Politics

Welsh Lib Dems promise childcare boost, social care reform in manifesto launch

Published

4 weeks ago

April 15, 2026

Jane Dodds says party will focus on NHS pressures, child poverty and keeping Wales out of independence debate

JANE DODDS launched the Welsh Liberal Democrats’ 2026 Senedd manifesto on Tuesday (Apr 14), unveiling a platform built around childcare, social care, health reform, economic growth and opposition to Welsh independence.

The manifesto, titled A Stronger Wales in a Stronger UK, argues that Wales is at a political crossroads, with the party seeking to present itself as a practical alternative focused on public services and living standards rather than what it describes as constitutional distraction and political anger.

In her launch speech, Dodds said many people across Wales now feel furious, ignored and increasingly doubtful that meaningful change is even possible. She warned that nationalism grows when hope fades, and argued that political debate must return to fixing everyday problems rather than simply finding new people to blame.

A major centrepiece of the manifesto is childcare. The Welsh Lib Dems say they would offer free, high-quality childcare for children from nine months old, providing 30 hours a week for 48 weeks a year. The party says the move would improve children’s life chances, help parents return to work and make a serious impact on child poverty.

Dodds also used the launch to push her long-standing focus on early years support, pointing to the first thousand days of a child’s life as crucial in shaping future outcomes. The manifesto builds on that message with a wider pledge to give every child what it describes as a fair start.

The party is also proposing a School Leavers’ Guarantee aimed at preventing young people from drifting after leaving education. Under the plan, every school leaver would receive an offer within three months of further or higher education, a paid apprenticeship, a job with recognised training, or tailored support into work.

On universities, the Welsh Lib Dems say they would protect what they describe as the most generous student finance system in the UK. They are also promising continued support for Taith and backing for renewed access to Erasmus-style international opportunities, arguing that Welsh students should be able to study, volunteer and work abroad.

Health and social care form another major strand of the manifesto. The party says it would invest in up to 5,000 new or refurbished nursing-care placements to help reduce delayed hospital discharges and relieve pressure on the NHS. It also promises action to improve access to GPs, dentists and cancer treatment, alongside a broader workforce strategy for health and care staff.

Dodds placed particular emphasis on social care during her speech, drawing on her own experience of caring for parents with dementia and Alzheimer’s. She said the care system had been fragmented and overstretched for years, and argued that its failure now reaches far beyond individual families, contributing to hospital bed shortages, ambulance delays and growing pressure on council budgets.

The manifesto includes a proposal to support the creation of a Royal College of Care Workers, aimed at improving professional recognition, career progression and standards within the sector. It also commits to giving families faster support when relatives are discharged from hospital and to strengthening support for unpaid carers.

In one of its more eye-catching pledges, the party says it would consider raising the Welsh rate of income tax by 1p in the pound for an emergency period if funding reform does not come from Westminster and if the money is needed to protect social care. Dodds said the public should be dealt with honestly about the cost of repairing essential services.

Economically, the Welsh Lib Dems are pitching a Welsh Industrial Strategy designed to build on sectors where Wales already has strengths, including high-value manufacturing, creative industries, financial technology and cyber. The party says this would be paired with procurement changes aimed at ensuring more public money supports Welsh firms, jobs and supply chains.

The manifesto also includes support for small and medium-sized businesses, investment in apprenticeships and technical skills, and a £400 million town centres fund intended to help revive struggling high streets. Business rates relief for retail, leisure and hospitality would also be extended under the plans.

On the cost of living, the party says it wants to make homes warmer and cheaper to run through a ten-year programme of insulation and energy-efficiency upgrades. It is also calling for the UK Government to explore zonal electricity pricing, including the possibility of a separate Welsh zone, so that households and businesses in energy-producing parts of Wales could benefit from lower bills.

The manifesto also contains strong environmental pledges, including action on sewage discharges, protections for rivers and seas, and support for renewable energy such as floating offshore wind, hydro and tidal power. In housing, it promises 30,000 social homes and measures to tackle homelessness and poor-quality housing.

On constitutional matters, the party adopts a firm anti-independence line, saying Welsh Government money should not be used to pursue separation from the rest of the UK. At the same time, it calls for further devolution in areas including rail, policing and justice, as well as a stronger Welsh voice within a federal UK.

Dodds used the closing section of her speech to argue that the election would not simply be about which party came first, but about who holds influence in what is expected to be a fragmented Senedd. She said the Welsh Liberal Democrats intended to use any balance-of-power role to push for practical reforms in health, childcare, education and the economy.

