News

Plaid manifesto launch sparks political clash over Wales’s future

Published

2 months ago

April 9, 2026

Party promises action on childcare, health, education and energy as Labour and the Liberal Democrats question independence and costings

PLAID CYMRU has launched its Senedd election manifesto with a pledge to offer what it calls a new direction for Wales, setting out policies on childcare, the NHS, schools, the economy and energy while also reaffirming its long-term belief in Welsh independence.

The party says its programme is designed to tackle pressures facing families and public services, while giving Wales a more ambitious sense of purpose after years of Labour-led government. Among its main promises are expanded childcare support, action to improve standards in education, measures aimed at strengthening the economy, and a greater focus on energy security and public benefit from renewable developments.

Plaid is presenting the manifesto as both a plan for immediate government and a statement of longer-term national ambition. The party argues that Wales needs practical change now, but also a serious debate about how the country is governed and what powers it should hold in the future.

A central part of Plaid’s pitch is childcare. The party says it wants to widen support for families with younger children, arguing that this would help parents return to work, ease household pressure and improve early years outcomes. It is also promising a stronger focus on schools and living standards, while seeking to position itself as the party of change at a time when many voters are frustrated with the status quo.

On the NHS, Plaid says Wales needs urgent improvement and a fresh approach to delivery. On the economy, it is promising policies intended to support Welsh businesses and keep more wealth within Welsh communities. On energy, the party is seeking to link net zero ambitions with greater control over how renewable power is developed, who benefits from it, and how the returns are shared.

Plaid’s manifesto also makes clear that the party remains committed to independence as its long-term constitutional goal. It says Wales should be able to shape its own future more fully and sets out further steps towards that objective, even though the main emphasis of the launch has been on day-to-day issues affecting voters now.

That stance has brought immediate criticism from Welsh Labour and the Welsh Liberal Democrats.

Welsh Labour accused Plaid of not being straight with voters, arguing that while the party has sometimes tried to place less emphasis on independence during the campaign, the manifesto itself clearly points towards it. Labour also challenged Plaid’s presentation of the election battle and questioned whether some of its headline pledges, especially on childcare, could realistically be funded.

The Welsh Liberal Democrats also attacked Plaid’s constitutional position, saying the party was not being honest about the cost of its push for independence. They argued that public attention and resources should remain firmly focused on strained services such as the NHS and schools.

Laura Doel, national secretary at school leaders’ union NAHT Cymru, said: “It is encouraging to see Plaid Cymru recognising some of the key pressures on schools which hamper their ability to deliver for children and fuel unsustainable workload – what seems to be missing is a clear pledge to increase investment in schools.

“Challenges including support for additional learning needs (ALN) and issues like poverty and mental ill-health which affect children’s ability to attend school, and focus and behave in the classroom, are acknowledged – with welcome promises of ALN reform and better-coordinated support for schools from services like health and social care.

“However, at a time when many schools are struggling with budget deficits and really unpalatable choices between cutting staffing and resources, it is clear that achieving meaningful change will require significant new funding and a commitment to ensure education receives its full share of additional investment under the Barnett Formula.

“Promises like surveying the condition of the school estate, which we know is in a really poor state of disrepair, and auditing disparities in per-pupil funding, are all well and good. But they will need to be followed through with new funding to make a real difference for schools and their pupils.”

Plaid, however, is likely to argue that its critics are trying to reduce a much broader policy platform to a single constitutional question. The party’s message is that its manifesto is not simply about independence, but about using Welsh government more boldly and more effectively to improve everyday life.

The political divide is therefore becoming clear. Plaid wants voters to see its manifesto as a serious programme for change, combining support for families and public services with a wider national vision. Labour and the Liberal Democrats, by contrast, are trying to persuade voters that Plaid’s plans come with unanswered questions over honesty, affordability and priorities.

With the Senedd election approaching, Plaid’s launch has opened one of the first major arguments of the campaign — not only about independence, but about who has the clearest and most convincing plan for Wales.

Business

Plaid energy policy challenged by Labour after Adam Price interview

Published

5 hours ago

May 24, 2026

Tom Sinclair

LABOUR SAYS MINISTERS MUST EXPLAIN COST AND TIMETABLE FOR PYLON PLANS

PLAID CYMRU’S approach to energy infrastructure has come under scrutiny after Energy Minister Adam Price was challenged over plans to reduce the use of overhead pylons in Wales.

