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Labour beaten in Wales for first time since 1918
Monday, 8 June 2009
The Conservatives pushed Labour into a disastrous second place in Wales in the European elections.
It is the first time Labour have failed to top the poll in Wales since the 1918 General Election.
Plaid Cymru came third with the UK Independence Party fourth.
Labour lost one of the two Welsh seats it had in the European Parliament before the election, leaving the four parties with one each.
The Tories said they had "killed the lie that Wales will always be Labour", while Welsh Labour said it had carried the can for the public's anger at MPs expenses.
In a joint statement, Welsh Secretary Peter Hain and First Minister Rhodri Morgan said: "These results are very bad for Labour.
"There is a real anger about politicians' expenses and as we have been the party in power we have caught the brunt of the publics' anger.
"This is a toxic combination when taken with the economic recession.
"Low turnout has further reduced the Labour vote.
"Above all, we have got to listen to the message that the public is so clearly giving us.
"It is vital that Labour remains united and begins rebuilding trust."
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