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South Wales Argus
an hour ago
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Rhun ap Iorwerth accuses Labour of 'actively hurting Wales'
Rhun ap Iorwerth criticised Labour's promise that having two governments of the same party would benefit Wales. The Plaid Cymru leader said: "Almost a year since Labour came into power in Westminster, their so-called 'partnership in power' is actively hurting Wales." He pointed towards a £70 million shortfall to fund the rise in employers' National Insurance Contributions affecting public sector organisations, Labour's decision to vote against calls to scrap the two-child benefit cap, the cancellation of the only in-person consultation in Wales on cuts to disability benefits, and the lack of further rail funding. Mr ap Iorwerth added: "Every time we call out these damaging policies, Labour in Wales put party before country." He concluded: "The people of Wales deserve a government that will always stand up for them."
Western Telegraph
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Western Telegraph
Senedd debate on Labour Welsh Government's record
Rhun ap Iorwerth accused Labour of failing to stand up for Wales and live up to promises made at the start of this Senedd term. The Plaid Cymru leader told the Senedd: 'Everywhere you look – whether it's the NHS, our economy, schools or society more broadly – the situation is worse now. But others accused Plaid Cymru of 'gesture politics' after 'propping up' the Labour Welsh Government for most of the past four years. Leading the debate on a Plaid Cymru motion on May 7, exactly one year before the next election, Mr ap Iorwerth directed his ire at the 'disgraceful' legacy left by the Tories. He said: 'It's no wonder they suffered a slaughter electorally in Wales last summer and the opinion polls for the Senedd election suggest they are increasingly irrelevant. 'But the excuses are far harder to bear now the Labour party is in government in Westminster, something that was pledged time and time again by Labour members for years prior to the election would lead to change for the better.' The former broadcast journalist criticised UK Government decisions to slash the welfare budget and restrict winter fuel allowance – 'cuts even George Osborne would wince about'. Paul Davies argued Plaid Cymru should be held accountable for the Welsh Government's record due to the now-collapsed cooperation agreement between the two. Jane Dodds, Welsh Liberal Democrat leader and the party's sole Senedd member, also pointed out that Plaid Cymru had a seat at the table as part of the three-year budget deal. She said: 'You've helped to steer the ship and you don't get to act surprised about the destination when you have actually been holding the map.' Ms Dodds, who struck a £100m deal with ministers to pass the latest Welsh budget, urged Plaid Cymru to take ownership of achievements such as free school meals. Senedd members voted 35-11 against the Plaid Cymru motion. Conservative and Labour amendments also fell. With the final vote deadlocked at 23-23, deputy speaker Dai Rees used his casting vote against the Welsh Government's amendment in line with convention.
South Wales Guardian
09-05-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Guardian
Senedd debate on Labour Welsh Government's record
Rhun ap Iorwerth accused Labour of failing to stand up for Wales and live up to promises made at the start of this Senedd term. The Plaid Cymru leader told the Senedd: 'Everywhere you look – whether it's the NHS, our economy, schools or society more broadly – the situation is worse now. But others accused Plaid Cymru of 'gesture politics' after 'propping up' the Labour Welsh Government for most of the past four years. Leading the debate on a Plaid Cymru motion on May 7, exactly one year before the next election, Mr ap Iorwerth directed his ire at the 'disgraceful' legacy left by the Tories. He said: 'It's no wonder they suffered a slaughter electorally in Wales last summer and the opinion polls for the Senedd election suggest they are increasingly irrelevant. 'But the excuses are far harder to bear now the Labour party is in government in Westminster, something that was pledged time and time again by Labour members for years prior to the election would lead to change for the better.' The former broadcast journalist criticised UK Government decisions to slash the welfare budget and restrict winter fuel allowance – 'cuts even George Osborne would wince about'. Paul Davies argued Plaid Cymru should be held accountable for the Welsh Government's record due to the now-collapsed cooperation agreement between the two. Jane Dodds, Welsh Liberal Democrat leader and the party's sole Senedd member, also pointed out that Plaid Cymru had a seat at the table as part of the three-year budget deal. She said: 'You've helped to steer the ship and you don't get to act surprised about the destination when you have actually been holding the map.' Ms Dodds, who struck a £100m deal with ministers to pass the latest Welsh budget, urged Plaid Cymru to take ownership of achievements such as free school meals. Senedd members voted 35-11 against the Plaid Cymru motion. Conservative and Labour amendments also fell. With the final vote deadlocked at 23-23, deputy speaker Dai Rees used his casting vote against the Welsh Government's amendment in line with convention.
