Have Your Say: Election results

There are a few changes to the political map of Wales after the election, including the re-emergence of the Conservatives, with three new MPs.

The Liberal Democrats took Cardiff Central from Labour and gained Ceredigion from Plaid Cymru, which failed to win back the target seat of Ynys Mon.

Labour still remains by the far the largest party, but with five fewer MPs and it lost its safest seat in Wales, Blaenau Gwent, to independent Peter Law.

We asked for your thoughts on the results. Below is a cross-section of your views:

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Well done Peter Law and the voters in Blaenau Gwent.At least his supporters can see that Thatcherism has not gone away, it is merely under caretaker management in the shape of T Blair. Time to sack the manager
David Morgan,

The Conservative win in Monmouthshire is no surprise. They could have taken the seat in 2001 had they fielded a more attractive candidate then. I feel sorry for Huw Edwards (Lab) but David Davies has consistently highlighted the top issue in Monmouthshire, the 85% rise in council tax, due to the way the Welsh Assembly has diverted funds from this area to others in Wales. If the assembly regards us as an Anglo-Welsh cash cow, we'll vote like one.
Keith, Monmouth, Wales

Plaid Cymru faced a near impossible task with the giant media machines that are the London-based (and London-biased) parties uniting against them. In this light, Plaid can take a lot of encouragement from the result. Labour, Conservative and the Lib Dems are just different brands of Tories; it is clear that only Plaid Cymru put the interests of Wales at the top of their agenda.
Neil, Carnoustie, Scotland

The Lib Dems are now the official opposition to labour in Wales and Scotland, hopefully it won't be long before the electorate see this good sense in England and follow suit! A fantastic night though, there was something for everyone in that election to smile about(except P.C.), 3 party politics has finally arrived and Britain's democracy is much healthier for it.
Oll Lewis, Dinas Powys, Glamorgan

If the Lib Dems are the second biggest parliamentary party in Wales then God help us! Their campaign tactics and in particular their "decapitation" policies are obscene.
Lawrie , Llandrinod Wells

Michael Howard should not have announced that he will not lead the Conservatives into the next election at this time. The party should have had a clear period before the leadership battle commences. All the same, good luck, Michael and thanks for your hard work and for giving the party back its self respect.
Ann Walby, Pontyclun Mid Glam

A depressing result in Blaenau Gwent - there is nothing wrong in challenging the negative discrimination that has bedevilled our country since time began. Where are the protests about the unofficial all-white rich men shortlists that have traditionally covered the political landscape?
Matthew, Exeter, UK

Excellent result for Peter Law in Blaenau Gwent. The arrogance of New Labour has at last been challenged successfully by the electorate. In Torfaen, there was no election - no sign of any candidates, just one Labour Party leaflet through the door. Is this meant to encourage us to vote? Disgraceful!!
Alan, Cwmbran, Torfaen

I was surprised at the amount of names I recognised on my ballot paper yesterday - one, and that was Alun Michael. Not enough effort has been made by any of the candidates in my constituency, whereas the Lib Dems and Labour wasted tonnes of paper in Cardiff Central. Pull your finger out, and DESERVE the votes you want. Plaid Cymru were taught a lesson the hard way in Ceredigion, let's hope they learn from it.
Carys, Caerdydd

At least one comment today has made me smile. According to Jill Evans, Plaid Cymru "do not have the same media profile as the other parties." Has she been living in a cave? Plaid Cymru enjoy massive media coverage in Wales, at a level which some might argue is disproportionate to their actual popular support. In taking stock of what has happened perhaps they should consider how their message of 'pure Nationalism' just isn't working with the vast majority of the Welsh electorate. Unfortunately I seriously doubt whether they will risk their heartland vote by attempting to embrace change; consequently they are probably doomed to forever be a minority party in Wales.
Mark, Carmarthen, Wales

Yet another 4 years of misery, War, rising Tax, poor NHS, job cuts and a country that jumps when the USA say - welcome back Labour
Simon, Neath

