Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth has announced his party will seek to form a minority government in Wales, following a historic election that saw Plaid win the largest bloc in the Senedd but fall short of an outright majority.
Speaking outside the Welsh Parliament in Cardiff on Saturday, Mr ap Iorwerth hailed a "new beginning" for Wales and declared that no Prime Minister "can cast Wales aside or turn a blind eye to our needs." The party secured 43 seats in the 60-member Senedd, making it the largest party but still needing support from other groups to govern.
During the election campaign, Mr ap Iorwerth had stated his preference for a minority government if Plaid emerged as the largest party. On Saturday, he confirmed that position, saying, "It is clear now we are in that position." He added, "Throughout our nation, people have put their faith in Plaid Cymru in numbers never seen before, and we will do everything we can to repay that faith."
The prospect of other parties forming a coalition to block Plaid appears unlikely. Labour, the Liberal Democrats, and the Greens have all ruled out working with Reform UK, which became the second-largest party with 34 MSs. Labour, with only nine MSs, would have been a plausible coalition partner for Plaid to reach a majority, but Mr ap Iorwerth had campaigned on a platform to "replace" Labour in government.
In his victory speech, Mr ap Iorwerth emphasised a new direction for Wales. "It is a new beginning," he said. "No UK Government, no UK prime minister now or in the future can cast Wales aside or turn a blind eye to our needs. We will work constructively to seek what is right for Wales. We will build this nation every single day, bringing the competence, compassion, hope, and belief that things can be better."
The event concluded with supporters singing the Welsh national anthem, Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau, as Mr ap Iorwerth confirmed he would put his name forward to become the next First Minister of Wales. If successful, he would be the first Plaid Cymru member to hold the office. "We are eager to move ahead as quickly as we can towards the First Minister vote," he said. "We are determined to hit the ground running and make a difference in the lives of the people of Wales."
Among the crowd was Siwan Jones, granddaughter of party co-founder Saunders Lewis, who described the day as "unbelievable" and "emotional." She said, "It’s so important to unite the nation now. It’s a new beginning with new values and direction. Rhun ap Iorwerth has brought so many different factions together across Wales."
