LONDON, Oct. 24 (Xinhua) -- Plaid Cymru won the Caerphilly by-election in Wales on Friday, ending Labour's long-standing dominance in the constituency and marking a notable shift in the region's political landscape.

"This historic victory gives huge momentum for Plaid Cymru to deliver positive change in May 2026," the Welsh party said both in English and Welsh on social media platform X, referring to the upcoming Welsh election.

According to local media, Plaid Cymru won 15,960 votes, and its candidate Lindsay Whittle cried when the result was announced.

The Caerphilly seat had been held by Labour since the creation of the Senedd, the Welsh parliament, in 1999, and the Westminster seat for more than a century.

The result came as Labour faced increasing vulnerability on its left flank, following a noticeable shift to the right on issues such as immigration and crime in a bid to counter the growing influence of Reform UK. ■