Plaid Cymru MS ‘overwhelmed’ to receive higher vote share than any candidate in Wales

A Plaid Cymru MS has said she is “overwhelmed” to have received the highest vote share of any candidate at the Senedd election.

Sian Gwenllian, the newly re-elected Plaid Cymru MS for Arfon, has spoken of her joy after she received more votes than the rest of the candidates combined, with 63.3%

Gwenllian, who has represented Arfon in the Senedd since 2016, received 13,760 votes, beating Labour’s Iwan Wyn Jones who came second. She increased her vote by 8.5% and doubled her majority over Labour.

The widowed mother of four who realised her dream of representing her home in the Senedd five years ago, said: “I’m thrilled to receive Arfon’s endorsement to continue as a strong voice for them in the Senedd for another 5 years.

“Receiving Wales’ highest vote share for a candidate, as well as Plaid Cymru’s highest ever number and percentage of votes in Arfon was overwhelming.”

In her acceptance speech, Siân Gwenllian said: “Plaid Cymru has made independence a central part of the political discourse in Wales, and the conversation needs to continue.

“I’m looking forward to playing my part in building a free Wales.”