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Plaid promises free childcare if it wins Senedd election

Next year, Plaid Cymru says it is ready to replace Welsh Labour at the next Senedd election, with Rhun ap Iorwerth presenting the party as a government-in-waiting.
With Labour's long dominance now challenged, Plaid Cymru sees an opening as recent polling puts Plaid and Reform UK as the two biggest parties, with Plaid narrowly ahead.
Plaid Cymru's flagship policy is universal free childcare for children aged nine months to four years, costing £800m a year by rollout and saving some families £32,000 over four years.
Plaid Cymru faces voter-switching challenges under a new voting system, while nursery providers warn delivery may be unsustainable despite stakeholder engagement.
Even if Plaid Cymru leads the vote, it may need partnerships in the Senedd as no party has won a majority; it downplays its pro-independence stance to broaden appeal for 2026.

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Plaid Cymru leader calls for ‘progressive alliance’ to tackle ‘populist right’

The leader of Plaid Cymru says the party’s ready to replace Labour in next May’s Senedd elections. Recent polling suggests support for Plaid and Reform is currently some way ahead of Labour – which has led the devolved government for over a quarter of a century. In Swansea for its annual conference, Plaid leader Rhun ap Iorwerth pledged what he said would be the most generous childcare offer in the UK if his party gets to lead the next governmen…

5 days ago·London, United Kingdom

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