Plaid Cymru pledge NHS 'rebirth' as part of 'a healthier, wealthier Wales' if they win power in 2026

• ITV Cymru Wales' National Correspondent Rob Osborne reports.

The leader of Plaid Cymru has pledged his party would tackle issues in the Welsh NHS if it wins the next Senedd elections in 2026.

Speaking at the party’s conference in Cardiff on Friday, Rhun ap Iorwerth MS said: “For too long, Labour’s priority has been managing people’s pain but I want to keep people healthy.

“I can announce that in the first 100 days of a Plaid Cymru government we will bring forward a new budget, based on the principles of a healthier, wealthier Wales, with a promise that spending on preventative health measures will increase every year.

“No more sticking plaster, no more blaming the individual, no more passing the buck.

“This is grown-up government – taking responsibility, empowering people and protecting the NHS.”

He used his speech to stress that the party could not fix Wales’ issues overnight but insisted they could do better than the current leadership.

He also said Wales cannot afford another 25 years of Labour.

Speaking at the party’s annual conference on Friday, Mr ap Iorwerth said: “Labour’s letting down its own traditional supporters, so many of whom are already embracing Plaid Cymru’s vision.

“Labour’s failing them, failing Wales and failing to understand what it takes to turn things around.

“We can win by demonstrating we are better than this, we’re bolder and not the bystanders that this government have become.

“Be in no doubt – we can win at the ballot box and that must be our goal. This isn’t about winning for us – it’s about winning for Wales.”

The party is celebrating gaining two new MPs in July's UK General Election and hoping momentum will continue in the run-up to the Senedd election in 2026.

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