Since then, Plaid has struggled to match that breakthrough in devolved elections. From 2011 onwards it has consistently been the third-largest party in the Senedd, behind Welsh Labour \u2013 which has led every government since devolution \u2013 and the Conservatives.<\/p>\n
Even so, the arithmetic of Welsh politics has occasionally worked in Plaid\u2019s favour. The party entered government in coalition with Labour between 2007 and 2011, and more recently struck a co-operation agreement<\/a> from 2021 to 2024. But if Plaid ends up<\/a> leading a government outright after May 7, it would truly set this election apart. <\/p>\n Plaid Cymru\u2019s strategy is to present itself as a credible government-in-waiting. Its focus is less about being a party of protest and more about delivery. In other words, what it would do in office, how it would tackle Wales\u2019s major policy challenges, and how it would represent Welsh interests at Westminster after nearly three decades of Labour dominance.<\/p>\n In February, the party set out its plan<\/a> for its first 100 days in government. This focused on improving healthcare, raising education standards, boosting the economy and reforming government. <\/p>\n Alongside these priorities, its manifesto<\/a> calls for further powers to be devolved to the Senedd. These include greater tax powers, justice and policing<\/a>, rail services and infrastructure, and the Crown Estate<\/a>, which oversees things like the sea bed and mineral rights in much of the countryside. <\/p>\n \n Yet there has also been a noticeable change in tone on the party\u2019s long-term constitutional aims. Our research<\/a> examined how Plaid Cymru covered these issues in the 2021 Senedd election. Compared with five years ago, Welsh independence is significantly less prominent in both its current manifesto and campaign.<\/p>\n The timetable has softened too. There\u2019s no longer a commitment to holding a referendum on independence in its first term of government. Instead, Plaid describes Wales as being \u201con a journey\u201d<\/a> to independence. It has committed to producing a policy on Welsh independence but with no referendum timeframe. <\/p>\n By downplaying its long-term constitutional ambitions in this way, and focusing on the more immediate policy challenges facing Wales, Plaid Cymru is approaching this Senedd election as many other pro-independence parties have done across Europe. A similar strategy<\/a> helped the Scottish National Party win power in 2007 and remain in government for the next 19 years.<\/p>\n Strong polling does not guarantee power, however, and Plaid faces several obstacles. Opponents continue to highlight its commitment to independence. <\/p>\n Support for independence among the Welsh public remains relatively low \u2013 only 26% of respondents in a recent YouGov poll<\/a> agreed that Wales should be an independent country. Plaid\u2019s challenge is to persuade sceptical voters that this isn\u2019t the most important issue in Wales for the next four years. <\/p>\n \n Positioning itself for power<\/h2>\n
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\n Plaid Cymru plans to share wind farm profits with local people \u2013 here\u2019s how that idea has been tried elsewhere<\/a>
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\nFrom polling strength to political power<\/h2>\n
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\n Voters in Wales face Senedd election amid confusion over who holds power over what<\/a>
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