“We’ve got to reconnect with people and that doesn’t just mean looking at our purpose, it also means looking at our priorities. It means a laser-like focus on improving services and it also means adapting to the modern times of communication.
“We have to utilise modern communications better than we have in the past, myself included. We’re going to have to take on Reform on their terms and use social media far more effectively.
“Tomorrow we must start rebuilding the party in the way that society needs, from the branch up and the community up. There is so much disillusionment in society and I think it’s because we are losing that person-to-person connection.”
Plaid Cymru’s Marc Jones, who also secured a Senedd seat, said he was proud people had put faith in him and the party.
“It’s nice that people have put their faith in me and the team and it’ll be interesting to see how that plays out in Cardiff,” he said.
“I’m looking forward for this to be a transformational government where we actually make a difference for Flintshire and Wrexham because this is a brilliant place, an economic powerhouse where I grew up and have lived for over 40 years.
“We first noticed in 2021 that we had a breakthrough in Wrexham, but this is that breakthrough on steroids.
“We wondered how well we would do in Flintshire because it’s not an area where we’ve got any councillors, but they have backed us too.
“I’m really looking forward now to making sure we represent every part of the region, from Bagillt in the north to Penley in the south that we represent every part of the constituency.
“We must make sure the voice of this area is heard in Cardiff because there is a sense that people haven’t been listening to us.”
“Today we have made history,” said Christina Emsley in her acceptance speech. “I will say what others won’t, I will look where others won’t and I will fight where others step back.
“This is not just a win, it’s a message. A message that people have had enough. Enough of politics that talk but does not listen. Today you have chosen honesty over comfort, courage over silence and change over the status quo.”
Fellow new Reform Senedd Member Nigel Williams added: “Thank you for putting your trust in me.
“This in an historic day for Reform and an historic day for Wales. We are proud to be Welsh and we are going to take our campaign all the way to the Senedd for those who voted for us and those who didn’t, for everyone.”
Conservative Sam Rowlands, who also just held onto his seat under the proportional representation system, paid tribute to retiring MS Mark Isherwood.
“I’d like to take a moment to recognise Mark for the legacy he has left in our party here in North Wales as an elected member for so long,” he said. “We are here as public servants.
“This is not about the personal, we are here to serve the people and I assure the people of Fflint Wrecsam I will serve you with integrity, honesty and I’m sure my fellow candidates will do the same.”
