Wales’ top minister has expressed confidence that her party can improve its standing ahead of the May Senedd vote.
At the Welsh Labour campaign event in Swansea on Monday, Baroness Eluned Morgan declared her party the sole group prepared to lead.
Her party has governed the Welsh Parliament since its creation more than 20 years ago, though recent polling shows it trailing both Plaid Cymru and Reform.
On Monday, Lady Morgan stated her belief that reversal is achievable with six weeks remaining.
She noted that supporters had not yet heard the party’s vision for the future, and she expected rival groups to face questions about the feasibility of their proposals, which she described as vague intentions rather than concrete strategies. She mentioned that certain groups simply intend to improvise once in office, which she considered problematic when presenting a vision for the nation’s future.
At Reform’s Wales manifesto launch earlier this month, Nigel Farage characterised the ballot as essentially a verdict on Sir Keir Starmer’s administration.
Lady Morgan had previously attempted to separate Welsh Labour from Sir Keir Starmer’s Westminster administration but subsequently declared her backing for the Prime Minister following demands for his resignation.
The two also projected solidarity during Sir Keir’s South Wales visit the previous month, emphasising collaborative delivery.
On Monday, Lady Morgan emphasised that Sir Keir Starmer is not a candidate in this ballot.
She also pointed out that Nigel Farage and Zack Polanski are similarly not standing.
At the manifesto event, Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies levelled accusations at Nigel Farage, claiming he treats Wales merely as a stepping stone.
He accused Farage and his associates of deceiving Welsh electors while claiming to provide an alternative form of politics. He argued that examination of their list of candidates reveals they are simply former Conservatives promoting rehashed Conservative policies. Though they may now have a Welsh figurehead, the real influence remains clear. Their sole aim involves using Wales as a platform to secure Farage’s position in Downing Street, with no genuine commitment to the nation.
Welsh Labour’s policy commitments encompass maintaining the Welsh income tax rate throughout the next Senedd term, allocating £4 billion to health services, and ensuring urgent patients receive assessment by a primary care clinician within two days.
Addressing supporters in Swansea, Lady Morgan declared the contest concerns something more fundamental than political performance, pointing to Wales’ future direction. She cautioned against conflating change with planning or treating protest as governance. The ballot represents a selection between those genuinely capable of steering Wales forward and others merely offering rhetoric. When considering this choice, voters would naturally seek those with governing expertise and demonstrated ability to follow through. Whether other parties possess properly costed proposals or merely intend to develop proposals later remained her pointed question.
A Plaid Cymru representative asserted this ballot represents the most consequential since devolution began, presenting a straightforward selection between the party’s optimistic vision and Reform UK’s divisive approach, with Labour reduced to an insignificant player. Plaid Cymru’s agenda encompasses reducing medical waiting periods, improving educational outcomes, introducing universal early years care, and enhancing assistance for Welsh enterprises. The party declared Labour’s tenure concluded and positioned itself as the sole group offering the fresh leadership and drive required for Wales to progress.