LABOUR NOT SERIOUS ABOUT WALES

In response to the Minister for Delivery’s comments on the devolution of rail to Wales where she stated "I'm not sure we're wanting the devolution of it," in a BBC interview this weekend, Plaid Cymru’s transport spokesperson, Peredur Owen-Griffiths MS said:

 

“This is an incredible admission from the Minister for Delivery that Labour in Wales don’t in fact want to see rail devolved to Wales after all.

 

“Westminster never have, and never will treat us fairly - our rail infrastructure has suffered from decades of neglect, and successive UK Governments have failed to deliver the fair funding Wales needs to improve its transport network.

 

“There’d be no u-turns with a Plaid Cymru government on this issue - along with keeping up the fight to demand the HS2 billions we’re owed, we’ll keep making the case that Wales should have full powers over its rail.”

 

- ENDS -

 

Nodiadau i’r Golygydd / Editor’s Notes

 

• Full story and Julie James MS, Minister for Delivery’s comments: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4g46m41kr5o

PLAID CYMRU’S LIST OF CANDIDATES FOR 2026

Plaid Cymru has published its slate of candidates for the 2026 Senedd election for the information of the press.

Plaid Cymru had already confirmed most of its candidates for the election on the 7th of May next year and is the first party to confirm the top candidates in all 16 constituencies.

Plaid Cymru Leader Rhun ap Iorwerth commended the ‘outstanding’ team that was ready to ‘stand up for Wales, deliver real change, and keep Reform out’.

Plaid Cymru Leader Rhun ap Iorwerth said,

“I’m thrilled that we have such an outstanding team of Plaid Cymru candidates, deeply rooted in their communities and ready to work tirelessly to earn the trust and support of people across Wales." 

“The next Senedd election is a historic opportunity. Labour have given up on Wales, and our nation urgently needs new leadership – both in how we are treated within the UK and how our government works for the people of Wales.

“Plaid Cymru offers that new leadership. 

It is our chance to elect, for the first time, a government and a First Minister from a made in Wales party who will stand up relentlessly for Wales, improve our NHS, support families with the cost of living, expand childcare, and help businesses thrive.

“This election is also about Wales’ future. The threat of Reform cannot be ignored. Polls show it is a two-horse race to be the largest party, and only Plaid Cymru can prevent Reform from dragging Wales and Welsh politics backwards.

“This is a team ready to deliver positive change and defend Wales’ interests. We will work tirelessly for every community across the country.”

The full list of candidates is available here. 

Lindsay Whittle elected as Member of the Senedd for Caerphilly

Plaid Cymru have gained Caerphilly from Labour in a major by-election victory – six months before key Senedd elections.

 

Plaid Cymru candidate Lindsay Whittle defeated Reform UK candidate Llyr Powell and Labour’s Richard Tunnicliffe respectively.

 

The victory marks a historic win for Plaid Cymru and a seismic political shift in Wales, signalling the collapse of Labour’s vote and a new two-horse race between Plaid Cymru and Reform UK ahead of the 2026 Senedd election.

Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth said the people of Caerphilly had voted for ‘positive change’ and that the result confirmed that only Plaid Cymru could stop Reform in Wales and that Labour’s time was over.

 

Plaid Cymru Leader Rhun ap Iorwerth said,

 

“Tonight, the people of Caerphilly have spoken loud and clear. They’ve chosen hope over division, and progress over the tired status quo, and backed Plaid Cymru’s positive, pro-Wales vision.

 

“Lindsay Whittle is a tireless local champion who knows every community in this constituency inside out and will deliver real change for the people of Caerphilly.

 

“This result shows that Plaid is no longer just an alternative. We are now the real choice for Wales, the only party able to stop billionaire-backed Reform and offering a better future that works for everyone.

 

“The message from Caerphilly is clear: Wales is ready for new leadership, and Plaid Cymru is leading the way.”

 

Plaid Cymru candidate and Senedd member-elect for Caerphilly Lindsay Whittle said,

 

“I want to thank everyone who put their trust in me and Plaid Cymru to represent Caerphilly. It will be my honour to serve you as your new member of the Senedd.

 

“I’m ready to get to work straight away by making sure our local schools are properly supported, our libraries stay open, our GPs see people when they need to, and that everyone in Caerphilly gets the same chance to do well.

 

“I’ve spent my whole life fighting for this community, and I won’t stop now.

 

“Tonight’s result shows what’s possible when people come together to back practical solutions and protect what matters most. We’ve beaten billionaire-backed Reform, and with the same determination, we can do it again in May 2026. Caerphilly has shown the way - now Wales must follow.”

 

- ENDS - 

PLAID READY TO LEAD GOVERNMENT AND REPLACE LABOUR

Plaid Cymru is ready to “replace” Labour, promising “a new government, with new energy and new ideas”, party leader Rhun ap Iorwerth MS will tell conference delegates in Swansea today. 

Addressing members and supporters at the Plaid Cymru Annual Conference with the party leading the polls ahead of the Senedd Election next May, Rhun ap Iorwerth will encourage people in Wales to “come with us”, claiming that “Together, we can choose a different path – one where we roll up our sleeves to fulfil our potential, not one where we simply settle for what we have.”

