NATIONAL EDUCATION UNION CYMRU has published a new manifesto outlining its vision to “Save Education in Wales” ahead of the Senedd elections in May.

The union says the document is designed to help political parties ensure their policies reflect the needs of the education workforce and learners across Wales.

Launching the manifesto, Nicola Fitzpatrick, Wales Secretary of the National Education Union, said education must be at the heart of the next Welsh Government’s priorities.

“NEU Cymru members are clear that education must be a priority for the next Welsh Government. May’s election is important — this is our chance to vote for education in Wales,” she said.

She identified funding, workforce trust and tackling child poverty as key issues.

“Funding is clearly a priority for NEU Cymru, along with trusting the workforce and ending child poverty. The next Welsh Government needs to invest in education to ensure that we are supporting the next generation. But we can’t be complacent,” she added.

The union also set out areas it believes must be protected, including opposition to academisation.

“There are parts of the education system that we need to protect — no academisation of schools, for example, because in Wales children are the priority, not private interests. Free school meals for all our primary school children must be protected. And our Welsh values are important too — protecting diversity, equality and inclusion.”

The manifesto sets out a series of policy proposals aimed at strengthening public education in Wales as parties prepare their campaigns for May’s vote.

Vote.wales to host all essential election information for the Senedd election

A BRAND new voter information website, vote.wales, has been launched today (2 March) by the Electoral Management Board for Wales, part of the Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru.

Vote.wales is the first website of its kind in Wales and tells people everything they need to know about the election, including advice about voting, information about the Senedd, and a postcode search function to provide tailored local information.

The website holds information about who can register to vote, how voting works in polling stations, as well as postal and proxy voting, and what accessibility support people can expect when they go to vote.

A postcode search function on vote.wales allows voters to see which of Wales’ 16 new constituencies they will be voting in, as well as telling them where their local polling station is located.

Once nominations have closed, the website will also inform voters which political parties and independent candidates are standing in their area.

The website explains how the Senedd works and what it does, highlighting which policy areas are devolved to the Senedd and which remain the responsibility of the UK Parliament. It also sets out the difference between the Senedd and the Welsh Government.

Further developments are expected in the coming weeks. In a first for Welsh elections, voters will soon be able to access detailed accessibility information about their local polling station. Political parties and independent candidates will also be able to publish their election leaflets on the platform, so voters can see not only who is standing but what they stand for.

Following the election, vote.wales will publish the full election results.

Commenting on the launch, Shereen Williams MBE OStJ, Chief Executive of the Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru, said:

“An important election is coming on 7 May, and vote.wales is the place to go to find out all about it.

“We know that people across Wales are looking forward to making their voices heard at this election, but many people don’t feel they have all the information they need before they go and vote.

“If you have questions about this election, then head to vote.wales. Voting confidence starts here.”

WELSH LABOUR leader Eluned Morgan has launched her party’s Senedd election campaign with a headline pledge to invest £4bn in new hospitals, as the party faces growing political competition ahead of the May vote.

Speaking to party members and candidates in Newport on Monday (Mar 2), Morgan set out five central pledges focused on the cost of living, jobs, the NHS, the environment, and social fairness, presenting what she described as a long-term plan for Wales.

The announcement comes at a politically sensitive time, with health services widely expected to be a defining issue in the election and opposition parties seeking to capitalise on public dissatisfaction with NHS waiting times and performance.

Major NHS investment promise

At the centre of Labour’s campaign is a proposed £4bn Hospitals for the Future Fund, which would modernise parts of Wales’ ageing NHS estate over the next decade.

The funding would include replacing the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff, redeveloping Wrexham Maelor Hospital, and supporting a new hospital development in West Wales.

Eluned Morgan said: “The NHS is not just a service. It’s a promise. And we need to renew that promise. Not with slogans, but with the biggest investment programme in our history.”

She said the programme would ensure hospitals were “fit for modern medicine” while improving working conditions for staff and patient access.

Mental health and access reforms

Alongside capital investment, Labour also announced plans to expand same-day mental health services across Wales through an “open access” model, building on the NHS 111 press 2 system.

Demonstrator projects would be rolled out across all health boards, with the Welsh Government claiming Wales could become the first country to offer such a model nationwide.

Five campaign pledges

Morgan outlined five key priorities:

• Tackling the cost of living, including a £2 bus fare cap and expanded childcare
• Jobs for the future through renewable energy and retraining guarantees
• A new NHS deal including hospital investment and women’s health initiatives
• Environmental protection including river clean-ups and tackling fly-tipping
• A fairer society with homelessness action, pay rises for low-paid workers, and improved schools

Political dividing lines

The Labour leader used her speech to draw sharp contrasts with rival parties, criticising Reform UK as offering “rage” without solutions and accusing Plaid Cymru of lacking detail behind policy proposals.

“We are seeing a politics that is louder than it is wise,” she said. “Plaid always has a complaint. Welsh Labour has the plan.”

Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds MS said: “After 27 years in power, Welsh Labour’s record speaks for itself. Wales sits at the bottom of too many league tables, whether it’s education, health or wages.

“Today we heard more promises. But many of these are targets Welsh Labour have already failed to meet in previous terms. The problem isn’t a lack of pledges; it’s a lack of delivery.

“The people of Wales are tired of excuses and recycled announcements. They want a fresh start, new energy and a different style of leadership. The Welsh Liberal Democrats are ready to offer that change, focused on delivery, accountability and putting communities first.”

Election context

Labour has governed Wales since devolution began in 1999, but the upcoming election is widely expected to be more competitive than previous contests, with polling suggesting a fragmented political landscape and growing support for challenger parties.

Health services, cost-of-living pressures and economic confidence are expected to dominate the campaign in the coming months.

Further policy announcements are expected in the weeks ahead.