Yahoo News Llanelli general election 2024: Labour hold seat despite huge scare from Reform UK
Labour have managed to retain the seat of Llanelli despite a strong showing from Reform UK who managed to secure more than 11,000 votes across the constituency. Nia Griffith, who has been Llanelli MP since 2005, returns for another terms after claminng her sixth consecutive election win.
Ms Griffth secured 12,751 votes, a majority of 1,504 from an overall turnout of 40,868. While she was predicted by many to retain her seat, there was something of a surprise in store as the results came with Reform UK finishing a close second.
The party, led by Nigel Farage nationally and represented by Gareth Beer locally, secured 11,247 votes in Llanelli, 1,736 ahead of third place Plaid Cymru, who had 9,511.
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There were no loud cheers from inside Selwyn Samuel Centre in the heart of the town as the result was announced, but Ms Griffith received a warm applause from those gathered after she spoke on stage.
A full breakdown of the results can be seen below:
Nia Griffith (Labour): 12,751
Rhodri Davies (Plaid Cymru): 9,511
Richard Beer (Reform UK): 11,247
Charlie Evans (Conservative): 4,275
Chris Passmore (Liberal Democrats): 1,254
Karen Laurence (Green Party): 1,106
Stan Robinson (UKIP) 600
The overall number of votes cast in Llanelli was 40,868.
Victorious Ms Griffith said: “I very much hope that by the end of the night we will have a Labour government in Westminster and Keir Starmer as Prime Minister so that we can make a real difference to the lives of people here in Llanelli - securing stability in the economy, to give business and industry the confidence they need to invest in the jobs of the future, bringing down NHS waiting lists, giving every young person opportunities in life, putting more police on the beat, and investing massively in renewable energy."
Speaking about inroads made by Reform UK across the UK, party candidate Gareth Beer said: “We need to provide an alternative for the people and we need to speak up for the people and provide an alternative. The Conservatives have done it to themselves; they’ve literally imploded their own party. Five years ago they made lots of promises, lots of ambition, and pretty much they’ve done none of it. They have made a rod for their own back and Reform is filling in that gap I suppose. We’re a popular party with popular policies.”Nia Griffith has been re-elected as Labour MP in Llanelli.
Llanelli was seen as a safe Labour seat and has been represented by Ms Griffith since 2005. She was one of seven candidates standing for election this time.
Where does the constituency cover?
It includes Llanelli town, Pembrey, Llannon, Pontyberem, Llangennech and Hendy.
