Image Source: Welsh Liberal Democrats
Health & Social Care
The only major “general” health policy is a proposed new agreement on cross-border care to cut delays.
The Lib Dems promise capital investment to repair and upgrade hospitals, particularly University Hospital Cardiff and Withybush Hospital.
Like other parties, they support rural diagnostic and day surgery hubs.
They would want to guarantee that all cancer patients start treatment within 62 days of referral, and would create 5,000 nursing care placements in hospitals to address “corridor care”.
There’s a general pledge to train more GPs.
The Lib Dems also want to guarantee access to NHS dentistry for anyone needing urgent or emergency care.
The Lib Dems want a stronger focus on early intervention and prevention, particularly to prevent falls, lower dementia risks, and address social isolation.
The Lib Dems would seek to raise professional recognition and standards for social care workers and improve unpaid carers’ rights.
This would be backed by placing a new duty on the NHS and councils to prepare plans for people expected to need long-term support for disabilities from the age of 14.
They would like to see mental health on an equal footing as physical health, with increased funding (and improved access to) Children’s & Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAHMS).
Education & Childcare
They would increase school funding per pupil above the rate of inflation each year. Investment in school buildings and new schools would continue, while the Lib Dems would continue to provide free school meals to eligible children during school holidays.
The School Organisation Code will be updated to ensure at least one Welsh-medium and one English-medium point of education within 1 hour’s drive in rural areas (30 mins urban) by 2035.
Children at risk of disengagement in education will be identified at age 14 for early intervention and career support.
The Lib Dems want to ensure every young person leaving secondary education has an offer of further or higher education, an apprenticeship, or a traineeship.
They support the creation of regional technical and skills hubs, expanded degree apprenticeships (including at postgraduate level) and “deepening connections” between colleges and universities to address skills shortages.
The Lib Dems support existing student finance policies, though they would seek to reintroduce maintenance grants on top of existing student loans.
Like other parties, they would extend free childcare to start at 9 months.
They would also develop a career strategy for early years staff and increase support for younger children with Additional Learning Needs.
Economy & Transport
The Lib Dems are the only party proposing to increase the Welsh Rate of Income Tax by 1% to fund social care. Alongside this, they would seek full devolution of income tax powers in line with Scotland.
They would permanently extend business rates relief to retail, leisure and hospitality sectors. Also, they would freeze the business rates multiplier, alongside more regular reviews of business rates relief.
Elsewhere, they would consider introducing an Online Sales Levy of 2% for large online retailers.
The Lib Dems want an Industrial Strategy focused on entrepreneurship, innovation and manufacturing.
They would introduce a £400 million town centres fund to invest in high street improvements. They also support increased capital funding for “growing” and “innovative” businesses.
Looking longer-term, the Lib Dems support UK membership of the EU’s Customs Union as the first step towards fully rejoining the Single Market.
Like other parties, they would change procurement rules to support Wales-based businesses. They also support every home and business being able to access gigabit broadband.
They would continue concessionary fares for the under-25s. They would also draft a new Active Travel Strategy.
There’s a focus on mid-Wales and rural areas, with the Lib Dems pledging to lobby the UK Government to add rural Wales to the Rural Fuel Duty Scheme.
On rail, the Lib Dems want hourly rail services on the Cambrian Line, electrification of the north and south Wales mainlines and further service improvements on the Heart of Wales line.
They would also seek to put Cardiff Airport on “a fair playing field” with regional airports in England (partially through the devolution of Air Passenger Duty).
Environment, Energy & Rural Affairs
The Lib Dems would increase funding for Natural Resources Wales to monitor pollution.
Alongside a new water regulator, there would be a ban on discharging raw sewage into waterways, with a ban on water director bonuses until discharges end. New blue flag standards would be brought in for waterways too.
A Wildlife Act would be introduced to protect animals.
There’s a general preference for nature-based solutions to climate change, with the Lib Dems promising a new coastal erosion strategy.
When it comes to the planning system, the Lib Dems would speed up change-of-use permissions for commercial buildings.
They would introduce a 10-year emergency home energy efficiency upgrade programme.
The Lib Dems support the Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon, offshore wind projects, and are willing to pilot green hydrogen projects. They also support a ban on fracking and would protect funding for small hydroelectric projects.