In a speech which contains further detail about Plaid’s ambitious Programme for Government and speaking from the main stage on Friday afternoon, Rhun ap Iorwerth MS is expected to say:

“Today, with a historic nation-building opportunity before us, I’m going to set out the choice facing Wales – two very different futures but only one credible option.

“A seismic shift in our politics lies ahead. Change now seems inevitable and of course it’s long overdue.

“So, to the people of Wales I say ‘come with us’

“Together, we can choose a different path – one where we roll up our sleeves to fulfil our potential, not one where we simply settle for what we have.

Rhun ap Iorwerth will set out how Plaid Cymru is ready to lead Wales and replace Labour as the party of government:

“Let’s be clear. We’re not here to act as Labour’s conscience. We are not here to repair Labour. We are here to replace them.

“We promise a new government, with new energy and new ideas to prove what every person who believes in Wales already knows – that things don’t have to be this way.

“Plaid Cymru believes deeply in our potential as a nation.  We say ‘Yes, Wales Can’ - and we want to show you how.

The Plaid Leader will also appeal to those who have never voted for his party before to do so next May in order to “forge new alliances for a brighter future” and to “give our nation the leadership it needs and the respect it deserves:

“So, if you’ve never voted for Plaid Cymru before, the time is now.

“The time is now to stop Reform and elect a government more radical, more ambitious, more impatient to bring about positive change than any which has gone before it. A government of progress and of progressive values.

“A government on the side of families, teachers, nurses, farmers, business-owners.

“Young and old. Urban and rural. North and south. Welsh speaker. Non-Welsh speaker.

“Life-long supporter and first-time voter. The time is now to forge new allegiances for a brighter future.

“With your support, we can give our nation the leadership it needs and the respect it deserves.” 

- ENDS -

 

FAIR FUNDING IS NO BIG ASK

Fair funding for Wales isn’t a big ask, is it? Yet according to Labour in Wales , it seems like it is. Their latest budget doesn’t deliver fairness—it’s just papering over the cracks of 25 years of Labour mismanagement. While our NHS struggles and our economy stalls, yet Labour continues to deny Wales what it’s owed. From a fair funding deal, £4 billion in HS2 funding to control over our own natural resources, we’re left short-changed time and time again.

Labour in Wales’s proposed budget its both underwhelming and unambitious, this budget won’t even touch the sides of the crisis facing our NHS and councils. This doesn’t take into account the impact of Labour’s national insurance contributions on our public services. And more than anything, this is a direct result of 25 years of Labour in Wales mismanagement and an unfair funding deal that leaves Wales seriously shortchanged.

Instead of offering fairness for Wales, Labour in Wales have decided to intimidate opposition parties into backing its budget - which is incredibly disappointing. Giving Labour in Wales a second chance means more of the same. In 2026, we must be more resolute than ever that Plaid Cymru is the real alternative for a new government that will offer a better direction for Wales.

 

The Labour in Wales budget fails to meet the needs of Wales’ struggling public services and continues to deny us a fair funding settlement. Plaid Cymru is the only party fighting for fairness, offering an ambitious alternative with long-term solutions to improve our NHS and grow the economy.

While Labour in Wales are boasting this is a good budget for Wales but the reality on the ground tells a very different story. It’s time for a fresh start with a Plaid Cymru government. We will put Wales’ needs first and deliver ambitious, long-term solutions to fix our NHS and grow our economy. 

IT DOES NOT HAVE TO BE THIS WAY

Over this weekend, once again communities across Wales which were hit hard by devastating floods following Storm Bert ( resulting in two landslides, damage to homes and businesses, and one known fatality ) now face Storm Darragh. Last week residents were taken by surprise with inadequate warnings and failing flood defences - particularly in the south valleys - but also in and around Newport and Monmouthshire.

While there is not much we can do about the weather, much of the flooding, chaos and the cleanup are not inevitable.  Labour in Wales initiated cuts to flood prevention alongside their refusal to learn lessons from previous storms - a decision that has left our communities vulnerable to (now much more commonplace) extreme weather. 

Plaid Cymru is calling for immediate emergency funding to help those impacted by the flooding alongside long term investment in resilient infrastructure and actual government accountability – not crowd funders. Protecting high risk communities and addressing coal tip safety are also urgently needed. 

After 25 years, Labour has utterly failed Wales and taken people for granted. No fairness from London - from the £4 billion owed in HS2 cash to fair funding to control over our natural resources. And no ambition from Cardiff – just more decline in our NHS, economy, and public services and our nation needs a fresh start. 

Giving Labour in Wales a second chance after the mess they have made is not an option, to put Labour in Wales back into power in May 2026 simply means more of the same. Wales deserves a fresh start with a new Plaid Cymru government.

Only Plaid Cymru will give Wales a fresh start. After 25 years of Labour in power, we have the longest waiting lists on record, falling educational standards and an economy not realising its potential. It’s time for a new Plaid Cymru government, full of ambition and energy, to improve our NHS and schools, create jobs and grow the economy - putting Wales first to build a fairer society for all. Roll on May 2026.