Wales has chance for a fresh start - Plaid leader

Wales has an opportunity like never before to give its government a fresh start after 25 years of Labour rule, Plaid Cymru's leader has said.

Rhun ap Iorwerth said his party must seize that opportunity and "build trust", in the run-up to the 2026 Senedd election.

A fresh start is needed "on health, on the longest-ever waiting list, on education where standards are too low, on the stagnant economy", he told the BBC.

Speaking ahead of addressing his party's autumn conference on Friday, he said Plaid would spend the coming months trying to "build trust to get people to hopefully trust us to lead the government".

The party's conference threatened to be overshadowed on Friday by a row about the Plaid's leader in Gwynedd, Dyfrig Siencyn, after he refused to apologise to the victims of paedophile headteacher Neil Foden.

There is a growing belief at a senior level in the party that his position at the top of the county's council, Cyngor Gwynedd, is untenable after his interview with Newyddion S4C.

Plaid Cymru secured its best-ever result at a UK general election in July as it won four Westminster seats.

The party has never won a Senedd election since devolution began in 1999, with Labour having led the Welsh government for 25 years.

However, Plaid has worked with Labour in government as a coalition partner and, more recently, as part of a co-operation agreement.

Ap Iorwerth brought that deal - which had been due to last until December - to an abrupt end in May.

Speaking to Today on BBC Radio Four on Friday, he said: "I think we have a context which does offer an opportunity like we have never had before to have a change our government in Wales.

"I think it’s incumbent on us to cease that opportunity because, frankly, after 25 years of one party leading government in Wales we need a fresh start."

Ap Iorwerth said people "sense or have sensed" an inevitability about Labour being the party in government in Wales "and that’s why people have gone back to them time and time again".

"Our message, especially with the new voting system in Wales, is that its not inevitable, they can have a change."

As well as the more proportional system in 2026, the number of seats in Cardiff Bay will increase from 60 to 96 and polling suggests Plaid is in a strong position to challenge Labour.

It remains likely a deal of some kind will have to be struck between two or more parties to form a government following the next election.

But ap Iorwerth told journalists before the conference he "can't see a scenario" where Plaid would co-operate with the Welsh Conservatives or Reform UK.

During his speech at the Principality Stadium, ap Iorwerth will announce he would appoint a minister for public health if he were to become first minister in May 2026.

The move would be part of Plaid's approach to supporting the NHS by investing in preventative health measures.

Ap Iorwerth will tell party members a Plaid Cymru government would "break the cycle of short-term thinking which short-changes Wales".

"For too long, Labour's priority has been managing people's pain, but I want to keep people healthy and I can announce that in the first 100 days of a Plaid Cymru government we will bring forward a new budget - based on the principles of a healthier, wealthier Wales - with a promise that spending on preventative health measures will increase every year.

"No more sticking plaster, no more blaming the individual, no more passing the buck."

He will say a minister for public health will ensure "a truly national mission of creating healthier lives which in turn delivers substantial savings".

Ap Iorwerth will also commit to "clearing the emergency maintenance backlogs" at Welsh hospitals before 2030.

Earlier this week a critical incident was declared at Bridgend's Princess of Wales Hospital after long-term damage was found to its roof.

Without a majority of the seats in the Senedd, Labour will have to strike a deal with one of the opposition parties again when it needs to pass next year's budget.

Ap Iorwerth told journalists his party was not "seeking a budget deal" and "the ball is very much in Labour's court".