Let’s set the scene

With just seven months until the Senedd election and a tightly contested by-election in Caerphilly looming, Plaid Cymru’s Annual Conference arrived at a pivotal moment. Delegates gathered in Swansea with a sense of momentum and anticipation, thanks to recent polling indicating a shift in government from May 2026 for the first time since devolution. This year marked a noticeable shift from those that came before, with a noticeable surge in attendance from members, charities, and first-time participants, all keen to engage with what could be the future leadership of Wales.

The conference kicked off with some unexpected drama, with Friday’s two renewable-focused fringes disrupted by a delegate who voiced strong opposition to renewables and was subsequently escorted out. Alongside Saturday’s protest, this incident reflected some of the internal tensions within the party around energy policy. Plaid remains firmly committed to the net zero transition, but the party has been clear that community buy-in is key to these ambitions. The events served as a reminder that Plaid faces a difficult balancing act between its net zero ambitions and the interests of local communities, especially in its rural heartlands.

Rhun ap Iorwerth takes to the stage

As expected, Rhun ap Iorwerth’s speech sought to reach out to disillusioned Welsh voters, driving home the point that Plaid is the only viable, progressive alternative to Labour and pledging to restore public trust. He accused Reform – whom he branded as the “ultra-Conservatives” – of using the Senedd as a “plaything” to gain an “electoral foothold”. He went on to reiterate what he said was the need to free Wales from the “shackles” of a Welsh Labour government. The party leader also dismissed suggestions that Labour is the only party with the experience to govern.

In terms of new pledges, the Leader’s announcement of an extended free childcare commitment, which he identified as a major barrier to parents returning to work, was a hit with the crowd. While the proposal was well received, its five-year rollout means the impact will be gradual.

Rhun ap Iorwerth stuck to his commitment to hold off on the independence vote until after the party’s first term, instead promising to establish a Standing Commission to explore independence. Members later voted on a motion for this commission to engage citizens, research issues of relevance and ultimately prepare a White Paper on an independent Wales. With this clear step-change from his predecessor, Rhun ap Iorwerth appears to have been attempting to strike a balance between appealing to indie sceptics, while not alienating Plaid’s key supporters.

Plaid’s priorities and pledges

In terms of wider pledges, the number of announcements was smaller than some may have expected. On Saturday, Education spokesperson Cefin Campbell set out the party’s new national mission on literacy and numeracy. Besides this, there were few other new announcements – and notably nothing new on the economy, housing or health. Rhun ap Iorwerth did have a line ready to defend this, however. In a Q&A with Llywydd Elin Jones, he reminded naysayers that Plaid has been steadily unveiling pledges over recent months. It is also worth noting that, compared to Wales’ wider parties, Plaid is considerably ahead of the game across both the manifesto development and candidate selection process.

Speaking of candidates, Caerphilly councillor Lindsay Whittle – a top contender in next week’s by-election – took to the stage on Saturday to encourage voters to stand against the “fancy men from London in their posh suits”. Besides the warm welcome and his striking red suit, he spoke of the need to persuade Reform voters on the doorstop, rather than insult them.

But what about big business?

Despite the positive energy throughout this well-attended conference, one absence was hard to ignore: Plaid’s offer for big business and investors. While some large corporates were attending as observers, the party’s agenda leaned heavily toward third sector, public sector and community-based topics, with limited space for corporate engagement – beyond the key players in renewables. Conversations in the margins indicate that Plaid is keen to tell a strong story on the Welsh economy – indicating that, potentially, there’s a clear opportunity for businesses keen to invest in Wales to help the party shape its messaging over the coming months.

Interested in discussing your engagement strategy ahead of next year’s Senedd election? Please contact Grayling’s Public Affairs team in Cardiff or reach out directly to kate.mitchell@grayling.com.