South Wales Argus
09-05-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
Senedd debate on Labour Welsh Government's record
Rhun ap Iorwerth accused Labour of failing to stand up for Wales and live up to promises made at the start of this Senedd term. The Plaid Cymru leader told the Senedd: 'Everywhere you look – whether it's the NHS, our economy, schools or society more broadly – the situation is worse now. But others accused Plaid Cymru of 'gesture politics' after 'propping up' the Labour Welsh Government for most of the past four years. Leading the debate on a Plaid Cymru motion on May 7, exactly one year before the next election, Mr ap Iorwerth directed his ire at the 'disgraceful' legacy left by the Tories. He said: 'It's no wonder they suffered a slaughter electorally in Wales last summer and the opinion polls for the Senedd election suggest they are increasingly irrelevant. 'But the excuses are far harder to bear now the Labour party is in government in Westminster, something that was pledged time and time again by Labour members for years prior to the election would lead to change for the better.' The former broadcast journalist criticised UK Government decisions to slash the welfare budget and restrict winter fuel allowance – 'cuts even George Osborne would wince about'. Paul Davies argued Plaid Cymru should be held accountable for the Welsh Government's record due to the now-collapsed cooperation agreement between the two. Jane Dodds, Welsh Liberal Democrat leader and the party's sole Senedd member, also pointed out that Plaid Cymru had a seat at the table as part of the three-year budget deal. She said: 'You've helped to steer the ship and you don't get to act surprised about the destination when you have actually been holding the map.' Ms Dodds, who struck a £100m deal with ministers to pass the latest Welsh budget, urged Plaid Cymru to take ownership of achievements such as free school meals. Senedd members voted 35-11 against the Plaid Cymru motion. Conservative and Labour amendments also fell. With the final vote deadlocked at 23-23, deputy speaker Dai Rees used his casting vote against the Welsh Government's amendment in line with convention.
Wales Online
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Wales Online
Welsh independence referendum 'could absolutely happen' as Plaid leads poll
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Plaid Cymru's leader Rhun ap Iorwerth says a referendum on Welsh independence could "absolutely" happen within "our lifetime". He spoke confidently about his party's prospects after a YouGov poll suggested Plaid might emerge as the dominant force in the 2026 Senedd elections, potentially securing around 30% of votes and 35 seats. According to the same poll, Nigel Farage's Reform UK is predicted to be the second-largest party with 25% of the vote share. While addressing BBC's Walescast, Mr ap Iorwerth clarified that a referendum on Wales leaving the UK would not occur in the initial term of a Plaid-led government. This stance marks a shift from his predecessor Adam Price's promise of a referendum within five years. However, speaking to the PA news agency, he indicated that a referendum could be part of Plaid's future agenda, contingent on gaining the Welsh electorate's trust. "The key thing is it's up to the people of Wales. And I've many times said that I would have independence tomorrow, but it's not what I think that matters. "It's what the people of Wales believe, and I absolutely think we can have that referendum and set us off on a different direction as a country within our lifetime." Should Plaid pursue such a referendum in future, it would be likely to need support from other parties in Cardiff Bay and at Westminster, which is unlikely to be forthcoming. (Image: Getty Images) Plaid would focus on "deep problems within the NHS in Wales", as well as education, economic stagnation and poverty, should it be the party that leads the next Welsh government, Mr ap Iorwerth said. The next Senedd election will see Welsh voters use a new proportional system to choose their representatives. Some 49 seats will be required for an outright majority, with the Senedd being expanded to 96 members. The previous system had an "in-built bias towards Labour ", the Plaid leader said. Mr ap Iorwerth added: "That changes with the new electoral system that we have in Wales, and it's a genuine case that wherever people are in Wales, the votes that they cast will contribute towards who can be leading that government next year, Plaid Cymru is putting itself forward as the party to lead that government. "And if people want that, they can have it with me as first minister, the first non-Labour first minister, setting a different direction for governments in Wales." Parties in Wales are likely to have to co-operate following the poll, the Plaid leader admitted, but he continued to rule out a "formal relationship" with Mr Farage's Reform UK. Mr ap Iorwerth added: "We have two conservative parties in Wales now: the Conservative Party, and the Tories on steroids that Reform are: the pro-Thatcher, the pro-Liz Truss, the pro-Trump political party that works against the interests of workers, that works against the interests of businesses in Wales. "I just don't think that's the politics that is in the interests of Wales." Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox Find out what's happening near you
