News
Plaid Cymru sets out full candidate slate ahead of landmark 2026 Senedd election
Party positions itself for strongest result in decades under new voting system
PLAID CYMRU has published its full roster of candidates for the 2026 Senedd election, the first national vote to be held under Wales’s new fully-proportional electoral system. The party, led by Rhun ap Iorwerth, enters the campaign with polling suggesting it could emerge as the largest group in the Senedd for the first time.
The election on 7 May 2026 will see Wales move away from the traditional mix of constituency and regional seats. Instead, 16 newly drawn constituencies will each elect six Members of the Senedd, with parties allowed to field up to eight candidates on each list. The shift represents the most significant reform of Welsh democracy since devolution.
Recent ITV Cymru Wales/Barn Cymru polling places Plaid Cymru and Reform UK almost level, separated by just one percentage point. Modelling suggests Plaid could win around thirty-eight of the ninety-six available seats, with Reform close behind and Labour projected to fall sharply from its dominant position of recent decades.
Returning figures and new contenders
Several well-known names feature prominently on Plaid’s lists. In Sir Gaerfyrddin, former party leader Adam Price is placed third, behind sitting MS Cefin Campbell and former Assembly Member Nerys Evans. In Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf, former party chief executive Dafydd Trystan heads the list, reflecting the party’s confidence in the capital.
In Pen-y-bont Bro Morgannwg, regional MS Luke Fletcher is placed third, signalling stiff internal competition in one of the newly drawn urban-coastal seats.
‘A historic opportunity’, says party leader
Rhun ap Iorwerth said the new electoral system offered Wales “a historic opportunity to choose a government rooted in our communities, not Westminster parties”.
“I’m proud of the outstanding team we are putting forward,” he said. “These are candidates deeply rooted in their communities and committed to delivering a fairer, stronger Wales. After years of drift, and with the threat of Reform pulling politics backwards, this is a two-horse race. Plaid Cymru is ready to lead.”
He said the party would focus on improving the NHS, easing cost-of-living pressures, expanding childcare and supporting Welsh businesses.
Plaid Cymru candidates by constituency
Afan Ogwr Rhondda
Sera Evans; Alun Cox; Elyn Stephens; Danny Grehan; Luned-Mair Barratt; Wendy Allsop.
Bangor Conwy Môn
Rhun ap Iorwerth; Mair Rowlands; Elfed Williams; Dyfed Jones; Nia Clwyd Owen; Vivek Thuppil.
Blaenau Gwent Caerffili Rhymni
Delyth Jewell; Lindsay Whittle; Niamh Salkeld; Catrin Moss; Charlotte Bishop; Steven Skivens.
Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd
Sioned Williams; Rebeca Phillips; Andrew Jenkins; Justin Horrell; (two further names not publicly ranked).
Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf
Dafydd Trystan; Zaynub Akbar; Nick Carter; Andrea Gibson; Joseff Gnagbo; Morgan Rogers.
Caerdydd Penarth
Anna Brychan; Kiera Marshall; Leticia Gonzalez; Neil Roberts; Malcolm Phillips; Matthew Hawkins.
Casnewydd Islwyn
Peredur Owen Griffiths; Lyn Ackerman; Rhys Mills; Josh Rawcliffe; Jonathan Clark; (sixth name not published).
Ceredigion Penfro
Elin Jones; Kerry Ferguson; Anna Nicholl; Cris Tomos; Colin Nosworthy; Clive Davies.
Clwyd
Llyr Gruffydd; Becca Martin; Oliver Bradley Hughes; Paul Penlington; (two further names not publicly ranked).
Fflint Wrecsam
Carrie Harper; Marc Jones; Kayleigh Unitt; Dean Davies; Annette Davies; Andy Gallanders.
Gwynedd Maldwyn
Siân Gwenllian; Mabon ap Gwynfor; Beca Brown; Elwyn Vaughan; Elin Hywel; Donna O’Brien.
Gŵyr Abertawe
Gwyn Williams; Safa Elhassan; John Davies; Rhiannon Barrar; Dafydd Williams; Harri Roberts.
Pen-y-bont Bro Morgannwg
Mark Hooper; Sarah Rees; Luke Fletcher; Marianne Cowpe; Ian Johnson; Iolo Caudy.
Pontypridd Cynon Merthyr
Heledd Fychan; Lis McLean; Sara Crowley; Ian Gwynne; Farrell Perks; Ioan Bellin.
Sir Fynwy Torfaen
Matthew Jones; Donna Cushing; David Johnson; Loti Glyn; (two further names not publicly ranked).
Sir Gaerfyrddin
Cefin Campbell; Nerys Evans; Adam Price; Mari Arthur; Iwan Griffiths; Abi Thomas.
A decisive moment for Welsh politics
With Wales preparing for its first fully proportional Senedd election, Plaid Cymru enters the campaign with a level of momentum not seen in a generation. If the polling holds, the party believes it is positioned to form a “made-in-Wales” government for the first time.
