Plaid Cymru has launched their plan for their first 100 days in government if they were to win the Senedd election at an event at their party conference in Newport. The 60-page bilingual document which was like a mini manifesto was big on launching plans but lacked specific details.
On Saturday, February 28, the media gathered for the press conference and unveiling of their plan, the first party in Wales to produce such a plan of action. Minutes before Rhun ap Iorwerth was due to speak to members of the press they were informed he would not be answering any questions at the press conference.
As journalists quickly read through the mammoth document, which contained 88 bullet points setting out various action Mr ap Iorwerth’s government would take in the first 100 days, the party leader continued to hammer home points on waiting lists and childcare, which have been a theme of this party conference.
In total, the document set out that they would commission a total of 13 reviews and audits, meaning they are promising to commission something new each week. For the biggest stories in Wales first sign up to our daily newsletter here.
Included in these was the commissioning of an independent review on the performance of the NHS in Wales, focusing on waiting lists, which the party leader told journalists was a “scandal”. There was however a lack of information as to how much they intend on cutting down waiting lists in this time frame.
He also said his party would develop a roadmap to cut out the spending on private agency staff in the NHS by 2030.
Much of the document contained plans to develop targets, commissions, reviews, roadmaps, and to begin work on policy the party have already announced, such as their plans to substantially expand the free childcare provision in Wales.
Mr ap Iorwerth said: “We will work with local authorities and childcare providers on plans to urgently complete the rollout of 12.5 hours of funded childcare for all two-year-olds.”
Alongside these plans, developing new school swimming programmes was mentioned twice, and planning for the rollout of the new libraries in primary schools scheme was all mentioned.
The 100-day plan also states that from September 2026, Plaid Cymru will expand free school meals to all secondary school pupils in households on Universial Credit with no income limit, and says they will restrict the use of smartphones in schools for under-16s.
It also includes commisioning a “comprehensive review” into the funding of universities in Wales which they said would make sure more Welsh students are supported to study in Wales.
Mr ap Iorwerth’s plan also brought forward proposals to incorporate key United Nations human rights conventions into Welsh law and said they would work to end violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence across all areas of government.
He was also keen to state that his government would press Westminster to devolve welfare powers to Wales, on a par with Scotland, and said they would review existing Welsh benefits.
Moving on to the economy, the 100-day plan promises to set up town centre taskforces to explore the option of reformed business rates and set clear targets on the economy.
On transport, another issue Plaid have repeatedly slammed Westminster for, Mr ap Iorwerth said his party would begin negiotiations with the UK government on losses for England-only rail projects, and would prepare to launch an express coach service to link north and south Wales.
Mr ap Iorwerth’s party are currently projected to win the largest portion of the vote share in May’s Senedd elections. The latest poll carried out by YouGov on behalf of ITV Cymru Wales/Barn Cymru projected Plaid Cymru would win 37% of the vote share, to Reform’s 23% and Labour’s 10%.
