Why Wales fell out of love with Labour

---

Certainly! Here is a summary and some key points based on the text you provided about the Welsh government’s health budget, political context, and party standings:

—

### NHS and Welsh Government Budget
– The NHS accounts for 55% of the Welsh government’s £27bn budget.
– Cutting waiting times in the NHS is the top priority for First Minister Eluned Morgan.
– Despite additional funding (£50m last autumn and £120m in June), waiting lists remain high.
– Current target: eliminate waiting times over two years by March next year; reduce overall waiting list by 200,000 between April 2025 and March 2026.
– Over 8,000 patients wait more than two years in Wales (versus 168 in England).
– The overall waiting list is nearly 800,000, showing little improvement.

### Political Landscape and Welsh Labour Challenges
– Opposition parties see Labour’s handling of the NHS and leadership controversies as opportunities.
– Vaughan Gething’s brief leadership was marred by donation scandals, causing internal party conflict and a drop in Labour’s poll ratings.
– Cathy Owens (former special adviser) attributes Labour’s decline partly to internal “internecine warfare.”
– Labour’s UK-wide support has dropped below 20%, while Reform UK has risen to around 30%; Welsh Labour impacted similarly.

### “Hanging Baskets” Theory
– The idea that voter support requires visible, immediate positive changes (“hanging baskets”) rather than just long-term promises.
– Labour’s failure to present quick wins results in voter dissatisfaction.

### Relations with UK Labour and Devolution Demands
– Some funding boosts announced by UK Labour (Rachel Reeves), but many Welsh Labour demands remain unmet:
– Reform of the Barnett formula.
– Devolution of the Crown Estate profits.
– Greater borrowing powers for the Welsh government.
– Criticism that Eluned Morgan is not forceful enough when requesting support from UK Labour leadership.

### Plaid Cymru’s Rise
– Plaid Cymru is positioning itself as a credible alternative and increased its standing with a by-election win in Caerphilly.
– Promises include:
– Building more surgical hubs.
– Extra financial support for poorest parents.
– £800 million investment to expand childcare.
– Favorable business rates for small Welsh retailers.
– The party’s ultimate aim is Welsh independence, but it now takes a more cautious message, delaying independence plans until a second term in government.

—

If you want, I can also help by creating a concise briefing, an analysis of the political implications, or extracting more specific data points! Just let me know your preference

Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More

---