With the Senedd election set for Thursday, May 7, the manifesto launch marks the party’s attempt to present itself as a voice for voters who are frustrated with the state of public services but wary of both Welsh nationalism and the rise of Reform UK.

News

Paul Davies confirms bid to become next Senedd Llywydd

Published

6 hours ago

May 10, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Senior Conservative MS says he has the experience and procedural knowledge needed for the role

PAUL DAVIES has confirmed that he will put his name forward to become the next Llywydd of the Senedd following growing speculation after the Welsh election.

The former leader of the Welsh Conservatives and long-serving Member of the Senedd said he had decided to stand after discussions with colleagues and encouragement from others.

In a statement issued on Sunday (May 10), Davies said he believed he had the experience needed to champion the Welsh Parliament and oversee proceedings fairly.

He said: “There has been much speculation since the election about who will take on the role of the next Llywydd in the Senedd.

“I want make it clear that, after consultation with colleagues and having been urged to do so by others, I will be putting my name forward to be the next Presiding Officer.

“I have the experience to champion the Welsh Parliament and have a clear understanding of its Standing Orders and procedures.

“As the Temporary Presiding Officer in the previous Senedd, and as a former Committee Chair and Business Manager in the Welsh Parliament, I have the necessary skills to take on this important role.”

The role of Llywydd is one of the most senior positions in the Senedd, with responsibility for chairing debates, maintaining order in the chamber and ensuring parliamentary rules are followed.

Davies, who represents Ceredigion Penfro, has been a prominent figure in Welsh politics for many years and previously served as leader of the Welsh Conservatives.

Sam Kurtz disappointment

Davies’ announcement also comes against the backdrop of disappointment within Welsh Conservative circles after Sam Kurtz failed to win a seat.

Kurtz, the former Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire MS, had been placed second on the Conservative list in Ceredigion Penfro behind Davies.

That decision was controversial locally, with many party supporters believing Kurtz had built a stronger personal following in Pembrokeshire and was one of the party’s most visible and energetic campaigners in west Wales.

His failure to return to the Senedd is likely to be seen as one of the most significant Conservative casualties of the new electoral system, particularly given his profile in rural affairs, farming, tourism and local campaigning.

There is already speculation about Kurtz’s next move, including rumours that he could seek to stand for Parliament in the future.

However, speaking to The Herald at the declaration, Kurtz was tight-lipped about his plans and even suggested he may return to journalism.

Before entering politics, Kurtz worked in local journalism, including at The Pembrokeshire Herald and the Western Telegraph.

Davies said he was saddened that Kurtz had not been returned, describing him as a hard-working colleague who had given strong service to Pembrokeshire and west Wales.

The announcement comes as parties continue discussions following the historic 2026 Senedd election, which resulted in no overall majority and a dramatically reshaped Welsh political landscape.

News

Rhun prepares for clash with Starmer as Plaid eyes power in Cardiff Bay

Published

7 hours ago

May 10, 2026

Tom Sinclair

PLAID CYMRU leader Rhun ap Iorwerth has signalled he is ready for confrontation with Prime Minister Keir Starmer after the biggest political earthquake in Welsh devolution history.

Following Plaid’s dramatic Senedd election victory, which saw the party emerge as the largest force in the Welsh Parliament for the first time, ap Iorwerth has made it clear he intends to push aggressively for more powers and funding for Wales — including reopening rows over HS2 funding, policing, justice, and control of natural resources.

Speaking during a series of high-profile interviews on Sunday, the likely next First Minister said the UK Labour government now faced a choice: work with Wales or risk being seen as punishing Welsh voters for rejecting Labour dominance.

The comments are likely to raise tensions between Cardiff Bay and Westminster just days after Welsh Labour suffered a historic collapse at the polls.

Plaid plans minority government

Plaid Cymru won 43 seats in the expanded 96-member Senedd, leaving the party short of an outright majority but comfortably ahead of rivals.

With support expected from the two Green MSs, and the Liberal Democrats indicating they will abstain rather than oppose him, ap Iorwerth now appears on course to become Wales’ next First Minister as early as Tuesday.

The result marks the end of more than a century of Labour electoral dominance in Wales and the first time Labour has failed to emerge as the largest party since devolution began in 1999.

