HOW TO REDEFINE SUCCESS

Plaid Cymru ON Wednesday 6th August 2025 criticised the First Minister’s ‘record of failure’ as she marks one year since becoming First Minister of Wales.

Despite making bringing down NHS waiting lists her government’s priority and previously introduced a target to eliminate two year treatment waits by March 2023, both referral to treatment patient pathways and two year waits have increased consecutively in the last two months.

Child poverty is also expected to increase to 34.4% by 2029 – the highest level in the UK.

Plaid Cymru’s Heledd Fychan said the First Minister has not only failed to improve public services, but has been stubborn to new ideas to tackle the challenges facing Wales and has failed to stand up to the UK Labour government over policies which disproportionately impact Wales.

Ms Fychan said that today’s anniversary makes it clear that “only Plaid Cymru can deliver the new leadership Wales needs.”

Plaid Cymru Member of the Senedd, Heledd Fychan MS said:

“Eluned Morgan’s first year as First Minister is encapsulated by a record of failure: from missing her own target to eliminate two year NHS treatment waits, to faltering educational outcomes and rising levels of poverty in our communities. This is not how things should be.

“And yet, the First Minister has been stubborn to new ideas – such as Plaid Cymru’s calls to introduce a child payment proven instrumental in tackling child poverty levels in Scotland. It’s clear that this Labour government is out of ideas, out of time and Wales will only see change when Labour’s First Minister is out of office.

“Not only has she failed to deliver better public services, but she has failed to stand up to Starmer every time: on HS2, disability benefit cuts, winter fuel payments, the Crown Estate – I could go on.

“Today’s anniversary makes it clear that Wales needs a new government with fresh ideas and ambition to put Wales first, always. That’s what a Plaid Cymru government offers under Rhun ap Iorwerth's leadership – to fix the NHS, revive the economy, give our children the best start in life, and demand fairness from Westminster. Only Plaid Cymru can deliver the new leadership Wales needs.”

- ENDS - 

A BUDGET REFLECTING FAILURE

“Wales should not have to settle for less” – Heledd Fychan MS    

Ahead of today’s (Tuesday 4th February 2025) vote on Draft Budget 2025-26, Plaid Cymru’s Heledd Fychan MS has criticised Labour for failing to deliver on their promise of meaningful change for Wales.

The Labour Welsh Government originally set out its Draft Budget in December 2024.

Despite promising a ‘partnership in power’ between both Labour Governments in Westminster and Cardiff, Labour have failed to stand up for Wales to demand a needs based funding model, powers over the Crown Estate and the billions owed to Wales from HS2.

Plaid Cymru spokesperson for Finance and Culture, Heledd Fychan MS said:

“Labour’s Budget is not one that will address the crisis facing the education or culture sectors, it won’t fix the NHS, and neither will it mean that councils across Wales will be able to properly deliver key public services that our communities rely on.

“While Labour said everything would be rosy once a UK Labour Government was elected, without securing the fair funding that Wales needs, this Draft Budget is yet another sticking plaster that doesn’t offer the meaningful change promised.

“Wales should not have to settle for less. We deserve a fair funding formula to invest in public services. We have the right to full control over our natural resources. And we should absolutely be given the £4bn owed from HS2. Labour’s failure to stand up for Wales and demand all of these from their colleagues in Westminster is reflected in this budget. It’s clear that only Plaid Cymru stands up for our communities.”

- ENDS -

ABOLISH SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WALES

“We expect it from the Tories of course, but Labour too have seemingly turned their back on devolution and the will of the Senedd” says Plaid Cymru

 

Plaid Cymru are today (Wednesday 26 June 2024) laying a motion before the Senedd calling to abolish the role of the Secretary for State for Wales, instead stating that its functions should be transferred to the Welsh Government.

 

The UK Conservative Government have long attacked devolution, using the office of Secretary of State to question the will of the Senedd. Plaid Cymru says this is set to continue under a UK Labour Government, and have called the role outdated.

 

Last week, in an interview with S4C programme Y Byd yn ei Le, the Shadow Secretary of State for Wales, Jo Stevens, dismissed the will of the Senedd and showed a contemptuous attitude towards devolution. During the interview, Stevens denied HS2’s existence and thus the £4bn owed to Wales, and ridiculed the devolution of justice and policing to Wales as “fiddling around with structures and systems.”

 

The Senedd has long reached cross-party consensus that Wales should be given billions in consequentials from England’s HS2 project – labelled ‘England and Wales’ despite not an inch of track in Wales.

 

The devolution of justice and policing to Wales is also supported by Plaid Cymru and Labour in Wales, following several independent or cross-party commissions including the Thomas Commission (2019), the Silk Commission (2014) and most recently the Commission for the Constitutional Future of Wales (2024).

 

Plaid Cymru candidate for Dwyfor Meirionnydd, Liz Saville Roberts said:

“On the 25^th anniversary of devolution, the contemptuous and patronising attitude by Westminster parties towards the Senedd is clear as day.

“We expect it from the Tories of course, but Labour too have seemingly turned their back on devolution and the will of the Senedd.

“From denying Wales the billions it’s owed from England’s HS2, to refusing to devolve powers over policing and justice although several Labour commissioned reports have stated it would drastically improve outcomes. Jo Stevens – the incoming Secretary of State for Wales – gave us a preview of how Wales would be treated by a Labour UK Government.

“The office of the Secretary of State for Wales is meant to promote Welsh interests from within the UK Government. It’s instead being increasingly used as a platform to besmirch the Senedd’s distinctive democratic voice – regardless of which party holds office.

