Plaid Cymru Leader Rhun ap Iorwerth Faces Immediate Senedd Vote for First Minister
Plaid Cymru secured a significant victory in this week's Senedd election, displacing Labour as the largest party in Wales. Leader Rhun ap Iorwerth, speaking to supporters on Saturday, declared his intention to form a Plaid Cymru-only government. This ambition comes despite his group of 43 Members of the Senedd (MSs) being six seats short of a majority.
The immediate task for ap Iorwerth is securing confirmation as First Minister through a Senedd vote. Plaid Cymru aims for this vote to occur on Tuesday, requiring 24 hours' notice from the Senedd's presiding officer. The numbers appear favourable, as Labour's reduced contingent of nine MSs is expected to abstain. Even if the Conservatives, with their 38 seats, aligned with Reform's three MSs, their combined 41 votes would not surpass Plaid Cymru's 43. The Liberal Democrats and Greens have explicitly ruled out supporting Reform.
Prior to selecting a new First Minister, MSs must elect a replacement for Presiding Officer Elin Jones via a secret ballot. Potential candidates include Paul Davies of the Conservatives and Huw Irranca-Davies from Labour. Any delay in this process could impede ap Iorwerth's formal appointment.
Upon assuming office, ap Iorwerth will appoint up to 17 ministers. While specific portfolios remain speculative, the party's February conference outlined a 100-day plan focusing on public services, including an independent review of NHS performance to address substantial waiting lists. Funding these initiatives will require careful financial management, particularly given previous criticisms of Plaid Cymru's spending pledges as uncosted.
A critical challenge for the minority government will be securing annual budget approvals in the Senedd, as failure could result in automatic cuts to Welsh government funding. While Plaid Cymru has deferred an independence referendum in its initial term, it intends to fund a commission to build the case for it. This allocation could prove contentious, with parties like the Liberal Democrats' Jane Dodds having expressed opposition to spending on independence.
Plaid Cymru's election success was largely attributed to a broad coalition of voters aiming to prevent Reform from gaining ground. The party, historically confined to specific regions, now holds representation across Wales, presenting an opportunity to consolidate this expanded support base into a long-term national presence.
