THE WELSH GOVERNMENT has been forced to defend First Minister Eluned Morgan’s summer “listening tour”, following accusations from Plaid Cymru that the initiative was merely a public relations exercise.

Ms Morgan, who took office as Wales’ First Minister in August, has stated that her summer was spent engaging with voters across the country, gathering insights into their concerns. She claims that these discussions will play a crucial role in shaping the government’s priorities for the coming year.

However, the Welsh Government has come under fire from Plaid Cymru, which has questioned the substance of the listening exercise. Opposition figures have criticised the lack of clarity regarding the aims and objectives of the tour, as well as how its outcomes will be evaluated.

The government’s response to these criticisms has been vague, with a spokesperson stating that the First Minister’s conversations with the public will inform the priorities to be announced at the start of the Senedd term.

‘No measurable outcomes’

During her appearance on the BBC’s Newscast podcast last week, Ms Morgan emphasised the importance of connecting with the public, saying she had spent the summer “getting out, listening to what people have to say all over Wales, getting a really unfiltered view of what they think we should be doing”.

She acknowledged that the implementation of 20mph speed limits had been raised as a contentious issue during her discussions. “Part of the problem of being in power for so long as Labour has in Wales – 25 years governing Wales – is how do you reinvent yourself while you’re in office?” she reflected. “For me, the important thing is to make sure that you reflect on the priorities of the public.”

Despite the First Minister’s efforts to present the tour as an opportunity to hear from the electorate, Plaid Cymru’s Rhun ap Iorwerth has expressed scepticism. In August, he submitted a written question asking for details on the objectives of the exercise, how it would be evaluated, and how the data would be collected. Ms Morgan declined to answer directly, instead referring him to an earlier response given to Conservative member Sam Rowlands, in which she simply reiterated her intention to listen to the concerns of Welsh citizens.

Mr ap Iorwerth did not hold back in his criticism: “Much like many Labour Welsh Government ambitions, the First Minister’s ‘listening exercise’ has no measurable outcomes or evaluation process. It has proved to be little more than a PR stunt to try and curry favour with the public after months of Labour infighting.”

“What was really required this summer was a government getting to work to address the significant challenges facing our economy and public services,” he added.

Opposition questions the tour’s credibility

Videos shared by the Welsh Government on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) show Ms Morgan engaging with communities in Ebbw Vale, Merthyr Tydfil, and parts of North Wales. Welsh Labour also launched an online questionnaire to gather further feedback.

However, opposition parties, including Plaid Cymru, have voiced concerns about the lack of structure and transparency surrounding the tour. Nation.Cymru reported that there were no scheduled events for the tour, further raising questions about its legitimacy.

The Welsh Government has dismissed these concerns, maintaining that the First Minister’s informal engagements were intended to offer a platform for spontaneous and unfiltered conversations with the public.

A government spokesperson said: “Throughout the summer, the First Minister has visited communities across Wales to listen to local people talking about their hopes and concerns. It has also given people the chance to speak directly to the First Minister and offer their spontaneous opinions about what really matters to them.”

They added: “The First Minister was keen that the conversations were not orchestrated, and they will be used to help her set the Welsh Government’s priorities, which will be announced at the start of the new Senedd term.”

New cabinet expected soon

Ms Morgan became First Minister following the resignation of Vaughan Gething, who recently announced that he would step down from the Senedd in 2026. He has also stated that he will not seek a ministerial position under Ms Morgan’s leadership. The First Minister is expected to unveil her full cabinet shortly.

As the Senedd prepares to reconvene, the effectiveness of Ms Morgan’s summer listening exercise will come under increasing scrutiny, with many eager to see if the concerns voiced by the public will translate into concrete government action.