Business
First wind turbine components arrive as LNG project moves ahead
THE FIRST ship carrying major components for Dragon LNG’s new onshore wind turbines docked at Pembroke Port yesterday afternoon, marking the start of physical deliveries for the multi-million-pound renewable energy project.
The Maltese-registered general cargo vessel Peak Bergen berthed at Pembroke Dock shortly after 4pm on Wednesday, bringing tower sections and other heavy components for the three Enercon turbines that will eventually stand on land adjacent to the existing gas terminal at Waterston.
A second vessel, the Irish-flagged Wilson Flex IV, is due to arrive in the early hours of this morning (Thursday) carrying the giant rotor blades.
The deliveries follow a successful trial convoy on 25 November, when police-escorted low-loader trailers carried dummy loads along the planned route from the port through Pembroke, past Waterloo roundabout and up the A477 to the Dragon LNG site.
Dragon LNG’s Community and Social Performance Officer, Lynette Round, confirmed the latest movements in emails to the Herald.
“The Peak Bergen arrived yesterday with the first components,” she said. “We are expecting another delivery tomorrow (Thursday) onboard the Wilson Flex IV. This will be blades and is currently showing an ETA of approximately 03:30.”
The £14.3 million project, approved by Welsh Ministers last year, will see three turbines with a combined capacity of up to 13.5 MW erected on company-owned land next to the LNG terminal. Once operational – expected in late 2026 – they will generate enough electricity to power the entire site, significantly reducing its carbon footprint.
Port of Milford Haven shipping movements showed the Peak Bergen approaching the Haven throughout Wednesday morning before finally tying up at the cargo berth in Pembroke Dock. Cranes began unloading operations yesterday evening.
Weather conditions are currently favourable for this morning’s arrival of the Wilson Flex IV, which was tracking south of the Smalls at midnight.
The abnormal-load convoys carrying the components from the port to Waterston are expected to begin next week, subject to final police and highway approvals.
A community benefit fund linked to the project will provide training opportunities and energy-bill support for residents in nearby Waterston, Llanstadwell and Neyland.
Further updates will be issued by Dragon LNG as the Port of Milford Haven as the delivery programme continues.
Photo: Martin Cavaney
Crime
Banned for 40 months after driving with cocaine breakdown product in blood
A MILFORD HAVEN woman has been handed a lengthy driving ban after admitting driving with a controlled drug in her system more than ten times over the legal limit.
SENTENCED AT HAVERFORDWEST
Sally Allen, 43, of Wentworth Close, Hubberston, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Dec 4) for sentencing, having pleaded guilty on November 25 to driving with a proportion of a specified controlled drug above the prescribed limit.
The court heard that Allen was stopped on August 25 on the Old Hakin Road at Tiers Cross while driving an Audi A3. Blood analysis showed 509µg/l of Benzoylecgonine, a breakdown product of cocaine. The legal limit is 50µg/l.
COMMUNITY ORDER AND REHABILITATION
Magistrates imposed a 40-month driving ban, backdated to her interim disqualification which began on November 25.
Allen was also handed a 12-month community order, requiring her to complete 10 days of rehabilitation activities as directed by the Probation Service.
She was fined £120, ordered to pay £85 prosecution costs and a £114 surcharge. Her financial penalties will be paid in £25 monthly instalments from January 1, 2026.
The bench—Mrs H Roberts, Mr M Shankland and Mrs J Morris—said her guilty plea had been taken into account when passing sentence.
Local Government
Sewage leak at Pembroke Commons prompts urgent clean-up works
Council pollution officers say they have no enforcement powers over Welsh Water infrastructure
SEWAGE contamination on the Commons in Pembroke has prompted an urgent response from pollution officers, after a leak was reported by a member of the public on Tuesday.
Pembrokeshire County Council’s Pollution Control Team confirmed they were alerted yesterday afternoon to sewage surrounding a manhole cover on the site. The Herald understands that officers immediately notified Welsh Water (DCWW) network technicians to investigate the incident “as a matter of urgency”.
County councillor Jonathan Grimes, who represents Pembroke St Mary South and Monkton, said the authority had been clear that it holds no enforcement powers over Welsh Water assets.
“Whilst we work constructively with Welsh Water, we have no authority to intervene on their apparatus or to carry out enforcement action against them for such pollution incidents,” the Pollution Control Team said in a statement shared with the councillor.
Urgent works underway
Council officers visited the site on Wednesday morning alongside contractors and Welsh Water technicians to assess clean-up options. According to the team, works will include cleaning the contaminated ground in and around the manhole cover and fencing off the affected area “until safe”.
Cllr Grimes said officers would return to the scene on Thursday to check on progress and ensure the area is properly secured.
Residents who notice any further issues have been urged to contact the Pollution Control Team directly.
Further updates are expected later this week.
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