Senedd election result 2021: The winning MS and the vote totals in Carmarthen East and Dinefwr

Plaid Cymru cemented its hang on the Carmarthen East and Dinefwr seat as party leader Adam Price romped to victory.

He won with 14,427 votes in 2021 and eclipsed that this time round, polling 15,261 votes.

Labour's Rob James was runner-up with 8,448 votes, with Welsh Conservative Havard Hughes third with 7,751.

There were five candidates within the running.

The seat has been won by Plaid since 1999, with incumbent and former MP Mr Price serving since 2021 and, before that, Rhodri Glyn Thomas.

In a rousing victory speech, Mr Price said he'd never felt as positive because he did now for the way forward for Wales.

Wales, he said, was on the move and on the march, by conversations he'd had with voters. There was, he said, a rising self-confidence.

But he also reflected on persistent inequality and poverty.

"The answers won't originate from Westminster," said Mr Price.

He claimed there is "corruption, incompetence and elitism" in Westminster.

"We will never be considered a priority on their behalf."

He added: "There's nothing inevitable concerning the problems we face as a nation. We've got to take the future into our very own hands – that was the positive message at the heart in our campaign.

"My message to 16 and 17-year-olds is, don't disheartenment.

"We made progress in this election. Why? Because we made independence the main question."

Before Thursday's election, Carmarthen-born Mr Price said he would concentrate on getting broadband speeds, better use of housing, better transport links by road and rail, and council tax reform.

The candidates in Carmarthen East and Dinefwr

• Adam Price (PC) 15,261 (45.89%, -2.60%)
• Rob James (Lab) 8,448 (25.41%, +6.16%)
• Havard Hughes (C) 7,751 (23.31%, +8.22%)
• Monica French (LD) 975 (2.93%, +0.12%)
• Karl Pollard (Reform) 818 (2.46%)
• PC maj 6,813 (20.49%)
• 4.38% swing PC to Lab
• Electorate 59,016; Turnout 33,253 (56.35%, +2.64%)

The candidates

Monica French – Liberal Democrats

I am married with children. I lived and worked abroad for quite some time before moving to Carmarthenshire some 30 years ago. Community involvement is what drives me. I've been Chair of the school governing body and Chair of Carmarthenshire NHS Trust as well as assisting to save the neighborhood Dryslwyn Post Office and shop.

I have set up and operate a hospitality business and chaired fitness to rehearse panels for the Nursing and MIdwifery Council and am currently a member of the Independent Monitoring Board at HMP Swansea.

In my spare time I enjoy walking within our beautiful countryside , tending my garden and , when time permits, reading and seeking to enhance my Welsh.

What is an essential thing you think the Senedd must do within the next five years?

The most essential thing the Senedd should do would be to put recovery first, and that is what I'll do if elected.

Over half a million individuals Wales are awaiting operations and also the Welsh NHS needs the time to tackle this issue which impacts detrimentally on a lot of people's lives. Wales must also fight the weather emergency having a package of investment for a green agenda to be able to protect our planet, and also at the same time stimulate the economy.

Support businesses both rural and concrete to recover and give investment to the high streets to enable them to thrive. In tandem with this investment, Wales requires a fairer business rate system, as the current product is not fit for purpose.

What will you do for your constituency if elected?

I will fight for improved Broadband within our rural areas. Wales seriously lags behind another nations from the UK. Broadband is a vital service these days, whether for work, entertainment or daily life. In Wales a recent survey discovered that 40% of people usually have issues with their internet so that as many as 1 in 6 experience difficulty with every day tasks for example banking.

I would also press the Senedd to financially offer the Towy Valley cycle path.

Havard Hughes – Conservatives

I am a Carmarthen-based entrepreneur who runs the trade policy consultancy I founded from west Wales. A Welsh speaker, I attended Ysgol Abergwili and QE Maridunum Comprehensive – before going on to graduate with a degree in Law from Cambridge University. I accept my wife Genevieve on our smallholding just north of Carmarthen.

I previously contested the seat in the 2021 General Election, gaining 14,130 votes, just 297 votes behind the incumbent Plaid Leader's 2021 Senedd result.

What is an essential thing you believe the Senedd must do within the next five years?

Build the Welsh economy by improving our transport and internet links, investing in place the conditions for thriving 21 st century businesses. The united kingdom is going global post-Brexit and Wales needs to make the most of the prospects for free trade across the globe.

What will you do for your constituency if elected?

My priorities for that campaign are:

• Ensuring our hospital at Glangwili is protected from Welsh Labour's axe
• Getting our rail and road links upgraded
• Connecting Carmarthenshire's broadband to homes and businesses

Rob James – Labour

I was brought up in social housing in Neath and today reside in Carmarthenshire with Sophie and our two young kids.

I graduated from Swansea University, alongside working in residential and domiciliary care supporting adults with brain injury, learning difficulties and mental health issues. It had been my work in the care sector that encouraged me to obtain involved in politics. Determined to play my part, I self-funded my further studies into an MA in Politics whilst working, to gain a greater understanding of how politics can result in real and lasting change for individuals within their day-to-day lives.

I was elected first as a County Councillor in Neath this year, and I'm the youngest Labour leader in Wales, becoming opposition leader on Carmarthenshire Council.

What is an essential thing you think the Senedd must do in the next 5 years?

We require a proven Welsh Labour Government to determine us through this awful coronavirus pandemic, after which to rebuild a greater, fairer, greener and more prosperous Wales.

As we emerge from this crisis, we should build back better, by securing a Green Deal for Wales – securing high quality sustainable jobs within the new industries of the future; encouraging start up business start-ups, delivering well paid, quality jobs close to home.

We must deliver enhanced, neat and affordable bus services for the region; environmental improvements to the town centres; and fast, reliable broadband to facilitate home working.

What will you do for your constituency if elected?

Plaid has held this seat in the Senedd in excess of 20 years – and has hardly any to show for this. Adam Price has had plenty of time to deliver for residents, but has failed to achieve this.

I will work with Welsh Labour colleagues to provide significant investment for that constituency. I'll ensure the Llandeilo bypass and town centre improvements are delivered.