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Rhun ap Iorwerth has characterized the upcoming Welsh Parliament election as a contest between the “culture” embodied by his party, Plaid Cymru, and what he describes as the “ignorance” represented by Reform UK. Addressing delegates at Plaid’s conference held in Newport, he warned that a Welsh government led by Nigel Farage’s Reform party would regress Wales by “decades.” Speaking from the International Convention Centre to an enthusiastic audience, ap Iorwerth also declared that Welsh Labour, which has governed for the past 27 years, has exhausted its ideas and influence.
While maintaining a firm stance against Reform and Labour, ap Iorwerth tempered expectations by emphasizing that Plaid Cymru is realistic about what it can achieve if he becomes First Minister. Opinion polls indicate a close race between Plaid Cymru and Reform UK for the leading position ahead of the May 7 Senedd elections. Labour, meanwhile, continues to hold a long-standing grip on power since the establishment of the devolved parliament’s predecessor nearly three decades ago. Despite the Green Party’s recent by-election win in Greater Manchester, ap Iorwerth expressed confidence that it would not split the progressive vote in Wales, which he believes remains firmly with Plaid as the principal alternative to Labour and Reform.
Throughout his speech, ap Iorwerth drew a stark contrast between Plaid Cymru and Reform, stating: “The election in May will be a choice between two contrasting futures. Tolerance or division. Progress or decay. Defiance or deference. Culture or ignorance. Humanity or indifference. Plaid Cymru or Reform.” He criticized Reform for having “zero loyalty to Wales and our nationhood,” pointing out that although they “accept devolution, for now,” they could easily oppose it in the future. Ap Iorwerth also accused Reform of using the Senedd merely as an “electoral springboard,” lacking in “accountability, seriousness, and policies.”
Looking ahead, ap Iorwerth announced that Plaid would soon release their plan outlining priorities for the first 100 days if they form the government. His approach is grounded in pragmatism, focusing on delivering tangible improvements rather than overpromising. He pledged to emphasize “doing the basics better” to enhance everyday life, including providing a “health and care service that works,” an education system aimed at giving students “essential life skills,” and childcare initiatives designed to ease financial strain on families. He also underscored the party’s commitment to be “unequivocally and unapologetically pro-business and pro-prosperity,” with a dedicated minister responsible for coordination and ensuring promises are fulfilled.
Ap Iorwerth clarified that his earlier reference to “ignorance” was directed at Nigel Farage specifically, explaining: “We’ve just had Nigel Farage not even letting his members in Wales choose who their leader will be in Wales. I think people in Wales expect more than that.” Asked about the potential for the Green Party to siphon votes from Plaid, he expressed confidence that voters are sufficiently discerning, asserting, “It is only Plaid Cymru that is in a position where it can be that alternative to Labour and beat Reform.” Since becoming party leader in 2023, ap Iorwerth has shifted Plaid’s focus away from independence as the central issue and towards presenting the party as a practical option ready to govern. The Ynys Môn Member of the Senedd no longer prioritizes a referendum on Welsh independence and is targeting enough seats to form a minority government.
The upcoming election will be governed by a new proportional voting system designed to increase voter choice, departing from the previous system where two-thirds of the seats were decided by first-past-the-post. Under the new arrangements, 96 Members of the Senedd (MSs) will be elected across larger constituencies, each returning six MSs based on proportional results. No party has ever won an outright majority in the Senedd, and the modified electoral structure could make such a majority even more challenging to achieve. Plaid’s ambitions hinge on navigating this environment to secure enough support to govern effectively, even if that requires collaboration with other parties
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