The Prime Minister could cost Labour control of the Senedd for the first time in its history, Wales’s First Minister has warned, as the party braces for a potentially historic defeat.
Baroness Morgan of Ely, the Welsh Labour leader, acknowledged that the Prime Minister had become a factor on the campaign trail, warning that discontent with the UK leadership could translate into protest votes at Thursday’s election.
Polling suggests Labour is on course to lose power in Cardiff Bay for the first time since devolution began 27 years ago, in what is shaping up to be a closely fought contest with Plaid Cymru and Reform UK.
Asked whether Sir Keir’s leadership could cost Labour the election, Baroness Morgan told The Telegraph: “I’m certainly hoping that they won’t do that.
“But there is a danger that that could happen, and I don’t want to see that happen.
“I do hope people will reflect on what this election is really about – and it isn’t a time, I think, to pick a fight with Starmer. There’s a General Election, that’s the time to do that.”
Her remarks lay bare growing unease within Labour ranks that national politics could overshadow devolved issues, undermining the party’s long-standing dominance in Wales.
The Senedd contest is widely seen as a two-horse race between Plaid Cymru and Reform UK, both seeking to capitalise on voter frustration after more than two decades of Labour rule.
The election comes at a challenging moment for Sir Keir, who has vowed to “fight for every vote” but conceded that the party faces a difficult contest.
Voters across Wales and Scotland head to the polls this week to elect new members of the Senedd and Holyrood, while more than 5,000 council seats are also being contested in England.
At a campaign rally in south London, the Prime Minister sought to strike an upbeat tone, pointing to Labour’s ground operation and local candidates.
“As you can see, we’ve got a fantastic Labour team working every single day in London and across the country,” he said. “Of course, it’s going to be a challenge, but it is really important we go in fighting for every vote, which has to be earned.”
Opponents have seized on Labour’s vulnerability, with Reform UK leader Nigel Farage launching a scathing attack on the party’s record in Wales.
Speaking in Merthyr Tydfil, he said: “The party that has been able, frankly, to take Wales for granted for over 100 years on Thursday will deservedly get smashed to smithereens by the electorate.”
He added that Wales had become a “basket case” after decades of Labour leadership — a claim strongly rejected by party figures.
The coming vote is now seen as a critical test not only of Labour’s grip on Wales, but also of Sir Keir’s wider electoral appeal, with the risk that disillusioned voters could use the devolved contest to send a message to Westminster.
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