Incumbent Labour member – suggests Labour not seeking regional list votes

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have today praised John Griffiths for his open approach to the Welsh elections.

A letter from John Griffiths who is seeking re-election in Newport East has urged people to vote Labour in the constituency, whilst noting that voters have a second vote for the region. In the letter, the incumbent MS suggested this could be used for “whichever party they support”. This is the closest Labour have come since the Senedd was created, in admitting that they are highly unlikely to claim any seats on the regional list – which is allocated based on how many votes are received, but with any constituency seats counting against those votes.

Labour have not won a single regional seat in any of the South Wales regions since the Senedd was created and regularly receives tens of thousands of votes which never elect anyone. It has taken years for a senior Labour figure to admit that voters could split their vote.

Jo Watkins, the lead candidate for the Welsh Liberal Democrats on the South Wales East regional list, said:

“It isn’t easy for a politician to admit that they can’t win in an election – I want to thank John for being honest with the electorate. In this election, as we saw in the recent debates, the choice on the list vote is between the party that would abolish our Senedd, or the Welsh Liberal Democrats who want to invest in mental health, in our towns and in ending our climate emergency. I would encourage all Labour voters across South Wales East to support us on the list vote, to put recovery first.

“At this election under the electoral system, the centrist Welsh Liberal Democrats can win regional seats and are viewed by many as the best chance of stopping the right wing abolitionists.”