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The 2024 United Kingdom general election was held on Thursday, 4 July 2024. Thirty-two seats were up for election in Wales as the general election occurred after the recently completed boundary review took effect. The Labour Party won a landslide victory of Welsh MPs, gaining six seats for a total of 27. Both Plaid Cymru and the Liberal Democrats made gains, taking them to four seats and one seat respectively. The Conservatives lost all thirteen seats they had held previously, leaving the party without Westminster representation from Wales for the first time since 2005.

Election

Date of the election

On 22 May 2024, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced 4 July 2024 as the election date.[1]

Number of Welsh MPs

Welsh constituencies to be used in the election, labelled.

As required by the Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Act 2011 as amended by the Parliamentary Constituencies Act 2020, the number of seats in Wales must be reduced from 40 to 32 to more accurately reflect its share of registered voters, including one coinciding with the Isle of Anglesey. The Boundary Commission for Wales is responsible for drawing up proposals for the new constituency boundaries, but it must abide by this total.

The 2023 Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies began in 2020 and concluded in 2023. Initial proposals were published in September 2021.[2] The revised proposals were published on 19 October 2022 followed by a four-week consultation period.[3] On 28 June 2023, the Boundary Commission for Wales published its final recommendations for the new Welsh constituencies.[4] These changes were approved at a meeting of the Privy Council on 15 November.[5] and came into force on 29 November.[6]

Constituencies

Members not standing for re-election

MP Seat First elected Party Date announced
Wayne David Caerphilly 2001 Labour 11 February 2022[7]
Hywel Williams Arfon 2001 Plaid Cymru 11 November 2022[8]
David Jones Clwyd West 2005 Conservative 20 September 2023[9]
Christina Rees Neath 2015 Labour 1 February 2024[10]
Kevin Brennan Cardiff West 2001 Labour 27 May 2024[11]
Geraint Davies Swansea West 1997[a] Labour[b] 28 May 2024[12]
Jonathan Edwards Carmarthen East and Dinefwr 2010 Plaid Cymru[c] 28 May 2024[13]
Jamie Wallis Bridgend 2019 Conservative 22 October 2023[14]
Beth Winter Cynon Valley[d] 2019 Labour 7 June 2023[15]

Candidates

Parties Number of
candidates[16]
Conservative Party 32
Green Party of England and Wales 32
Labour Party 32
Liberal Democrats 32
Plaid Cymru 31
Reform UK 31
Independents 17 (15 constituencies)
Heritage Party 6
Workers Party of Britain 4
Abolish the Welsh Assembly Party 3
Co-operative Party 3[17]
Official Monster Raving Loony Party 2
Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition 2
Women's Equality Party 2
Climate Party 1
Communist Party of Britain 1
Libertarian Party (UK) 1
Propel 1
Socialist Labour Party (UK) 1
True and Fair Party 1
UK Independence Party 1
Total 235

Results

By affiliation

Affiliation[18] Candidates Seats Aggregate votes
Total Gains Losses Net Of all (%) Total Of all (%) Differ­ence
Labour 32 27 +8 0 Increase 9 64.1 487,636 37.5 Decrease 3.9
Plaid Cymru 31 4 +2 0 Increase 2 12.5 194,811 14.8 Increase 4.9
Liberal Democrats 32 1 +1 0 Increase 1 3.1 85,911 6.5 Increase 0.5
Conservative 32 0 0 −12 Decrease 12 0.0 240,003 18.2 Decrease 17.9
Reform UK 31 0 0 0 Steady 0.0 223,018 16.9 Increase 11.5
Green 32 0 0 0 Steady 0.0 61,662 4.7 Increase 3.7
Independent 17 0 0 0 Steady 0.0 17,593 1.3 Increase 0.9
Workers Party 4 0 Did not stand in 2019 0.0 1,545 0.1
Abolish 3 0 Did not stand in 2019 0.0 1,521 0.1
Propel 1 0 Did not stand in 2019 0.0 1,041 0.1
Heritage 6 0 Did not stand in 2019 0.0 926 0.1
UKIP 1 0 Did not stand in 2019 0.0 600 0.0
Women's Equality 2 0 Did not stand in 2019 0.0 536 0.0
TUSC 2 0 Did not stand in 2019 0.0 532 0.0
Communist 1 0 Did not stand in 2019 0.0 521 0.0
Libertarian 1 0 Did not stand in 2019 0.0 439 0.0
Socialist Labour 1 0 Did not stand in 2019 0.0 424 0.0
Monster Raving Loony 2 0 0 0 Steady 0.0 393 0.0 Steady
True & Fair 1 0 Did not stand in 2019 0.0 255 0.0
Climate 1 0 Did not stand in 2019 0.0 104 0.0
Total 235 32 1,319,076 56.0

