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Labour lost its connection with voters, says Welsh leader
Ken Skates says Welsh Labour lost its connection with voters before its historic defeat in May’s Senedd election. As the party meets for its first conference in opposition, he says it must rediscover its purpose and rebuild trust with people across Wales.
Labour fell from 30 Senedd seats to nine, ending its 27 years leading the Welsh government; Plaid Cymru won the most seats and Rhun ap Iorwerth became first minister. An independent review by Professor Anand Menon is due to be published on Saturday. Skates says it will set out what people want, including more power for local communities as well as for the Senedd.
In short
- Welsh Labour fell from 30 seats to nine.
- Ken Skates says the party must reconnect with voters.
- An independent review is due on Saturday.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Labour’s historic defeat suggests it had become less responsive to voters, so rebuilding trust may require listening more closely to communities and clarifying what the party stands for. Giving local communities greater influence, alongside the Senedd, could help address people’s concerns and make Welsh politics feel more accountable.
The case against
A sharp election loss does not by itself establish that Labour lost touch with voters; it may also reflect dissatisfaction with particular decisions, leadership or wider political conditions. Any response should therefore be guided by evidence about why people changed their votes, rather than assuming that a broad promise to reconnect or shift power locally will meet their needs.