“Welsh democracy doesn’t need second guessing. It’s high time that this outdated role which does not effectively serve the interests of the people of Wales is abolished and its functions transferred to the Welsh Government.”

 

Plaid Cymru Senedd Business Manager, Heledd Fychan MS added:

“Last month marked 25 years of devolution in Wales. Yet, how the Secretary of State for Wales and its shadow opposition roles deal with Wales’ devolved parliament shows an entrenched imbalance of power that continues to define the relationship between Westminster and Wales.

“Section 114 of the Government of Wales Act encapsulates this clearly – enabling the Secretary of State for Wales to veto any Senedd legislation. It is a power grab function designed to send Wales a clear message that others will always be able to control our destiny.

“Last week’s interview by Labour’s Jo Stevens reinforced that, referring to devolution as an agreement not a demand.

“Regardless of who gets the keys to 10 Downing Steet, Westminster’s contempt and complacency towards Wales is constant.

“It’s becoming clearer by the day that the only vote for Wales’s voice to be heard and respected on July 4th is a vote for Plaid Cymru.”

- ENDS -

A PATRONISING AND CONTEMPTUOUS ATTITUDE TO WALES

Labour’s Jo Stevens has been accused of demonstrating a “patronising and contemptuous attitude” towards Wales by Plaid Cymru.

 

In an interview with S4C program Byd yn ei Le the Shadow of Secretary of State for Wales says she has “full confidence” in the troubled Wales First Minister Vaughan Gething, says Wales would not get consequential funding from HS2 because the project is “not being built”, and ridicules the devolution of justice and policing to Wales as “fiddling around with structures and systems”.

 

HS2 is currently being built – with the project itself saying it is at “peak construction”.

 

The devolution of justice and policing to Wales is supported by Plaid Cymru and Labour in Wales. It has been supported by several independent or cross-party commissions including the Thomas Commission (2019), the Silk Commission (2014) and most recently the Commission for the Constitutional Future of Wales (2024).

 

Plaid Cymru member of the Senedd Heledd Fychan said,

 

“Not a day goes by without it becoming clear that ‘Welsh’ Labour’s HQ is firmly based in London.

 

“On both fact and principle, Shadow Secretary of State for Wales, Jo Stevens is wrong.

 

“Wrong to say that high speed rail in England isn’t being built, and wrong not to support the principle that Wales should get its share of spending on transport projects in England.

 

“In referring to devolution as an agreement not a demand, the would-be Welsh Secretary gave us a preview of how Wales would be treated by a Labour UK government.

 

“Her insistence that devolving justice amounts only to fiddling around with structures and systems laughs in the face of Labour commissioned reports which make the positive case for devolving policing and justice.

 

“The interview displayed nothing short of a patronising and contemptuous attitude towards Wales by Keir Starmer’s top team.

 

“It’s becoming clearer by the day that the only vote for Wales’s voice to be heard and respected on July 4th is a vote for Plaid Cymru.”

 

ENDS

EDITOR’S NOTES

The full interview from Byd yn ei Le by Catrin Jones is available here: https://newyddion.s4c.cymru/article/21955

HS2 is currently being built: https://www.hs2.org.uk/what-is-hs2/hs2-project-update/

Plaid Cymru argue Wales is owed almost £4bn in consequential funding from the project. It is a view shared by all major political parties in Wales. 

In addition to Plaid Cymru, the devolution of justice and policing to Wales is supported by Labour in Wales including senior Welsh Government figures (Jeremy Miles, Jane Hutt, Mick Antoniw), the Justice Commission led by Baron Thomas of Cwmgiedd, the Silk Commission (2014) and the Commission on the Constitutional Future of Wales (2024) chaired by Laura McAllister Dr Rowan Williams.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proposed_Welsh_justice_system

FAIRER, GREENER, AMBITIOUS, AND MORE PROSPEROUS

Plaid Cymru Leader Rhun ap Iorwerth MP has announced his team in the Senedd which will build "a fairer, greener, ambitious and more prosperous Wales". Mr ap Iowerth said that the party's focus in the Senedd would be "firm" on key issues including the health service, housing and living costs.

The Plaid Cymru Leader added that the group would continue to work together with the government through the Collaboration Agreement to fulfill promises to change people's lives for the better such as free school meals and reform of the Senedd, while also holding Labor to account. there are “flaws”.

Delyth Jewell has been appointed Deputy of the Senedd and will deputize for parliamentary matters including Prime Minister's Questions in the Leader's absence. Llyr Gruffydd resumes his role as Chairman of the Senedd Group while Heledd Fychan takes on the role of Business Manager. Mabon ap Gwynfor will take on the role of Chief Whip as well as responsibility for the core Health and Care portfolio.

In announcing the Senedd team, Plaid Cymru Leader Rhun ap Iorwerth MP said,

"I am proud to lead a united, talented and committed team in the Senedd that will build a fairer, greener, ambitious and more prosperous Wales.

"Our focus will be firm and clear as we tackle the issues of the day: the health service, housing, and the economy - focusing on the cost of living crisis and ensuring sustainable public services.

"We will work diligently to achieve for our communities and make a difference to people's lives, working together with the government where there is common ground but at the same time holding them to account where there is a lack of urgency and provision.

"Together, we will continue to argue that Wales' best interests are served by making our own decisions as a nation. By talking to those who are confident about independence as well as those whose interest has not yet been sparked, we will continue to build the case for independence and a brighter future for all.