Labour has held its seats in the three constituencies which cover Caerphilly County Borough.
Former county borough councillor Gwyn Price won in Islwyn with 57.9% of the vote while Huw Lewis was re-elected in Merthyr with 54.3%.
In Caerphilly, Jeff Cuthbert beat Plaid Cymru’s Ron Davies after a heated campaign. Mr Cuthbert was returned as Caerphilly’s Assembly Member with 49% of the vote.
Earlier in the night Mr Davies, a former Welsh Secretary for Labour, told the BBC that people had wanted to send a message to the Coalition Government in Westminster by voting Labour. He said: “It’s very sad, it undermines the whole point of devolution.”
Council leader Lindsay Whittle won a regional seat for Plaid in South Wales East alongside party colleague Jocelyn Davies. Conservative William Graham and Mohammad Asghar held their seats meaning Liberal Democrat Veronica German was ousted. Mr Asghar had won his regional seat in the last election under Plaid Cymru before defecting to the Tories.
Results
Caerphilly
| Candidate | Party | Votes | % | +/- % |
| Jeff Cuthbert | Labour | 12,521 | 49 | +14.4 |
| Ron Davies | Plaid Cymru | 7,597 | 29.7 | +3.9 |
| Owen Lloyd Meredith | Conservative | 3,368 | 13.2 | +1.9 |
| Kay David | Liberal Democrat | 1,062 | 4.2 | -2 |
| Anthony King | British National Party | 1,022 | 4 | +4 |
| Turnout | 25,570 | 41.5 | ||
| Majority | 4,924 | 19.3 | ||
Islwyn
| Candidate | Party | Votes | % | +/- % |
| Gwyn Price | Labour | 12,116 | 57.9 | +20.2 |
| Steffan Lewis | Plaid Cymru | 4,527 | 21.7 | +0.1 |
| David Chipp | Conservative | 2,497 | 11.9 | +4.3 |
| Peter Whalley | British National Party | 1,115 | 5.3 | +5.3 |
| Tom Sullivan | Liberal Democrat | 653 | 3.1 | -1.7 |
| Turnout | 20,908 | 38.3 | -2656 | |
| Majority | 7,589 | 36.3 | ||
Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney
| Candidate | Party | Votes | % | +/- % |
| Huw Lewis | Labour | 10,483 | 54.3 | +17.2 |
| Tony Rogers | Independent | 3,432 | 17.8 | +17.8 |
| Amy Kitcher | Liberal Democrat | 2,480 | 12.8 | -2.4 |
| Noel Turner | Plaid Cymru | 1,701 | 8.8 | -3.2 |
| Chris O’Brien | Conservative | 1,224 | 6.3 | +0.9 |
| Turnout | 19,320 | 35.3 | -1673 | |
| Majority | 7,051 | 36.5 | ||
Well done Jeff Cuthbert – couldn't have happened to a nicer and more deserving guy. The people of the Caerphilly constituency have placed their faith in you once more and no doubt you'll continue working your socks off for them over the next five years – from Bargoed down to Groeswen, from Machen up to Nelson.
Congratulations also to Lindsay Whittle – political differences aside, he's been a loyal servant of his community for many years and I'm sure he'll be an asset to the Assembly.
It was a great night for Labour. Well done Jeff for a well deserved victory, despite the kerfuffle about the stakes, and the nasty attacks in the media. The voters clearly saw through the fog of deceit and propoganda. A good night!
The right result. Caerphilly now has two good Representatives in the Assembly. Congratulations to them both.
Well done Jeff!! A 5,000 majority speaks volumes. I'm sure you will keep on serving the people of Caerphilly as you have served them over the previous 8 years. The preople of Caerphilly have given a mandate to Labour policies.
Nothing from the Plaid contributers? Hmmm they must have very suddenly found lots of little jobs round the house that needed doing.
i have never seen so few plyed posts on a story
Plaid Cymru are being increasingly seen, locally,as the `Nasty Party`.
I could give chapter and verse examples, but this is not the time to do so, roll on the Caerphilly Council Elections next may.
God help us now that Labour have won….they are hardly likely to put the habits of a century behind them and put Wales first. Thank goodness we have Lindsay Whittle to speak up for us