Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth has declared his intention to form a minority government in Wales, following a historic election that saw his party secure the largest bloc of seats in the Senedd but fall short of an outright majority.
Victory Speech Outside the Senedd
Speaking on the steps of the Welsh Parliament, Mr ap Iorwerth hailed a "new beginning" for Wales and asserted that no Prime Minister "can cast Wales aside or turn a blind eye to our needs." Plaid Cymru won 43 Members of the Senedd (MSs), the highest number among all parties, but still short of the 60 required for a majority.
During the election campaign, Mr ap Iorwerth had made clear his preference for a minority government if Plaid emerged as the largest party. On Saturday, he confirmed that "we are now in that position" and reiterated his commitment to leading such an administration.
Plaid's Historic Mandate
"Throughout our nation, people have put their faith in Plaid Cymru in numbers never seen before," Mr ap Iorwerth said. "We will do everything we can to repay the faith that people have put in us."
With Reform UK holding 34 seats as the second-largest party, Labour, the Liberal Democrats, and the Greens have all ruled out cooperating with Reform. This makes it unlikely that other parties will unite to block Plaid from forming the government.
Labour, with only nine MSs, would have been the most obvious coalition partner for Plaid to reach a majority. However, Mr ap Iorwerth had campaigned on a platform to "replace" Labour in government, promising "new leadership" for Wales.
A New Beginning for Wales
"It is a new beginning," Mr ap Iorwerth declared. "When we speak with a national voice that is as determined as we have seen in this election, no UK Government, no UK prime minister now or in the future can cast Wales aside or turn a blind eye to our needs."
He pledged to work constructively to pursue what is best for Wales, stating: "We will build this nation every single day, bringing the competence that is needed and the compassion that is needed, the hope that is needed, the belief in what we can be."
As Mr ap Iorwerth concluded his remarks, the crowd of Plaid supporters erupted into singing the Welsh national anthem, "Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau," drowning out the final moments of his press conference.
First Minister Ambitions
Mr ap Iorwerth confirmed he would put his name forward to become the next First Minister of Wales, a position that would make him the first Plaid Cymru MS to hold the title. "We are eager, clearly, to move ahead as quickly as we can towards the First Minister vote," he said. "We are as determined as we can be to hit the ground running. We have made a pledge to make a difference in the lives of the people of Wales, and we want to get down to business as soon as we can."
