Reform Calls for Full Cost Transparency Ahead of Senedd Election
Reform has issued a challenge to all major parties to publish the complete costs of their policy promises prior to next week's Senedd election.
None of the six larger parties have released comprehensive details, with independent analysts criticizing the lack of transparency regarding the funding of manifesto pledges.
During BBC Wales' Your Voice Live: The Leaders' Debate, Reform's Dan Thomas stated he would publish his party's plans if other parties did the same.
Labour's Eluned Morgan and Darren Millar expressed willingness to disclose their costings, while Plaid Cymru's Rhun ap Iorwerth noted that his party had published "many of the costings." Green Party's Anthony Slaughter indicated that some costings had been revealed, whereas Liberal Democrat Jane Dodds declined, stating her plans were based on "ambition."
Voters in Wales will elect 96 Senedd members from 16 constituencies on Thursday, 7 May.
The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) has indicated that the incoming Welsh government will face significant financial constraints, with a marked slowdown in both day-to-day funding and investment growth.
Experts warn that many manifesto pledges may necessitate tax increases or reductions in public services.
In the sometimes tense live BBC1 television debate, calls for leaders to fully publish their spending plans were met with applause from the studio audience.
The leader of Reform UK in Wales, Dan Thomas, challenged all panel leaders to publish their costings, stating:
"I challenge every leader on this panel to publish your costings. Ours are ready to go so we can have a full transparent election."
Welsh Conservative leader Darren Millar said he was "quite happy" to answer questions on costings and added:
"And I'll tell you what, if everybody else publishes theirs I'll be very happy to publish ours."
Welsh Labour leader and First Minister Eluned Morgan commented:
"You know, I think it's all very transparent [Labour's pledges]. I'm happy to show you what we've got and listen to what we've got."
Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth remarked:
"We have published many of the costings, because it's really important that people can see how we put together a programme for government."
Wales Green Party leader Anthony Slaughter said some of his party's plans had been costed, citing examples:
"So that's things like a rent freeze leading to rent controls. That's things like free bus travel for under 22s, £1 for everyone else."
Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Jane Dodds declined to publish her spending plans, stating:
"I am being as honest as I can and it's a no, because our manifesto is about ambition and aspiration. We want to influence government, I'm not going to be first minister on the eighth of May."
