Rhun ap Iorwerth (Image: PA Images / Alamy)
Last Updated: 1 minute ago
Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth has launched the party’s plan for its first 100 days in government, setting out sweeping proposals on healthcare, education and public services ahead of the Senedd election on 7 May.
The NHS pledge
The 60-page document promises to “bring down waiting lists” and commission an independent review of NHS performance. Plaid would also establish a group to deliver up to 10 surgical hubs across Wales, with a report due by the end of 2026, alongside a new cancer plan and a summit to shift resources towards primary care.
However, ap Iorwerth acknowledged progress would take time, telling the BBC: “I don’t think people were expecting a new government to make a difference to waiting lists in three months.”
He added: “With the greatest of respect I don’t think the public think any government can make differences in that type of timescale.”
He said waiting lists should fall to pre-Covid levels by the end of a four-year term, describing the document as a “road map” that showed how “serious we are about governing”.
Education and families
Plaid said it would bring forward plans to empower local authorities to restrict smartphone use in schools for under-16s, develop a new literacy and numeracy plan, and commission a national school building conditions survey. The party also pledged to expand free childcare to 20 hours for all two-year-olds once existing rollouts are complete.
Transport and more
Among the proposals is an express coach service linking north and south Wales, a push towards net zero by 2040, and plans to unite public services under a “one Welsh public service” model.
Funding realities
Plaid’s finance spokeswoman Heledd Fychan struck a cautious note, telling a fringe event: “There are some things we would love to do but the funding is not there at the moment.”
The party is hoping to win enough seats to form a minority government under a new proportional voting system. No party has ever secured a majority in the Senedd.
SNP solidarity
Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney addressed the conference in Newport, urging the two pro-independence parties to work together. He told delegates: “When Wales and Scotland stand together, we are stronger.”
He added: “Devolution is not the destination. It is part of the journey.”
