The announcement of a general election on 4 July by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has prompted Welsh political parties to gear up for campaigning. Labour’s Vaughan Gething has said that people across Wales are calling for a change of government, while Welsh Conservatives leader Andrew RT Davies criticised Labour’s record in Welsh government. Meanwhile, Plaid Cymru has vowed to put Wales first. The election is the first since a major boundary review that will cut the number of MPs in Wales from 40 to 32.
All constituencies will see their boundaries change, except Ynys Môn. Welsh Labour will aim to expand their dominance in Wales, while the Conservatives will defend their wins in traditional Labour areas in the north east and Bridgend. Plaid Cymru will aim not to be squeezed by the larger parties. At the last election, Welsh Labour won 22 seats, still the largest party, while the Conservatives won 14 and Plaid Cymru won four.
The election is expected to feature plenty of Labour campaigning visits to North Wales. The green of Plaid Cymru may become more prominent if they can win their target seats of Ynys Môn and Caerfyrddin. The west Wales seat of Caerfyrddin will have a three-way fight between the Conservatives, Labour, and Plaid Cymru, which could become a four-way competition and present challenges for Plaid Cymru if ex-Plaid MP Jonathan Edwards decides to stand.
The constituencies voters will elect for the 2024 general election will be different from those in 2019, with the number of seats reduced from 40 to 32. One of the most-watched seats will be Vale of Glamorgan, the classic bellwether seat that has previously foretold which party would win the UK election. The areas the UK government is responsible for in Wales include criminal justice and policing, benefits, most taxation, foreign affairs, and the military
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