Plaid leader pledges no income tax rise if elected FM

Rhun ap Iorwerth has delivered an unequivocal promise to Welsh voters – if he becomes First Minister following May’s Senedd elections, income tax will not rise 💷

The Plaid Cymru leader made the commitment during a BBC interview with Laura Kuenssberg on Sunday, whilst also outlining his party’s vision for Wales and addressing questions on independence.

Taxation stance and funding criticism

The Ynys Mon MS was clear in his position when pressed on tax policy. “We won’t be raising taxes,” he stated, before highlighting what he described as fundamental problems with how Wales is funded.

When Kuenssberg asked him to explicitly confirm he would not raise income tax, Mr ap Iorwerth responded: “Yes I can make that explicit promise. I can tell you why also. I believe in using taxation powers in an effective way, making sure taxation works in a nuanced way where those who can afford to pay more are able to do so.

“We have a very blunt taxation landscape in Wales. What we would certainly like to see is us having the powers in future to vary thresholds, to vary the bands, so we can build a taxation system that works for Wales.”

He criticised the current Welsh Labour government’s approach to securing funding from Westminster, saying: “Labour in government in Wales has pulled its punches continuously on the issue of fair funding for Wales, making sure we’re able to invest in rail for example.

“Plaid Cymru, through having a more transparent relationship with the UK Prime Minister, I think can make gains that Labour have been unable to do.”

Making the case for change

Mr ap Iorwerth argued that Wales needs a new direction, pointing to current public service performance as evidence. “People can judge the performance of public services in Wales – an economy that continues to lag behind, education standards that have continued to fall, standards in healthcare that are way below where we need them to be,” he said.

He outlined Plaid’s proposals including surgical hubs for healthcare, a fresh drive in literacy and numeracy for education, and establishing a new development agency.

“It is time for change – that feels palpable on the ground in Wales – and it’s Plaid Cymru of course that offers that hopeful vision against alternative vision of division. It’s a two-horse race in that respect,” he added.

Independence referendum timeline

On the question of when an independence referendum might take place under a Plaid government, Mr ap Iorwerth said the timing would be led by public readiness rather than a fixed schedule.

“I firmly believe, and always have done, the timeline is essentially set by the people of Wales…. I want to lead them to believe in Wales’ future, to have more confidence in what we can achieve,” he explained.

He continued: “As soon as the people of Wales are ready for it – and I think it’s really really important people look at my eyes and sees somebody who believes in them. I believe in my nation, I believe in the people of Wales. What I want to do is get people to understand the options, what the potential is of our nation, and that’s all the debate on independence is. Things are not as good as they could be in Wales now.”

Rail funding and economic plans

The Plaid leader highlighted the HS2 rail funding issue as an example of unfair treatment. “Because of the way rail funding is set up Wales is effectively subsidising multi-billion-pound rail projects in England whereas we are unable to invest in our own infrastructure,” he said.

He explained Plaid’s economic vision: “Plaid Cymru’s plans about establishing a development agency for Wales is about creating more prosperity in Wales, spreading wealth throughout Wales, creating better jobs, and putting more tax income in. It’s not just about public spending coming in through the Treasury, it’s about maximising our opportunities, and everything that Plaid Cymru does is about building a better chance for Wales to prosper.”

Labour hits back

Welsh Labour dismissed both Plaid Cymru and Reform UK’s election pitches. A spokesman said: “Plaid say they’d do things differently but can’t say what they’d do or how they’d pay for it. Neither Reform UK nor Plaid have a plan for Wales and neither will deliver for the people of Wales.

“Welsh Labour shielded Wales’s public services from the worst of Tory austerity and cuts protecting the things people rely on and will always focus on delivering a fairer future for Wales.”