Welsh First Minister Baroness Morgan appeared to take a veiled swipe at the Prime Minister this morning after Labour's by-election wipeout to Plaid Cymru.
The pair's party slumped to just 3,713 votes in Caerphilly - a backslide of a staggering 34.9 per cent compared to the 2021 Senedd election.
In the early hours, the FM vented at "difficult headwinds nationally", with Labour having lost 34 council by-elections as well as Thursday's Senedd vote since the May 1 locals.
"This was a by-election in the toughest of circumstances," Baroness Morgan said, referencing Welsh Labour MS Hefin David's death in August.
"I want to thank our candidate, Richard Tunnicliffe - a good man who stood because of his desire to serve his community."
And she congratulated Plaid's Lindsey Whittle on his victory, hailing him for his decades of service to the Valleys town as a councillor.
Baroness Morgan continued: "Welsh Labour has heard the frustration on doorsteps in Caerphilly that the need to feel change in people's lives has not been quick enough.
"We take our share of the responsibility for this result. We are listening, we are learning the lessons, and we will be come back stronger."
Earlier this year, the First Minister had promised to "call out" Sir Keir's Westminster Labour when it "gets it wrong for Wales".
Denying a "split" in the party, Baroness Morgan vowed she would "not stay silent" if the PM took decisions "we think will harm Welsh communities".
FOLLOW BELOW FOR LIVE UPDATES THROUGHOUT THE DAY…
WATCH: Reform's David Bull says Caerphilly by-election was two-horse race: 'The turquoise tidal wave continues'
ANALYSIS: Nigel Farage's biggest electoral fear REVEALED as Reform's path to power narrows
As votes piled up in the once-safe Labour seat of Caerphilly, it was clear the contest was a two-horse race between Plaid Cymru and Reform UK.
Lindsay Whittle and Llyr Powell were the beneficiaries of, as Eluned Morgan admits, “difficult headwinds nationally”.
Welsh Labour will no doubt look to point the blame at Sir Keir Starmer. From the winter fuel fiasco to small boat crisis, the Prime Minister has seen his support fragment to the left and right.
And this isn’t anything new. Most by-elections end up becoming somewhat of a referendum on the party in power. Corby in 2012, Eastleigh in 1994 and even Orpington in 1962 spring to mind.
WATCH: Tory Deputy Chairman says Caerphilly by-election result was a 'resounding hit' on Labour
Minister admits Labour has 'very tough fight' in the Senedd elections after Plaid Cymru by-election defeat
Plaid Cymru's Lindsay Whittle won the election with 15,961 votes
| PAA minister said Labour has a "very tough fight" on its hands in the Senedd elections next May after its defeat by Plaid Cymru at the Caerphilly by-election
"I certainly accept, and the First Minister – Eluned Morgan – has accepted, that we have a very tough fight on our hands for next May," Cabinet Office minister and Torfaen MP Nick Thomas-Symonds told Times Radio.
He said Labour’s loss was "disappointing" and pointed to a "fractured political landscape" in the UK.
"We will listen to the thousands of conversations that we had in Caerphilly about speeding up the pace of change," Mr Thomas-Symonds added.
Polling expert says Caerphilly by-election shows Labour in 'severe trouble'
Polling expert Sir John Curtice said the result of the Caerphilly by-election showed Labour was in "severe trouble" in Wales after Plaid Cymru won the Senedd seat.
"It does suggest that Plaid are now well placed to provide Wales with its next first minister," he told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.
"Reform will be disappointed at coming second with 36 per cent but I don’t think we should run away with the idea that this, in any way, suggests that Nigel Farage’s bubble is burst."
Sir John said Reform UK’s result is "pretty consistent" with how Mr Farage’s party has been polling generally.
'There is nowhere we can see that we can't win', Plaid Cymru leader says after 'historic' win
Rhun ap Iorwerth, the leader of Plaid Cymru, has said there is "nowhere" his party can see that it "can't win" following its Caerphilly by-election success.
He said: "I think most people were expecting a closer result than that, it wasn’t close at all.
"Plaid Cymru came through with a thumping win, it is historic.
"When you look at the journey of Welsh politics and the story of Wales, there is nowhere now we can see that we can’t win, and we have to now take this momentum forward to the Senedd election in May next year."
WATCH: Christopher Hope looks at Labour's result in the Caerphilly by-election
Appearing on GB News Breakfast today - follow live
Big names from Reform UK, Labour and the Conservatives will all be joining GB News Breakfast today following this morning's by-election.
The People's Channel is set to grill Cabinet Office Minister Nick Thomas-Symonds, Shadow Policing Minister Matt Vickers and Reform chairman Dr David Bull throughout the morning.
You'll be able to follow the trio's interviews live on GB News - and we'll bring you all the top lines on this live blog.
AS IT HAPPENED: Labour ousted in Caerphilly by-election as 107-year grip on 'safe' seat is smashed
Labour was ousted overnight in Caerphilly
|PA
Labour has been ousted in the Caerphilly by-election in a blowout to Plaid Cymru.
Lindsay Whittle of the Welsh nationalist party took home 15,961 votes, beating second-placed Reform UK's 12,113.
Labour slumped to just 3,713 votes - a backslide of a staggering 34.9 per cent compared to the 2021 Senedd election.
Turnout came to 50.43 per cent, with a total of 33,736 ballot papers being included in the count - an increase on 2021’s 44.31 per cent.
In Westminster, the Valleys town has voted Labour since 1918 - every election since the seat existed.
In Cardiff Bay, it had done the same since devolution in 1999.
But in 2025, the party’s century-long winning streak came to an end under Sir Keir Starmer’s watch.
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