I feel that Plaid losing a seat is not the end of the world. They are now the only credible party to represent Wales via the Assembly to put pressure on Westminster and the MP's of Wales and I think this will be borne out in the next Assembly elections and expect them to be the ruling party next time around.
Kris, Barry, South Wales

The Ceredigion result was the shock of the night for me. Commiserations to Simon Thomas and Plaid Cymru. He was a great MP for Ceredigion, and extremely active in Westminster. Now it's time to look forward to the Assembly Elections.
Esyllt, London

A very big well done to Mr Peter Law. Outstanding result for an outstanding man. He took the risk and won the seat by a landslide. All Labour can do when it comes to real politics is to sit back and watch how it's done. My hat is off to you Mr Peter Law.
L/cpl S M James RWR, Newport

It's with great disappointment that I learned this morning that Simon Thomas won't be returning to Westminster as MP for Ceredigion. He has done great work over the past 5 years, it's a shame people did not repay him my returning him as our MP.
Enfys, Aberystwyth

I'm not sure how a government can continue on only 36% of the vote when it full well knows under proportional representation more than its whole majority would be Liberal Democrat.
Andrew Whitchurch, Guernsey

The fifth safest Labour seat in the country - NOT any more. This is what comes of years of Labour complacency, I feel very sorry for Maggie Jones but if you don't listen to the people this is what you get.
Linda, Blaenau Gwent

I would like to congratulate Don Touhig on his election victory, he works well as a member of parliament for Islwyn and stands up for local issues, well done from all at Castle Court, Pontywaun, Crosskeys.
Rodney East, Islwyn

How can it be claimed that Plaid Cymru suffered "huge losses" when their share of the vote across Wales actually increased. Ok, they lost Ceredigion by a handful of votes, and failed to retake Ynys Môn in the face of a fierce assault by an ex-Tory independent. If PR had been used in this election, then Plaid would have increased its representation, and the Lib Dems would have been in a far stronger position than they are in.
John, North Wales

Interesting results all round. Labour have been punished over broken promises but not as much as they should have. I suspect the people are giving them a reluctant last chance. The Lib Dems have gained some but they are not a real alternative when people look hard and think... Their local tax proposals would have had a terrible effect on many working families and their policies will come under increasing scrutiny. The Conservatives have made some promising gains but not started to positively attract swing voters in the middle ground. They now have a golden opportunity if they get their act together on this aspect given that they are poised to replace Labour next time. Matt
Matt Wright, Nannerch

I am very disappointed that Plaid Cymru lost one of their seats. Perhaps this was due to complacency on their part and the fact that they concentrated their efforts in Ynys Môn. Letting the Conservatives back into Wales fills me with horror, but I was glad to see Peter Law giving Labour a slap in the face in Blaenau Gwent.
Ffion, Cardiff

When I read peoples views they all seem to have short memories and have forgotten 17 years of Tory mismanagement. Yes Labour have got things wrong but the fundamentals are right, people will only see that when we have to suffer another Tory Govt! As for the war issue let it go and move on!
Dave, Devon

I am keen for more women in Parliament - but not at the expense of popular local candidates like Peter Law who has been a brilliant AM for Blaenau Gwent. Well done Peter for showing that people power can beat Tony Blair!!!
Maggie Abbett, Swansea

So Peter Law was on a crusade against imposition of all women shortlists. I did not see him or the people of Blaenau Gwent campaigning against the all male shortlist that twinning of seats gave them for the Assembly elections. Pure hypocrisy
Bill King, Cwmbran Wales

Good to see Plaid Cymru slipping even further behind. The people of Wales deserve better than the dinosaur policies and attitudes of this backward looking outfit.
Peter Robinson, Anglesey

I am still a student and attend 6th form. Labour has not really done anything for me and I lack interest in the whole thing like many young people in my area. But! Labour has done wonders for my grandparents; labour really did mean it when they said they would help pensioners.
Katie, Swansea, south Wales