By constituency

Constituency 2019
seat
2024 seat Votes Turnout
Party Candidate Votes Share Margin Lab. Con. Ref. PC Lib. Dem. Green Other Total

Aberafan Maesteg Lab Lab Stephen Kinnock 17,838 49.9% 10,354 17,838 2,903 7,484 4,719 916 1,094 801 35,755 49.3%
Alyn and Deeside Lab Lab Mark Tami 18,395 42.4% 8,794 18,395 7,892 9,601 1,938 2,065 1,926 1,575 43,392 57.3%
Bangor Aberconwy Con Lab Claire Hughes 14,008 33.6% 4,896 14,008 9,036 6,091 9,112 1,524 1,361 528 41,660 60.0%
Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney Lab Lab Nick Smith 16,027 53.6% 12,183 16,027 3,776 3,844 1,268 1,719 3,288 29,922 43.0%
Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe Con LD David Chadwick 13,736 29.5% 1,472 9,904 12,264 6,567 2,280 13,736 1,188 609 46,548 64.0%
Bridgend Con Lab Chris Elmore 16,516 39.9% 8,595 16,516 6,764 7,921 3,629 1,446 1,760 3,338 41,482 56.7%
Caerfyrddin Con PC Ann Davies 15,520 34.0% 4,505 10,985 8,825 6,944 15,520 1,461 1,371 498 45,604 62.0%
Caerphilly Lab Lab Chris Evans 14,538 38.0% 6,419 14,538 4,385 7,754 8,119 1,788 1,650 38,234 52.6%
Cardiff East Lab Lab Jo Stevens 15,833 40.5% 9,097 15,833 3,913 4,980 3,550 6,736 3,916 195 39,123 53.7%
Cardiff North Lab Lab Anna McMorrin 20,849 43.9% 11,207 20,849 9,642 5,985 4,669 3,168 3,160 47,473 66.5%
Cardiff South and Penarth Lab Lab Stephen Doughty 17,428 44.5% 11,767 17,428 5,459 4,493 3,227 2,908 5,661 39,176 54.0%
Cardiff West Lab Lab Alex Barros-Curtis 16,442 36.7% 7,019 16,442 6,835 5,626 9,423 1,921 3,157 1,353 44,757 59.3%
Ceredigion Preseli PC PC Ben Lake 21,738 46.9% 14,789 5,386 4,763 5,374 21,738 6,949 1,864 228 46,302 61.2%
Clwyd East Con Lab Becky Gittins 18,484 38.7% 4,622 18,484 13,862 7,626 3,733 1,859 1,659 599 47,822 62.4%
Clwyd North Con Lab Gill German 14,794 35.5% 1,196 14,794 13,598 7,000 3,159 1,685 1,391 41,627 55.5%
Dwyfor Meirionnydd PC PC Liz Saville Roberts 21,788 53.9% 15,876 5,912 4,712 4,857 21,788 1,381 1,448 297 40,395 55.3%
Gower Lab Lab Tonia Antoniazzi 20,480 43.4% 11,567 20,480 8,913 8,530 3,942 2,593 2,488 283 47,229 62.0%
Llanelli Lab Lab Nia Griffith 12,751 31.3% 1,504 12,751 4,275 11,247 9,511 1,254 1,106 600 40,744 57.0%
Merthyr Tydfil and Aberdare Lab Lab Gerald Jones 15,791 44.8% 7,447 15,791 2,687 8,344 4,768 1,276 1,231 1,118 35,215 47.3%
Mid and South Pembrokeshire Con Lab Henry Tufnell 16,505 35.4% 1,878 16,505 14,627 7,828 2,962 2,372 1,654 681 46,629 59.2%
Monmouthshire Con Lab Catherine Fookes 21,010 41.3% 3,338 21,010 17,672 5,438 1,273 2,279 2,357 815 50,844 68.0%
Montgomeryshire and Glyndŵr Con Lab Steve Witherden 12,709 29.4% 3,815 12,709 7,775 8,894 5,667 6,470 1,744 43,259 58.4%
Neath and Swansea East Lab Lab Carolyn Harris 16,797 41.8% 6,627 16,797 3,765 10,170 5,350 2,344 1,711 40,137 52.5%
Newport East Lab Lab Jessica Morden 16,370 42.5% 9,009 16,370 6,487 7,361 2,239 2,045 2,092 1,937 38,531 50.0%
Newport West and Islwyn Lab Lab Ruth Jones 17,409 41.5% 8,868 17,409 6,710 8,541 3,529 2,087 2,078 1,597 41,951 55.4%
Pontypridd Lab Lab Alex Davies-Jones 16,225 41.2% 8,402 16,225 3,775 7,823 5,275 1,606 1,865 2,809 39,378 52.5%
Rhondda and Ogmore Lab Lab Chris Bryant 17,118 47.8% 7,790 17,118 2,050 9,328 5,198 935 1,177 35,806 48.1%
Swansea West Lab Lab Torsten Bell 14,761 41.4% 8,515 14,761 3,536 6,246 4,105 4,367 2,305 337 35,657 48.0%
Torfaen Lab Lab Nick Thomas-Symonds 15,176 42.5% 7,322 15,176 5,737 7,854 2,571 1,644 1,705 1,018 35,705 49.9%
Vale of Glamorgan Con Lab Kanishka Narayan 17,740 38.7% 4,216 17,740 13,524 6,973 3,245 1,612 1,881 851 45,826 61.6%
Wrexham Con Lab Andrew Ranger 15,836 39.2% 5,948 15,836 9,888 6,915 4,138 1,777 1,339 480 40,373 57.5%
Ynys Môn Con PC Llinos Medi 10,590 32.5% 637 7,619 9,953 3,223 10,590 439 604 200 32,628 61.4%
All constituencies N/A 487,636 240,003 223,018 194,811 85,911 61,662 35,919 1,319,076 56.0%
37.0% 18.2% 16.9% 14.8% 6.5% 4.7% 2.7% 100.0%
Seats
27 0 0 4 1 0 0 32
84% 0% 0% 13% 3.2% 0% 0% 100.0%

