The Welsh Conservatives have failed to present five key pledges or priorities at the outset of their manifesto.
Instead, the document opens with a letter from party leader Darren Millar that concentrates primarily on stimulating economic growth, the health service, education and youth, reversing 20mph speed restrictions, and reducing taxation.
These themes have therefore been identified as the principal priorities for the Welsh Conservatives in the forthcoming election.
Economy
The Welsh Conservatives have put forward their ‘economic growth plan for Wales,’ committing to generate employment opportunities, leverage emerging technologies, and attract investment throughout the country.
To ‘get Wales working,’ the party recommends eliminating business rates for small enterprises, pubs, and post offices; trialling periods with no business rates for new retail ventures opening on Welsh high streets; and widening access to public procurement contracts for smaller companies.
The Conservatives intend to formulate growth strategies spanning energy, healthcare, defence, aerospace, agriculture, tourism, financial services, and creative industries.
Tax Cuts
Reducing taxes also features prominently in the Welsh Conservatives’ platform should they form a government.
They have undertaken to reduce the basic rate of income tax by 1p – a measure the party claims will deliver annual savings of £450 for the ‘average working family.’
According to BBC Verify, a 1p reduction in Welsh income tax rates would mean a shortfall exceeding £300 million for the Welsh Government, and the UK Government will not compensate for this loss through its block grant to Wales.
Welsh Conservative leader Darren Millar addressed the Conservative Party Conference at the Manchester Central Convention Complex. Picture date: Sunday October 5, 2025. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Peter Byrne/PA Wire (Image: Peter Byrne)
The party also advocates capping council tax rises at 5 per cent and mandating local referendums for any increases above that threshold.
The NHS
The Conservative manifesto contains substantial commitments regarding the Welsh NHS, spanning support for NHS personnel, enhancing patient outcomes, and improving access to services.
The Welsh Conservatives will issue a ‘health emergency’ declaration and immediately bring back into use closed wards in community hospitals across Wales to facilitate patient rehabilitation nearer to their homes.
They recommend increasing expenditure on health and social care in real terms throughout each year of the next Senedd term, alongside creating an NHS Wales Efficiency Taskforce to guarantee the health service provides value for money.
To enhance healthcare access, the Conservatives intend to establish a 21st Century Hospitals Fund to construct new facilities and modernise the country’s hospital and primary care infrastructure.
The Welsh Conservatives also state they will fully implement the recommendations of the Independent Pay Review Panel concerning NHS pay in Wales.
Education and Young People
The Welsh Conservatives have undertaken to bring back ‘discipline and academic rigour’ to schools, claiming they will be ‘equipping young people with the skills they need to compete in the global jobs market.’
The party intends to establish school covenants between parents, teachers, and pupils to ‘restore discipline and respect’ and ‘improve school attendance.’
They commit to raising standards in Welsh schools by extending unannounced inspections; doing away with the Welsh Baccalaureate; and reintroducing Standardised Assessment Tests (SATs) in primary schools to evaluate pupil and school performance.
End 20mph Speed Limits
In a similar vein to Reform UK, the Welsh Conservatives recommend abolishing the