Plaid Cymru by-election winner sworn in at Welsh Parliament after historic ousting of Labour

Summary

By-election winner Lindsay Whittle has been sworn in at the Welsh Parliament, meaning Plaid Cymru now officially represents Caerphilly
He earlier said he would "work like a Trojan" after ousting Labour from the seat for the first time in a century
Plaid leader Rhun ap Iorwerth says the victory is "a reset for Welsh politics" - here's the wider political reaction
Welsh First Minister Eluned Morgan admits this was a "bad result for Labour" - but says she will not resign
Reform candidate Llyr Powell - who came second - says he's confident his party will win enough seats at next year's Welsh election
The prospect for Labour of heavy defeat across the country in May looks more likely than ever, writes our political editor
Meanwhile, we've been hearing from voters in Caerphilly, who say it is "time for Wales to stand up for itself" and "Labour have been complacent"

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Lindsay Whittle sworn in at Welsh Parliament after historic Caerphilly by-election win

Live Reporting

Edited by Carys Betteley and Matt Spivey

Could this be a historic by-election?published at 21:50 BST 23 October
Gareth Lewis
BBC Wales political editor

Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
Caerphilly has traditionally been a Labour stronghold
This is a Labour stronghold - the party has won every election here, in Westminster and the Senedd, for more than 100 years.
But right from the beginning of this by-election campaign sources within Labour have been realistic about their chances.
First Minister Eluned Morgan told the recent Labour conference that the party faces a "hell of a fight" to hold on to power in next year’s Senedd election.
The party has been in power for 26 years in Cardiff Bay and there are question marks over its record on the NHS and education - spending priorities on things like the 20mph law and an expanded Senedd.
Last year the Welsh party almost tore itself apart with the row over donations to former first minister Vaughan Gething’s leadership campaign and his eventual resignation.
Despite only being back in power for 15 months at Westminster, polls also suggest that the UK Labour government and Sir Keir Starmer are unpopular.
Morgan did not use the phrase “hell of a fight” lightly, and she will also be aware that after 26 years some voters might simply want a change.
Read more here
Good evening and welcomepublished at 21:45 BST 23 October

Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
The winner of tonight's vote will be Caerphilly's MS until May 2026
We're now just a few hours away from finding out who will be the Caerphilly Member of the Senedd (MS) for the next six months.
The vote was called after the sudden death of Labour MS Hefin David in August.
The winner will fill the vacancy until May 2026, when another election will decide the make-up of the newly-expanded Welsh Parliament.
You can also watch live by clicking play at the top of the page when the count starts at 22:00 BST, as well as on iPlayer and on BBC Sounds.