By affiliate share

Aggregate votes
Labour
37%
Conservative
18.2%
Reform UK
16.9%
Plaid Cymru
14.8%
Liberal Democrats
6.5%
Greens
4.7%
Seats
Labour
84.375%
Plaid Cymru
12.5%
Liberal Democrats
3.125%

Candidates by constituency

Candidates in bold won their respective constituency election.

Opinion polling

The dates for these opinion polls range from the 2019 general election on 12 December to the present day.

Poll results

Graph of opinion polls conducted in Wales
Dates
conducted
Pollster Client Sample
size
Lab Con Plaid Cymru Lib Dems Reform Green Others Lead
4 Jul 2024 2024 general election[19] 37.0% 18.2% 14.8% 6.5% 16.9% 4.7% 1.9% 18.8
27 Jun1 Jul 2024 YouGov Barn Cymru 1,072 40% 16% 14% 7% 16% 5% 2% 24
24–28 Jun 2024 More in Common N/A 848 42% 22% 9% 4% 14% 5% 4% 20
19–20 Jun 2024 Redfield & Wilton N/A 930 46% 15% 10% 7% 17% 4% 1% 29
14–18 Jun 2024 Savanta N/A 1,026 49% 19% 12% 5% 12% 3% - 30
5–7 Jun 2024 Redfield & Wilton N/A 960 45% 18% 11% 5% 18% 4% 0% 27
30 May3 Jun 2024 YouGov Barn Cymru 1,066 45% 18% 12% 5% 13% 4% 1% 27
22–27 May 2024 More in Common N/A 805 45% 21% 13% 4% 12% 3% 1% 24
22 May 2024 Rishi Sunak announces that a general election will be held on 4 July 2024
18–19 May 2024 Redfield & Wilton N/A 900 43% 19% 14% 3% 15% 6% 1% 24
22–23 Apr 2024 Redfield & Wilton N/A 840 40% 18% 14% 6% 18% 4% 0% 22
23–24 Mar 2024 Redfield & Wilton N/A 878 49% 16% 10% 5% 15% 5% 1% 33
20 Mar 2024 Vaughan Gething becomes First Minister of Wales[20]
18 Feb 2024 Redfield & Wilton N/A 874 45% 22% 10% 5% 13% 5% 1% 23
24–26 Jan 2024 Redfield & Wilton N/A 1,100 48% 20% 10% 4% 12% 4% 1% 28
10–11 Dec 2023 Redfield & Wilton N/A 1,086 47% 22% 11% 6% 10% 2% 0% 25
4–7 Dec 2023 YouGov Barn Cymru 1,004 42% 20% 15% 7% 12% 3% 1% 22
12–13 Nov 2023 Redfield & Wilton N/A 1,100 44% 24% 13% 4% 9% 5% 1% 20
14–15 Oct 2023 Redfield & Wilton N/A 959 46% 26% 10% 3% 10% 4% 0% 20
16–17 Sep 2023 Redfield & Wilton N/A 1,172 44% 22% 10% 9% 7% 6% 1% 22
1–6 Sep 2023 YouGov Barn Cymru 1,051 50% 19% 12% 5% 8% 5% 2% 31
13–14 Aug 2023 Redfield & Wilton N/A 1,068 41% 24% 13% 7% 11% 4% 0% 17
14–16 Jul 2023 Redfield & Wilton N/A 1,050 46% 24% 10% 7% 10% 3% 1% 22
