Plaid Cymru launches manifesto to unlock Wales’ economic potential and deliver a ‘fairer, more ambitious future’

Plaid Cymru has launched its manifesto for the Senedd election, setting out a bold plan to unlock Wales’s economic potential and build a more prosperous, confident nation.

Alongside its immediate priorities, the party has set out a wider programme for economic renewal, including:

·       Creating well-paid jobs with a new plan to support Welsh businesses, reviving town centres by reforming business rates, use public procurement to invest in the future, and make sure skills and training match real jobs.

 

·       Supporting families with the cost of living with £30,000-worth of free childcare for children aged 9 months to 4 years, with parents being able to get into work and giving every child the best start in life.

·       Raising literacy and numeracy standards in schools by introducing a new Literacy and Numeracy Plan, supporting teachers, and giving every primary school a library by 2030, giving young people the skills they need to succeed.

 

·       Standing up for Wales to get a fair deal from Westminster to invest in infrastructure – including fair funding and further powers

 

·       The devolution of the Crown Estate to keep profits in Wales and invest in the long term through a new Wales Wealth Fund supporting community energy and community ownership, affordable and energy-efficient housing, and essential national infrastructure

Speaking after the manifesto launch, Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth said:

“The election on 7 May will be the most important since the dawn of devolution.

“It is an election which offers real hope for the future of Wales. That hope is represented by Plaid Cymru - tangible action from day one to tackle the immediate challenges facing our country, a longer-term vision for renewal, and a promise to always stand up for Wales.

“That opportunity for change stands in stark contrast to Labour’s record of managed decline, and their refusal to make a stand for the interests of our nation against Westminster’s indifference.

“And it is the key to stopping the threat of Reform, who offer no real solutions to the challenges we face, dealing instead in empty soundbites and fanning the flames of division.

“I am proud to present this Plaid Cymru manifesto, our plan for a modern, confident Wales – a Wales where all our people and communities can contribute to and share in our nation’s success.

“We will cut NHS waiting times, freeing up time, space and resources to build a sustainable and integrated health and care service for Wales – one that does more to keep people well, rather than just treating illness.

“We’ll support families and give every child the best possible start through a transformational new free childcare offer for all children aged 9 months to 4 yars old.

”We will unlock our untapped economic potential – building on our strengths to create well-paid and secure jobs and spread prosperity to every part of Wales.

“And with a new, bold and determined drive on numeracy and literacy skills, we will raise the bar on standards in our schools, so every child in Wales is set on the path to success.

“Together, and for the first time, we can give our nation the leadership it needs and deserves. 

“Leadership that takes its cue from the people of Wales and nobody else.

“Leadership that believes when we choose hope over division and seriousness over chaos, Wales can - Wales will - prosper.

- ENDS -

Reform £1bn manifesto black hole would destroy Welsh public services

Plaid Cymru has hit out on Reform UK’s uncosted manifesto pledges which would lead to more than a £1billion black hole in Welsh public finances.

Ahead of the Senedd election on May 7, Reform’s Welsh manifesto has come under significant scrutiny for setting out a series of tax cutting measures and public infrastructure spending without an explanation on where the money to fund the spending would come from.

On the day of the party’s manifesto launch on 5 March 2026, Reform UK Ltd’s Leader, Nigel Farage, said there would be an independent verification of the costings, but a month later, that still hasn’t been made available.

Since then, research by Plaid Cymru suggests that the cost of all the manifesto commitments published by Reform would exceed £1billion between tax cuts and spending commitments.

Cutting 1p to the pound for every income tax band in Wales alone would cost £371m in 2026-27, and £390m in 2027/28. Based on evidence supplied by the WLGA following the publication of the draft Budget for 2026-27, limiting council tax rises across Wales to 5% would have required an additional £437m to the Revenue Support Grant (RSG) for local authorities.

Reform also pledge to build an M4 relief road. In 2019, the project cost was estimated to be £1.4bn plus VAT. Adjusted for inflation, this equates to a cost of approximately £2.46bn – around 70% of the entire Welsh Government capital budget for 2026/27. Over a typical 5 year construction period, the project would cost around £492m per annum.

Opinion polls have consistently shown that the Senedd election in May is a two-horse-race to become the largest party, setting out clearly that only Plaid Cymru can stop Reform in Wales.

Luke Fletcher, Plaid Cymru’s Economy spokesperson said:

“Reform’s divisive rhetoric would rip our communities apart. Their hidden-austerity agenda, designed to give their billionaire buddies a tax-cut, would destroy our vital public services.

“The manifesto sums simply don’t add up – it would create a £1bn black hole in Wales’ public finances. It’s fantasy economics with no costings. That’s not a plan, it’s a gamble.

“It’s clear that the ex-Tories of Reform aren’t serious about governing Wales – they’re only interested in creating chaos and division that serves their own purpose. Our communities deserve so much better. Wales needs a government that’s serious about offering solutions following 27 years of Labour mismanagement.

“Plaid Cymru is the only party with an ambitious and deliverable plan to bring down waiting times, raise standards in our schools, introduce our universal childcare offer and give Welsh businesses the support they desperately need.

“As the Senedd election approaches, the polls are clear: only Plaid Cymru can stop Reform from getting their hands on Wales’ public purse and the local services we all depend on.”\

- ENDS - 

FIVE REASONS TO VOTE PLAID

There are just under five weeks until the Senedd Election on Thursday 7th May 2026

There are five 5 reasons to vote Plaid Cymru

A MATTER OF CHOICE

Labour's mismanagement of the NHS has left 1 in 5 people in Wales on a waiting list. 

People living in pain or discomfort.

But Reform don't have the answers when it comes to our NHS! Their boss, Farage, wants to move to an insurance-based system... 

A Plaid Cymru government will create surgical hubs across Wales to get people treated faster and cut waiting lists, easing the pressure on the health service.

Vote Plaid Cymru on Thursday 7th May 2026 to renew our NHS.

CHOOSE HOPE! CHOOSE PLAID

On Thursday 7th May 2026, Wales has a historic opportunity to choose a better future 

A government that finally stands up for Wales in a way that's never been seen before.

This election is a choice between:

• Hope or division.

• Credibility or chaos.

• Plaid Cymru or Reform UK.

We've already shown what's possible in Caerffili. 

Now it's time to do the same across the whole of Wales 

Plaid Cymru has an ambitious and deliverable plan to:

•  Tackle waiting lists and build an NHS that's fit for the future

•  Support families with the cost of living

•  Create good, well-paid jobs in a stronger economy

•  Raise standards in our schools

•  Tackle child poverty

Stand up for Wales - demanding the powers and funding we need to thrive.

Reform offer the opposite - uncosted promises, division, and no real care for Wales.

After 27 years of Labour - Wales is ready for a fresh start.

A government with new leadership, new ideas, and the ambition to unlock our nation's potential.

The choice on Thursday 7th May 2026 is simple.

Choose hope.

Vote Plaid Cymru. 

A STRONGER NHS

After 27 years of Labour's mismanagement of our NHS, it's time for new leadership.

Only Plaid Cymru has the ambition and the ideas to renew our health service.

Vote Plaid Cymru on 7th May 2026.

NO PLAN FOR WALES

Reform UK's plans for Wales = a £1 BILLION black hole in our public services.

That means cuts, chaos and fewer resources for our communities!

Stop Reform. Stand up for Wales. Vote Plaid Cymru on 7th May 2026