TIME TO CHANGE WALES

Wales is stuck in a rut under a very tired and very divided Labour in Wales government that’s clearly out of touch, out of ideas and out of time. With a struggling NHS, a stagnant economy, and falling school standards, the legacy of 25 years of Labour in power in Wales is clear – and it’s very clear that Labour in Wales is not working.

While I accept the fact that change can take time, and that it can be cumulative, its clear that successive Labour in Wales governments (even when nudged into activity by coalition partners) and pre devolutionary Secretary of States for Wales have simply tolerated the state of our economy and our public services. 

Yet this Labour in Wales government is refusing to take full responsibility for its record – or advocate that the UK Labour Government on behalf of Wales on things like fair funding, HS2 cash and power over the natural resources. Devolution in England is on the cards but enabling Wales is clearly not on Labour in Wales or Labour in Westminster’s agenda. 

Plaid Cymru is the only party truly championing Wales and advocating for its best interests, Under Rhun ap Iorwerth’s leadership, only Plaid Cymru offers any real ambition, any vision and the energy to turn things around, rebuild our services, and create a fairer Wales for everyone. It is time for fresh leadership, a new government with Plaid Cymru and some real and necessary change.

NO IDEAS, NO PLAN, NO CHANGE

Despite spending her first six weeks as First Minister prioritising a ‘listening exercise’, no objectives have been identified, no evaluation process will be undertaken and no data will be collected as a result of Eluned Morgan’s plans – Plaid Cymru can reveal.

 

In their absence, Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth called the ‘listening exercise’ “little more than a PR stunt” after months of Labour infighting.

 

Rhun ap Iorwerth asked the First Minister to outline the objectives, process of evaluating and method of data gathering in a Written Question.

 

In response, the First Minister referred Mr ap Iorwerth to previous generic answers she gave to questions associated with the matter.

 

Rhun ap Iorwerth MS said:

 

“Much like many Labour Welsh government ambitions, the First Minister’s ‘listening exercise’ has no measurable outcomes or evaluation process.

 

“It has proved to be little more than a PR stunt to try and curry favour with the public after months of Labour infighting. What was really required this summer was a government getting to work to address the significant challenges facing our economy and public services.

 

“Eluned Morgan’s summer of silence has amounted to just appointing a stop-gap government with seemingly caretaker Ministers – holding the fort rather than putting a plan of action in place.

 

“Politicians should always be in listening mode, but after 25 years of running the Welsh government Labour Ministers should be in no doubt about the priorities of  the people of Wales.

 

“Record high NHS waiting lists, a stagnant economy and an underperforming education system is the legacy of successive Labour First Minister.

 

“Following the General Election, Plaid Cymru has spent this summer as we mean to go – holding the Labour governments in Wales and Westminster to account, and putting forward a positive case for change at the Senedd Election in 2026.”

 

- ENDS -