17–18 Jun 2023 Redfield & Wilton N/A 1,000 43% 22% 10% 7% 12% 4% 1% 21
16 Jun 2023 Rhun ap Iorwerth becomes leader of Plaid Cymru[21]
12–17 May 2023 YouGov Barn Cymru 1,064 49% 19% 10% 8% 9% 4% 1% 30
14–15 May 2023 Redfield & Wilton N/A 1,058 43% 23% 11% 8% 9% 4% 1% 20
15–17 Apr 2023 Redfield & Wilton N/A 1,251 44% 24% 12% 7% 9% 4% 0% 20
17–23 Feb 2023 YouGov WalesOnline 1,083 53% 19% 12% 4% 8% 3% 1% 34
3–7 Feb 2023 YouGov Barn Cymru 1,081 49% 20% 14% 5% 9% 3% 1% 29
25 Nov1 Dec 2022 YouGov Barn Cymru 1,042 51% 18% 13% 4% 8% 4% 2% 33
30 Sep4 Oct 2022 Survation 38 Degrees 6,012 51% 24% 13% 6% 6% 27
20–22 Sep 2022 YouGov Barn Cymru 1,014 46% 23% 15% 5% 5% 3% 3% 23
12–16 Jun 2022 YouGov Barn Cymru 1,020 41% 26% 16% 7% 4% 4% 2% 15
5 May 2022 Local elections held in Wales[22]
25 Feb1 Mar 2022 YouGov Barn Cymru 1,086 41% 26% 13% 7% 6% 4% 3% 15
13–16 Dec 2021 YouGov Barn Cymru 1,009 41% 26% 13% 3% 7% 6% 3% 15
27 Sep1 Oct 2021 YouGov ? ? 39% 29% 17% 3% 5% 7% 10
13–16 Sep 2021 YouGov ITV Cymru Wales/Cardiff University 1,071 37% 31% 15% 4% 6% 5% 2% 6
6 May 2021 Election to the Senedd[23]
2–4 May 2021 YouGov ITV Cymru Wales/Cardiff University 1,071 37% 36% 14% 3% 4% 3% 3% 1
18–21 Apr 2021 YouGov ITV Cymru Wales/Cardiff University 1,142 37% 33% 18% 2% 3% 4% 3% 4
9–19 Apr 2021 Opinium Sky News 2,005 42% 33% 14% 3% 3%
5%
UKIP on 3%
Other on 2%
9
16–19 Mar 2021 YouGov ITV Cymru Wales/Cardiff University 1,174 35% 35% 17% 4% 2% 3% 3% Tie
24 Jan 2021 Andrew RT Davies becomes leader of the Welsh Conservatives[24]
11–14 Jan 2021 YouGov ITV Cymru Wales/Cardiff University 1,018 36% 33% 17% 3% 5% 4% 2% 3
26–30 Oct 2020 YouGov ITV Cymru Wales/Cardiff University 1,013 43% 32% 13% 3% 5% 3% 2% 11
28 Aug4 Sep 2020 YouGov ITV Cymru Wales/Cardiff University 1,110 41% 33% 15% 2% 4% 3% 2% 8
29 May1 Jun 2020 YouGov ITV Cymru Wales/Cardiff University 1,021 39% 35% 15% 5% 2% 3% 1% 4
3–7 Apr 2020 YouGov ITV Cymru Wales/Cardiff University 1,008 34% 46% 11% 4% 3% 2% 0% 12
20–26 Jan 2020 YouGov ITV Cymru Wales/Cardiff University 1,037 36% 41% 13% 5% 3% 2% 1% 5
12 Dec 2019 2019 general election 40.9% 36.1% 9.9% 6.0% 5.4% 1.0% 0.7% 4.8

