Blaenau Gwent constituency results

Peter Law (Labour) (pictured) 13,884, Steve Bard (Liberal Democrat) 2,148, Rhys Ab Elis (Plaid Cymru ) 1,889, Barrie O'Keefe (Conservative) 1,131, Roger Thomas (UK Independence Party) 719

Majority 11,736, Majority 1999 10,559, (Labour) Swing . . . .4.5% Lib Dem to Lab, Turnout 37%

A DELIGHTED Peter Law regained his seat in the traditional Labour stronghold of Blaenau Gwent with a crushing victory.

He increased his majority by 1,168 from 10,568 votes in 1999 to 11,736. The Liberal Democrats' Stephen Bard was runner-up, beating Plaid Cymru into third place.

A disastrous night for the nationalists throughout Wales was mirrored in Blaenau Gwent - Plaid went from being the constituency's second-placed party in the last elections with 5,501 votes to just 1,889 this time.

Turnout was poor with an 11.39% drop to 37.83% of the electorate bothering to vote.

Mr Law told the Argus the low turnout was not a good reflection on the Assembly. But he added the his victory was a 'phenomenal result and a big message from the people of Blaenau Gwent who approve of what I am doing'.

Mr Bard, in second place, said: 'We are pleased with the result and that we've replaced Plaid Cymru, which is collapsing around south-east Wales, as the second party in Blaenau Gwent.'

Dejected Plaid Cymru candidate Rhys Gwyn Ab Ellis conceded: 'In terms of leadership qualities there may be some lessons that we can fruitfully learn.'