British Political Shake-up: Labour’s Defeat and Rising Ultra-Right in the UK
The Welsh by-elections held on October 24 became a surprising and significant event in the UK political landscape, where the traditional Labour Party suffered a major loss of support, losing ground to far-right political forces.
The elections took place amidst tensions related to internal economic challenges and the growing popularity of the ultra-right Reform UK party, which strongly criticizes government policies on immigration and economic management.
According to results, Labour MP Nick Thomas-Symonds acknowledged that the outcome was a major disappointment for his team, especially considering the traditional Labour stronghold — the Carfilli constituency.
The Plaid Cymru candidate, who secured 47% of the votes, emerged victorious, while Reform UK gained 36%, and Labour finished third with 11%.
These elections serve as a kind of litmus test ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections scheduled for May.
Observers note that the situation in Wales vividly illustrates the broader trend of dissatisfaction with the current UK government course and the rise of ultra-right voices.
Analyst John Curtis emphasized that although Reform UK achieved second place, this does not necessarily indicate a decline in the popularity of its leader Nigel Farage, urging caution in interpreting these political shifts.
The UK parliamentary elections are not expected before 2029, but the political crisis and the growing influence of ultra-right forces are already reshaping the country’s political landscape, hinting at the possibility of more radical transformations.