Seat projections

Dates
conducted
Pollster Sample
size
Lab. Con. PC LD Notes
20 Oct 2022 People Polling 1,237 35 0 4 1 Based on 40 seats. Seats were reduced to 32.
12 Dec 2019 2019 general election 22 14 4 0

Analysis

The Labour Party remained the largest party in Wales, winning 27 of the 32 seats. In addition to defending all of their seats in the south including around Cardiff and Swansea, Labour reversed many of the Conservative gains in 2019, gaining seats such as Bangor Aberconwy, Clwyd East, Clwyd North, Monmouthshire and Wrexham. Labour also won in Montgomeryshire and Glyndŵr, which had been until 2024 the only area in Wales which had never elected a Labour MP.

Plaid Cymru won four seats, the same as in 2019, however given boundary changes and the reduction in seats this should be counted as two gains. Plaid Cymru defended Dwyfor Meirionnydd and Ceredigion Preseli with significant majorities, gaining the new seat of Caerfyrddin which had been nominally Conservative in 2019, and gained Ynys Môn from the Conservatives. This was the first time Plaid Cymru had won in Ynys Môn since 2001, it was the most marginal seat in Wales with a majority of 637 votes between Plaid and Conservatives, with Labour in close third place. By the share of the vote (14.8 per cent), Plaid Cymru achieved their best ever result in UK general election.

The Liberal Democrats gained one seat in Wales, Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe. Outside of briefly holding the predecessor seat following the 2019 Brecon and Radnorshire by-election, the Liberal Democrats have not had a seat in Wales since losing Ceredigion in 2017.

The Conservative Party lost every seat in Wales, having won fourteen seats in 2019, the first time since 2001 that Wales had no Conservative MPs. This was despite the Conservatives taking 18.2% of the overall vote and outpolling both Plaid Cymru and the Liberal Democrats in terms of votes.

Reform UK was the third largest party in terms of votes with 16.9%, nearly as much votes as the Conservatives and more than both Plaid Cymru and the Liberal Democrats. Reform was the runner-up in twelve constituencies, coming closest to winning in Llanelli. The Green Party was runner-up in one constituency, Cardiff South and Penarth.

