Mark Drakeford’s Labour proved popular in local elections, and independents are now effectively the second-biggest party
The Welsh electoral map is split into three parts. In the post-industrial valleys and cities of the south, Labour have eight councils; in the rural west, Plaid Cymru have four; and in the rest of the country there is no overall control. Like much of the rest of Britain, the cost of living crisis and Partygate contributed towards a terrible night for Conservatives, who lost their only council, in Monmouthshire in the south-east, and lost 86 councillors overall.
Welsh Labour did well, returning 66 councillors. The party gained control of two councils, while some of its most significant advances were against the Conservatives in Monmouth and Denbighshire. While not gaining control of either council, Labour overtook the Tories as the largest party in both. Denbighshire was symbolic of Tory gains made in the 2019 general election in the north-east, a former Labour stronghold. So these losses suggest those recent gains for the Tories may well be fleeting.
Grug Muse is co-editor of the anthology book Welsh (Plural)
