PCS responds to Senedd results

The election has brought change—and with it an opportunity to set a new direction for Wales: one built on fair work, properly funded services, and decisions made with workers, not done to them.

Due to the cost-of-living crisis, many public service workers struggle to provide food for their family and pay their bills. We hear these stories every day in workplaces the length and breadth of Wales — it’s why workers join and organise together. 

It is also the political ground on which Reform UK is trying to grow.

We have seen the political landscape in Wales change beyond recognition: where Labour once held the heartlands of the Valleys, the back yard of Keir Hardie and Nye Bevan is now seeing Senedd members from Plaid Cymru and Reform UK. 

Since the start of devolution, we have seen 27 years of Welsh Labour rule. That all came crashing down. Welsh Labour has imploded, losing all but 9 of its seats, with the first minister being one of those who lost, and all on an average turn out of over 50% - the largest ever in a Senedd election. 

UK Reform gaining 34 seats across Wales sends a signal that voters are disillusioned with the establishment parties. It ran a campaign based on immigration, tax cuts, scrapping the 20mph speed limit and getting rid of Wales Nation of Sanctuary status, which has resonated with voters. 

It is a party opposed to workers’ rights, and that will be apparent once in opposition.

The Green party has won its first two seats ever in the Senedd, running a campaign manifesto on taxing the super-rich, opposing nuclear power and investment in the clean green energy sector, a just transition for heavy industry and properly investing in public services - all of which align to the PCS Cymru manifesto.

Plaid Cymru, after 27 years of being the party in opposition, today became the party with the majority, with 43 Senedd members. It doesn't have a majority to govern alone, so will be reliant on other political parties to support it in getting budgets and policies through the Senedd.

Plaid’s campaign ran on a forward-thinking progressive agenda on public services, which strongly aligns with PCS Cymru’s manifesto in a number of policy areas. Notably, this included better funding for Wales, equalities, the devolution of justice and the Crown Estate, addressing the climate emergency, and the need for a social security alternative for Wales. In addition, Plaid Cymru support the devolution of greater taxation powers to Wales (including the ability to set income tax bands and the introduction of a vacant land tax) and have a solid commitment to the culture sector with a year-on-year increase for the culture budget.

Plaid Cymru will inevitably form the next Welsh government. How it will work with other parties will emerge over the next days and weeks, but it must do all it can to recognise and reward dedicated civil and public servants across Wales. 

Working in social partnership, it should expand Fair Work across the sector – including to those parts currently out-sourced - with a view to insourcing.  Public money belongs in public services, not shareholder dividends.

A strong worker voice with social partnership should be something members feel in every workplace in the public sector. Workers should shape the services they run to protect and future-proof public services—through social partnership, fair pay and local workforce investment. 

Devolution means little if Welsh workers’ pay is still decided somewhere else.

PCS Cymru is ready to work with the incoming government for the next Senedd terms - but our members will judge success by real improvements on pay, staffing, equality, and the quality of services people rely on. The message is simple: invest in the workforce, listen through social partnership, and deliver fair work in every publicly funded workplace.

This article is published in English but can be translated easily into Welsh using the Recite Me toolbar on this website.