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Originally elected as the MP for Croydon Central in the 1997 general election, but lost his seat in 2005; elected for Swansea West in 2010.
  2. ^ Sat as an independent from June 2023.
  3. ^ Sat as an independent from July 2020.
  4. ^ Constituency was abolished and Winter lost the contest to be selected for another seat
  5. ^ Incumbent MP for Islwyn
  6. ^ Was member of the Welsh Assembly for South Wales East from 2011 to 2016
  7. ^ An MEP for Wales (2019–2020)
  8. ^ Was MP for Ceredigion (2005–2017)
  9. ^ Was not reselected as a candidate
  10. ^ Baynes was the incumbent MP for Clwyd South in Wales, and stood in North Shropshire in England.
  11. ^ Incumbent MP for Swansea East

References

  1. ^ "Rishi Sunak announces 4 July general election". BBC News. 22 May 2024. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
  2. ^ Hayward, Will (19 October 2022). "New plans to cut the number of Welsh MPs and create new constituencies". WalesOnline. Retrieved 20 October 2022.
  3. ^ Masters, Adrian (19 October 2022). "Number of Welsh MPs to be cut from 40 to 32 under new proposals". ITV News. Retrieved 20 October 2022.
  4. ^ "Wales' new parliamentary constituencies published". Boundary Commission for Wales. 28 June 2023. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
  5. ^ "List of Business - 15th November 2023" (PDF). Privy Council Office. 23 November 2023.
  6. ^ "The Parliamentary Constituencies Order 2023", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, 15 November 2023, SI 2023/1230
  7. ^ "Caerphilly Labour MP Wayne David to retire at next election". BBC News. 11 February 2022.
  8. ^ "Hywel Williams: Plaid Cymru Arfon MP to stand down at next election". BBC News. 11 November 2022. Retrieved 11 November 2022.
  9. ^ "David Jones: Former Welsh secretary to retire at next election". BBC News. 20 September 2023.
  10. ^ "Christina Rees readmitted to Labour after apology over bullying claims". The Guardian. 1 February 2024. Rees... announced she would not stand again at the next election...
  11. ^ @KevinBrennanMP (27 May 2024). "I'm announcing my decision to stand down as Cardiff West MP after 23 years - thank you to local Labour members and constituents for your friendship and support" (Tweet). Retrieved 28 May 2024 – via Twitter.
  12. ^ "Geraint Davies says he is 'unable' to stand for Labour because of suspension". Express & Star. 28 May 2024. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  13. ^ "MP cautioned for assaulting his wife confirms he wont be standing for re-election/". Nation.Cymru. 28 May 2024. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  14. ^ "Conservative MP seeking new seat for next election". BBC News. 22 October 2023. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
  15. ^ "Welsh Labour: Frontbench MP beats left-winger in seat battle". BBC News. 7 June 2023. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
  16. ^ "Democracy Club Candidates". Democracy Club Candidates. Democracy Club.
  17. ^ In electoral pact with the Labour Party, all candidates are also standing for the Labour Party
  18. ^ "Results of the 2024 General Election in Wales". BBC News.
  19. ^ "Wales election results 2024 | Constituency map". BBC News. Archived from the original on 5 July 2024. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  20. ^ "Vaughan Gething confirmed as Wales' new first minister". BBC News. 19 March 2024. Archived from the original on 20 March 2024. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  21. ^ "Plaid Cymru: What we know about new leader Rhun ap Iorwerth". 16 June 2023. Archived from the original on 20 November 2023. Retrieved 20 November 2023 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  22. ^ "Wales Local Elections 2022". BBC News. 6 May 2022. Archived from the original on 8 May 2022. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  23. ^ "Welsh Parliament election 2021". BBC News. Archived from the original on 9 October 2021. Retrieved 15 May 2021.
  24. ^ "Andrew RT Davies returns as Welsh Conservatives leader". BBC News. 24 January 2021. Archived from the original on 22 May 2021. Retrieved 15 May 2021.
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