Plaid Cymru leader plans minority Welsh government built on cooperation

"The leader of Plaid Cymru, Rhun ap Iorwerth, has vowed to form a stable minority government in the Senedd and said he would seek out mature cooperation from all opposition parties. Ap Iorwerth said his administration would press the UK government for extra powers over policy areas such as policing and justice and focus on results rather than engaging in political rows with Westminster."

"Asked if Plaid's win meant the country had taken a step closer to independence a key Plaid aspiration ap Iorwerth replied that a more confident Wales felt closer. The people of Wales didn't begrudgingly decide to give us a go, he said. They said: We believe in your belief in Wales.' If there's one thing we absolutely have to bring out of this, it is a more confident nation. And I believe we're on the way to that."

"Plaid fell short of winning a majority in the Welsh parliament, taking 43 of the 96 seats but comfortably held off the challenge of Reform UK (34 seats) and soundly beat Labour (nine), who had dominated politics in Wales for a century. On Sunday the Green party leader in Wales, Anthony Slaughter, said his party would back ap Iorwerth's bid to become first minister, and the sole Liberal Democrat, Jane Dodds, said she would abstain from the vote."

"If, as expected, the Labour members also abstain, the path will be clear for ap Iorwerth to become first minister. The Plaid leader said he hoped a vote could take place as early as Tuesday, adding: We are eager to press ahead as soon as we can. We want to get going. He said he did not see the need to work with other parties as a negative. We have to look for positives in this. I'm sure we can build stability by putting a programme together in a way that we can attract the support of others to get things done. We're not talking about coalitions, we're talking about a cooperative approach."

Rhun ap Iorwerth pledged to form a stable minority government in the Senedd and to pursue mature cooperation from opposition parties. He said his administration would press the UK government for additional powers in areas such as policing and justice, while prioritizing outcomes over political disputes with Westminster. He linked Plaid’s electoral performance to a more confident Wales and said people chose to support that confidence rather than reluctantly “give it a go.” Plaid won 43 of 96 seats, holding off Reform UK with 34 and defeating Labour with nine. The Green Party leader said his party would back ap Iorwerth, while the Liberal Democrat would abstain. If Labour members also abstain, ap Iorwerth could become first minister, with a vote hoped for as early as Tuesday. Priorities include improving health services, raising education standards, creating jobs, and expanding childcare.

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