Rhun ap Iorwerth Highlights Plaid Cymru's Path to Outperform Reform UK
Rhun ap Iorwerth, leader of Plaid Cymru, has asserted that only his party can secure more seats than Reform UK in the upcoming Senedd election scheduled for 7 May. He characterized the election as a "two-horse race," emphasizing the necessity for one party to outpace Reform.
Polling data has consistently indicated that Plaid Cymru and Reform UK are competing to become the largest party in Wales' parliament following the election. The electoral process employs a proportional voting system designed to ensure that the number of Members of the Senedd (MSs) elected from each party closely reflects their share of the vote.
In an interview with BBC Wales as part of a series featuring senior party figures ahead of the election, ap Iorwerth stated:
"What I have to make sure is that Plaid Cymru is that largest party after this election.
"I am doing everything I can in these last few days to make it clear to people how important it is that Plaid Cymru does beat Reform.
"One party has to be bigger than Reform - it can only be Plaid Cymru."
Concerns Over Reform UK Leading and Government Formation
Ap Iorwerth's message also addresses concerns about a potentially contentious outcome where Reform UK emerges as the largest party but is blocked from forming the Welsh government by left-wing parties in the Senedd. Former Labour First Minister Mark Drakeford recently indicated that left-wing parties would unite to prevent Reform from governing if it wins the most seats.
Reform's Welsh leader, Dan Thomas, has warned of a possible post-election "stitch-up" aimed at excluding his party from power. Responding to this, ap Iorwerth reiterated:
"We have to make sure that one party is bigger than Reform, that can only be Plaid Cymru.
"That's a compelling tactical message, but I want people to make a positive decision to vote Plaid Cymru too."
Commitment to Public Sector Pay Increases
During the interview, ap Iorwerth also assured that public sector workers in Wales would receive an annual pay rise if Plaid Cymru forms the government after the election. This statement comes amid recent claims by Welsh Labour leader and current First Minister Eluned Morgan, who suggested that Plaid would need to freeze wages to fund policies such as universal free childcare for children aged nine months to four years.
When asked whether public sector workers would receive yearly pay increases under a Plaid government, ap Iorwerth responded:
"Yes... We know what the sums are, and we have, as you would imagine, taken into account the need to make sure that we look after our workforce."