Mr Price defended the Welsh Government’s position during an appearance on BBC Radio Wales’ Sunday Supplement, arguing that communities must have greater confidence in how major grid projects are handled.

Plaid Cymru has pledged to give communities a stronger voice over energy developments and to look more closely at alternatives to overhead transmission lines, including underground cabling where possible.

The issue has become increasingly sensitive in rural parts of Wales, where proposed pylon routes linked to renewable energy schemes have raised concerns about landscape impact, tourism and local consultation.

However, Welsh Labour said the minister had failed to explain when any restriction on pylons would take effect, or who would pay the additional cost of placing cables underground.

A Welsh Labour spokesperson said: “Adam Price keeps saying how clear their manifesto was and yet he won’t say when they’re banning pylons. They won’t say who is paying for the extra cost of undergrounding cables.

“Without certainty, companies won’t invest. That’s thousands of clean, green energy jobs at risk. Plaid need more than a plan to have a plan.”

Labour said the Welsh Government must now set out how its policy would work in practice, including whether it amounts to an outright ban, what exemptions would apply, and how any extra costs would be funded.

The debate highlights the challenge facing ministers as Wales seeks to expand renewable energy generation while addressing public opposition to large-scale grid infrastructure.

Community

Pembroke Fair praised as well-organised community event

Published

5 hours ago

May 24, 2026

Tom Sinclair

HORSES, STALLS AND FAMILY CROWDS RETURN TO MONKTON

FAMILIES, horse owners and visitors turned out in force for Pembroke Fair on Saturday (May 23), with many praising the event as one of the best organised in recent years.

Held at the Community Centre Field in Monkton, the annual fair brought together horse owners, traders and local families for a traditional day centred around horses, ponies, stalls and socialising.

Coloured cobs, heavy horses, ponies and horse-drawn traps attracted attention throughout the day, with many visitors gathering around the field to watch the animals being shown and led around the site.

A variety of stalls selling everything from clothing and ornaments to tack and second-hand goods helped create a lively market atmosphere, while food vendors kept visitors fed throughout the day.

Despite overcast conditions at times, the event remained busy, with many attendees staying for several hours to enjoy the traditional fair atmosphere.

Community members later took to social media to praise the smooth running of the event, with several publicly thanking organiser Charlie Price for his efforts in bringing the fair together.

Comments described the day as “well organised” and praised the welcoming atmosphere, with many saying it was encouraging to see a long-standing local tradition continuing to thrive.

The fair once again brought together members of the travelling community, local residents and horse enthusiasts from across west Wales.

A horse drive was also due to take place on Sunday (May 24), continuing the weekend’s celebrations.

Photo captions:

Traditional gathering: Horses, ponies, horse-drawn carts and market stalls drew crowds to Pembroke Fair in Monkton on Saturday (Pic: Herald).

News

Watchdog criticises health board over £10m GP contract checks

Published

2 days ago

May 23, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A HEALTH board has been criticised by Audit Wales after GP contracts worth more than £10m were awarded without sufficient due diligence checks.

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board allowed a GP partnership associated with eHarley Street Primary Care Solutions to take on eight GP contracts in south-east Wales, with a combined annual value of around £10.1m.

Audit Wales said the board should have carried out greater scrutiny before approving the arrangements, including checks on financial resilience, workforce plans, business risks and the partnership’s ability to manage several practices at once.

However, the watchdog found no evidence of fraud and noted the board was dealing with significant pressure in general practice, including vacant contracts and limited interest from other bidders.

The report said weaknesses in governance and scrutiny contributed to later disruption and uncertainty for patients and staff when problems emerged.

Concerns included financial and workforce pressures, unpaid invoices, and issues relating to tax and pension payments. Some contracts were later handed back, requiring the health board to step in to protect services.

Natasha Asghar MS, Welsh Conservative Shadow Cabinet Minister for Health and Social Care, said the findings were “deeply concerning”.

She said: “Patients and staff were left facing disruption and uncertainty because proper scrutiny was not carried out before these contracts were awarded.

“The Welsh Conservatives believe lessons must be learned to ensure robust checks are in place, protect frontline services and restore confidence in primary care across Wales.”

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board accepted the recommendations and said it had already strengthened its processes.

Audit Wales said the case highlighted the need for stronger checks before GP contracts are transferred, particularly when a single partnership is taking on multiple practices in a short period.