Latest news with #Plaid-led
Leader Live
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Leader Live
Social media star among Wrexham Plaid Cymru trio standing for Senedd
The surprise candidate for certain is Kayleigh Unitt from Gresford. With more than 118,000 social media followers across a number of channels on tiktok and instagram, she has built a following producing voxpop, blog and interview content for Plaid Cymru. Now she has stepped forward to seek election for the party. "I am honoured to be on the list with two powerhouse community campaigners and feel very grateful we have the support of our members," she said. 'It's time for a fresh start with a Plaid-led government and I'm overjoyed to be part of the team heading into 2026 to bring about some much needed and overdue change in Wales. I can't wait to get out into Fflint-Wrecsam and continue our campaigning." She is joined on the ballot paper by Queensway Cllr Carrie Harper and Wrexham's Plaid group leader, Cllr Marc Jones of Grosvenor Ward. "The polls show that our part of Wales will have a team of Plaid Cymru Senedd Members elected for the first time in 2026," said Cllr Harper. 'We're determined to make a difference and I'm looking forward to giving people a progressive option to vote for next year. 'Labour in Wales have had 26 years of running the Welsh Government and have let Wales down. They've failed to fight our corner in Westminster and are punishing our communities with cuts to the winter fuel allowance and disability benefits. 'Tory voters are now flocking to Reform, a right-wing English party that couldn't care less about Welsh communities. If you want to stop Reform next year, Plaid is the way to do it. 'Next year is a Welsh election and we have a progressive option to vote for so back team Wales, back Plaid Cymru.' Cllr Marc Jones added: "As someone who grew up in Flintshire and has lived in Wrexham for the past 40 years, having the opportunity to represent this area as part of the Plaid team would be a huge privilege. "People are telling us they want change and we can be that positive change here in Fflint-Wrecsam." An early YouGov voting intention poll published on May 7 suggests Plaid Cymru could become the largest party in the Senedd in next May's elections with 30% of the vote, ahead of Reform on 25%, Labour on 18% and Comnservative Party on 13%.
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
North Wales Live
09-05-2025
- Politics
- North Wales Live
Welsh independence referendum 'could absolutely happen' as Plaid leads poll
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. 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."
Powys County Times
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Powys County Times
Welsh independence referendum a possibility says Plaid Cymru
A referendum on Welsh independence is 'absolutely' a possibility within 'our lifetime', Plaid Cymru's leader has revealed. An independence referendum was promised by Adam Price, with the former Plaid leader saying it would take place in the next five years. However, new Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth has now ruled out holding a referendum on Wales leaving the UK in the first term of a Plaid-led Welsh government, when speaking to the BBC's Walescast this week. Welsh independence referendum 'absolute' possibility in 'our lifetime' But Mr ap Iorwerth told the PA news agency a referendum could form part of a Plaid government's platform for the future, once it has built trust with the Welsh electorate. Mr ap Iorwerth, speaking to PA, said: "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,' he added. Should Plaid Cymru pursue such a referendum in the future, it would be likely to need support from other parties in Cardiff Bay and at Westminster, which is unlikely to be forthcoming. Latest Senedd election poll results Talk of a referendum for Welsh independence brought on by a Plaid-led Welsh government comes after the most recent poll results were released for the upcoming Senedd election (set to take place in 2026). Plaid is projected to be the largest party in the Senedd following the outcome of the election with around 30% of votes and 35 seats in the Siambr, according to a YouGov poll published on Tuesday (May 6). Plaid Cymru is the only credible pro Wales government on offer in 2026. 🏴 — Plaid Cymru 🏴 (@Plaid_Cymru) May 7, 2025 Nigel Farage's Reform UK would be the second-largest party, with 25% of votes, according to the poll. 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. When is the next Senedd election? The next Senedd election will take place on May 7, 2026. It will see Welsh voters use a new proportional system to choose their representatives.
South Wales Argus
09-05-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
Welsh independence referendum a possibility says Plaid Cymru
An independence referendum was promised by Adam Price, with the former Plaid leader saying it would take place in the next five years. However, new Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth has now ruled out holding a referendum on Wales leaving the UK in the first term of a Plaid-led Welsh government, when speaking to the BBC's Walescast this week. Welsh independence referendum 'absolute' possibility in 'our lifetime' But Mr ap Iorwerth told the PA news agency a referendum could form part of a Plaid government's platform for the future, once it has built trust with the Welsh electorate. Mr ap Iorwerth, speaking to PA, said: "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,' he added. Rhun ap Iorwerth has said a referendum for Welsh independence could form part of a Plaid government's platform for the future. (Image: Ben Birchall/PA) Should Plaid Cymru pursue such a referendum in the future, it would be likely to need support from other parties in Cardiff Bay and at Westminster, which is unlikely to be forthcoming. Latest Senedd election poll results Talk of a referendum for Welsh independence brought on by a Plaid-led Welsh government comes after the most recent poll results were released for the upcoming Senedd election (set to take place in 2026). Plaid is projected to be the largest party in the Senedd following the outcome of the election with around 30% of votes and 35 seats in the Siambr, according to a YouGov poll published on Tuesday (May 6). Plaid Cymru is the only credible pro Wales government on offer in 2026. 🏴 — Plaid Cymru 🏴 (@Plaid_Cymru) May 7, 2025 Nigel Farage's Reform UK would be the second-largest party, with 25% of votes, according to the poll. 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. RECOMMENDED READING: When is the next Senedd election? The next Senedd election will take place on May 7, 2026. It 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.