Ap Iorwerth has insisted he wants Plaid to govern alone rather than form a coalition, although he acknowledged cross-party cooperation would be necessary.

Fresh pressure over HS2 and funding

One of the clearest signals from the Plaid leader was his intention to revive demands over the HS2 rail project.

Welsh politicians have long argued Wales was unfairly denied billions of pounds in consequential funding after HS2 was classified as an England-and-Wales project despite no track entering Wales.

Ap Iorwerth suggested a future “Wales Bill” at Westminster could include demands on fairer funding, policing and criminal justice powers, and greater Welsh control over natural resources.

The remarks are likely to concern Labour strategists in London already facing growing pressure after heavy losses in Wales.

Labour admits “catastrophic defeat”

Interim Welsh Labour leader Ken Skates described the election result as a “catastrophic defeat” and confirmed the party would carry out what he called a “forensic” review into what went wrong.

Skates is also expected to enter the race to become permanent Welsh Labour leader following the shock loss of former First Minister Eluned Morgan, who lost her own seat during the election.

Meanwhile, Reform UK, which surged to 34 seats, said it intended to become an aggressive opposition force inside the Senedd.

Tensions with Reform

Ap Iorwerth also appeared to take a swipe at Reform leader Dan Thomas after claiming he had been unable to arrange a courtesy call following the election.

Reform denied the allegation, insisting contact details had been provided and that Plaid had been told to communicate through Thomas’s staff.

Despite the row, Reform MS Llŷr Powell suggested the party would not simply oppose everything brought forward by Plaid, saying Reform would judge proposals individually and focus heavily on government spending and scrutiny.

“A new era” for Wales

The weekend celebrations outside the Senedd increasingly resembled the atmosphere of a government-in-waiting, with Plaid supporters openly speaking of a “new era” in Welsh politics.

For the first time since the Senedd was created, Wales now faces the prospect of a nationalist-led government prepared to challenge Westminster far more openly than previous Labour administrations.

Whether that leads to meaningful constitutional change, or confrontation with London, could define the next chapter of Welsh politics.

Climate

Pembrokeshire council to hear anti-net zero petition

Published

20 hours ago

May 10, 2026

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A PETITION call to Pembrokeshire councillors, which raises concerns at the “hefty funds” needed to support its commitment to net zero, will be heard at full council next week.

Last July, councillors agreed to set up a group to review its own decision to declare a climate emergency some seven years ago.

In May 2019, the council declared a climate emergency following a notice of motion by Cllr Joshua Beynon calling on the authority to back the global consensus that climate change poses a risk to the well-being of future generations.

He had urged county councillors to back a motion to take “bold, decisive action” to fight “truly, catastrophic” climate change, with the council to committing to becoming a zero-carbon local authority by 2030.

At the July 2025 meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council, a successful notice of motion by the late Cllr Mike Stoddart called for the establishment of a working group to review that decision.

That led to a recent petition, by Lynda Duffill of West Wales Climate Coalition, which attracted 725 signatures, calling on the council to reaffirm its Declaration of a Climate Emergency, and retain the ambition to deliver Net Zero Council operations by 2030.

That petition was considered at the October 2025 meeting of full council; members agreeing the working group be asked to ensure the petition is included as evidence in its consideration of the matters referred to it by the council resolution in July 2025.

That has now led to a further petition, concerned at a potential increase in council tax from a re-affirmation of a Declaration of a Climate Emergency.

The latest e-petition, on the council’s own website, created by Carolyn Ellis, read: “We call upon all elected members of Pembrokeshire County Council to support and to take seriously the working group tasked with the review of the ‘climate emergency’ called in 2019 (by the-then 21-year-old councillor Joshua Beynon) and to question the hefty funds needed to spend on ‘net zero’.

“We refer to the recent petition by the West Wales Climate Coalition which purports to speak for the residents and council tax-payers of Pembrokeshire.

“There is potentially a far higher number of residents who do not share this unsubstantiated view and who are extremely concerned about the potential for huge hikes in council tax, especially if this tax is linked in future to the carbon efficiency of homes and businesses.

“This was hinted at as a possible lever for encouraging ‘compliance’ with decarbonising homes in the ‘Better Homes, Better Wales, Better World’ report. Therefore, not only could we be faced with more taxes, but also inevitable deterioration in service provision by PCC.”

The current petition ran to March 26 and attracted 753 signatures; any petition of over 500 triggers a debate at full council, the petition due to be heard at the May 14 meeting.