Senedd Election 2026

[Dorcus]

Re: Senedd Election 2026

I avoid drinking in establishments that don't accept the Titan.

Bugger! I must admit you lost me there! I shall have to Google Titan now

[Hilts]

Re: Senedd Election 2026

You haven't read their manifesto for the elections yet Hilts!

I despise their rhetoric. I have no intention of reading it.

[JamesWales]

Re: Senedd Election 2026

I despise their rhetoric. I have no intention of reading it.

Hating something is always easier that way I guess!

[jon1959]

Re: Senedd Election 2026

Hating something is always easier that way I guess!

So are you saying we should always read a political party’s manifesto if we want to understand what they will do, and how they will behave, if they gain power?

[Dorcus]

Re: Senedd Election 2026

So are you saying we should always read a political party’s manifesto if we want to understand what they will do, and how they will behave, if they gain power?

And, by the way, like the Labour Party's and a few other manifestos bearing nothing like what was proposed when power is achieved?

[JamesWales]

Re: Senedd Election 2026

So are you saying we should always read a political party’s manifesto if we want to understand what they will do, and how they will behave, if they gain power?

Hardly a bad idea is it? Certainly worthwhile as part of forming an opinion on something

[City123]

Re: Senedd Election 2026

No one is going to admit they are voting for Reform.

That's what people said before the by election in Caerphilly

And Plaid beat them pretty comfortably

Reform are totally unpalatable to a large section of the population

[SLUDGE FACTORY]

Re: Senedd Election 2026

That's what people said before the by election in Caerphilly

And Plaid beat them pretty comfortably

Reform are totally unpalatable to a large section of the population

Its great to see reform on the back foot

But I think the votes moving towards plaid are in a fair proportion not pro independence votes and too much nationalistic drumming and thumping will see much of that support fade away

I would urge caution

[JamesWales]

Re: Senedd Election 2026

Rhun ap Iorwerth has proven to be a very good leader of Plaid tbh. I've been surprised, I thought Adam Price was good but he didn't seem to take people with him. Leanne Wood was useless, and unpleasant and prone to conflict too. Rhun ap Iorwerth is the total opposite.

He's done well to totally park the independence bus full in the knowledge that anyone for whom that is important is in the bag anyway. He can then pivot in other directions to take votes from disaffected Labour voters as well as those not ready to consider Tories again. I think they've done well to sweep up the idealistic youth vote too, and all the while avoid criticisms of being in power that can be thrown at Tories, Labour and SNP

I don't think they will win to the extent this poll says they will, and I think they will increasingly be scrutinized and rightly so, but you have to acknowledge their rise and what a quiet but effective operator the leader is.

[the other bob wilson]

Re: Senedd Election 2026

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/feb/01/wales-independence-plaid-cymru-green-coalition-reform-cardiff-caerphilly-byelection

[SLUDGE FACTORY]

Re: Senedd Election 2026

I think unless starmer is lynched after the May hammerings thats the end of labour locally and nationally

Uk wide unless there is new direction or a green led progressive grouping ......and I have my doubts about polanski and a lot of their policies ....then reform are going to win the next general election

20 seats from welsh labour wont be going down the M4 to save him

[goats]

Re: Senedd Election 2026

Looks as if Labour are going to plummet akin to how the Tories have, wouldn’t be surprised to see them split apart too. Isn’t Corbyn still trying to set up an ultra left wing party? Each election these days is just a mass protest to get rid of current incumbents almost with no regard who takes over, as long as there is a change no one cares? I mean a manifesto is pointless apparently so what difference does it make anymore?

[JamesWales]

Re: Senedd Election 2026

https://www.theguardian.com/politics...lly-byelection

As with all guardian articles the conclusion is obvious before the article begins, but there is a few key omissions here.

1 / it wasn't really a "fightback against Reform". It was a Labour seat since time began. Reform were expected to do well, and they did, hugely increasing their seat but the article doesn't focus much on why people turned from Labour.

Plaid actually only increased their vote share by 19%, Reform by 34%, whilst Labour were down by 35% and Tories by 15%. The story here was about two different parties beating the two established ones really.

2 / the graffiti "now you can **** off home" comes in the context of Plaid trying to paint Reform as coming from England. In that sense it is pretty sinister in some respects. Certainly would be in any other context. Add to that the accusations of violence and death threats against Llyr Powell. 100% the guardian would have mentioned these were it against other candidates.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cze6z332326o

3 / I think it's true the campaign did seem to shift, and for me I sensed it in the BBC debate, which was actually quite good. A woman in the audience accused Llyr Powell (with no evidence) of being racist. Conspiracy theorists accused her of being a plant, but it worked and the clips went viral. Surprise surprise she now stands as a Plaid candidate. A coincidence I am sure!

https://nation.cymru/news/mother-who-went-viral-after-by-election-debate-to-stand-as-community-councillor-for-plaid-cymru/

The single biggest issue was always the Plaid candidate, who was excellent and well deserving of his win.

As for the guardian, I truly do not think it's readers want the truth, I think they want confirmation, sadly. It's not alone in that of course, but it is one of the worst examples in my opinion.

[the other bob wilson]

Re: Senedd Election 2026

As with all guardian articles the conclusion is obvious before the article begins, but there is a few key omissions here.

1 / it wasn't really a "fightback against Reform". It was a Labour seat since time began. Reform were expected to do well, and they did, hugely increasing their seat but the article doesn't focus much on why people turned from Labour.

Plaid actually only increased their vote share by 19%, Reform by 34%, whilst Labour were down by 35% and Tories by 15%. The story here was about two different parties beating the two established ones really.

2 / the graffiti "now you can **** off home" comes in the context of Plaid trying to paint Reform as coming from England. In that sense it is pretty sinister in some respects. Certainly would be in any other context. Add to that the accusations of violence and death threats against Llyr Powell. 100% the guardian would have mentioned these were it against other candidates.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cze6z332326o

3 / I think it's true the campaign did seem to shift, and for me I sensed it in the BBC debate, which was actually quite good. A woman in the audience accused Llyr Powell (with no evidence) of being racist. Conspiracy theorists accused her of being a plant, but it worked and the clips went viral. Surprise surprise she now stands as a Plaid candidate. A coincidence I am sure!

https://nation.cymru/news/mother-who-went-viral-after-by-election-debate-to-stand-as-community-councillor-for-plaid-cymru/

The single biggest issue was always the Plaid candidate, who was excellent and well deserving of his win.

As for the guardian, I truly do not think it's readers want the truth, I think they want confirmation, sadly. It's not alone in that of course, but it is one of the worst examples in my opinion.

Yeah, but, luckily, I don’t take too much notice of your opinion when it comes to the Guardian just like you wouldnt take much notice of mine when it came to the Daily Mail.

[JamesWales]

Re: Senedd Election 2026

Yeah, but, luckily, I don’t take too much notice of your opinion when it comes to the Guardian just like you wouldnt take much notice of mine when it came to the Daily Mail.

I do take notice of your opinion actually.

Any thoughts on those issues that the journalist chose to leave out?

If the death threats and arguably xenophobic graffiti was from Reform supporters to Plaid do you think she would have included them?