They support UK-wide “zonal energy pricing”, with existing renewable projects taken off expensive legacy contracts. The Lib Dems also want to ensure solar panels are installed on all new homes, large buildings and in car parks.
In principle, the Lib Dems support the Sustainable Farming Scheme and would invest an additional £50 million a year to support “nature-friendly” farming.
They support the establishment of young farmer cooperatives and farming mentorship programmes, alongside stronger labelling protections for Welsh produce.
There would be a National Food Strategy, focusing on food security and food poverty, as well as an assurance that future trade deals meet high welfare and environmental standards.
Communities, Housing & Local Government
The only significant local government policy is to “tackle the road repair backlog“.
They would build 30,000 new social homes and aim to end rough sleeping.
As well as changing planning rules to encourage more housing in town centres, the Lib Dems support leasehold reform and would ensure all new homes are offered as either freehold or commonhold.
They support a Community Right to Buy.
On rights, they would seek to enshrine the UN Convention on the Rights of the Disabled into Welsh law.
They also support a UK-wide consensus on gender ID.
The Lib Dems oppose a single national police force for Wales and would seek to halt the use of facial recognition technology by Welsh police forces.
Culture & Country
The Lib Dems support St. David’s Day being a bank holiday.
There are pledges to invest more money into grassroots sports facilities and to safeguard swimming pools and leisure centres.
There’s also a policy to ensure the long-term stability of regional and local rugby clubs.
The Lib Dems would introduce a Welsh Language Education Act. They would ensure all school-leavers are confident using Welsh and English.
They would increase funding to councils to cover additional costs associated with developing new Welsh-medium schools in areas currently not served by one.
There’s a general commitment to ensuring public services, health and care services are available in the Welsh language.
The Lib Dems back Single Transferable Vote (STV) at Senedd and local elections.
On further powers, they would seek devolution of all remaining powers recommended by the Silk Commission. These include rail infrastructure, criminal justice & policing, broadcasting, air passenger duty and Crown Estate.
They back Barnett Formula reform, as well as restricting the power of the UK Parliament to make laws in devolved policy areas or change the Senedd’s powers.
They oppose any Welsh Government spending on preparatory work for independence.
Overall Ranking
Each area is marked out of 5, giving a total score out of 20.
Costings
Do they explain how much their policies would cost and where the money would come from?
0/5
This election has been a shambles when trying to figure out if any of the parties can afford their manifesto commitments. The Lib Dems are no different. They clearly know how much some of their policies would cost (such as the town centre fund). They’re the only party planning to raise income tax, yet couldn’t even be bothered to tell us how much it would raise, and whether it would cover the cost of their social care plans. So they get a 0 instead of a 1/5 for that.
Clarity
How easy is their manifesto to understand? Do they make it clear what they want to do?
4/5
It’s easy enough to understand. In fact, it might be a bit too easy. This was clearly drafted to appeal to a very specific group where they expect some success (rural mid Wales), and if so they probably pulled it off.
Practicality
Do they explain how they would deliver their promises in any detail? Do they say how long they would take?
2/5
It’s lightweight. Some commitments have thought behind them. Others are vague or throwaway one-sentence policy ideas with no detailed plans, timescales or obvious budgets.”Yes and ho.” As a starting point for coalition or budget agreements, it’s fine; as a programme for government, it’s terrible.
Devo-Compatibility
Does the Senedd have the power to deliver their manifesto promises?
4/5
The vast majority of the proposals lie within the Senedd’s powers. They make it clear where they would want extra powers, or where “Lib Dems in Westminster” (one MP from Wales) would argue their case. Some policies may be outside the Senedd’s competence, such as an online sales levy.
OVERALL SCORE
10/20
In an election which has seen six fairly underwhelming manifestos, the Lib Dems are very much in step with the rest of the crowd. This isn’t a serious plan for an incoming government, and it would be wrong to expect that from the Lib Dems. My interpretation is that – much like the Greens – this is an early draft of a coalition/budget deal negotiation. In that light, it’s fine.
TL;DR: What stands out?
The Lib Dems Big Five Pledges
- Raise the Welsh rate of income tax by 1p to fund social care.
- Increase spending per pupil in real terms each year until 2030.
- £400 million town centres fund.
- 5,000 nursing placements in hospitals to address “corridor care”.
- They oppose any Welsh Government spending on preparation work for Welsh independence.
Five Unique Policies
- They’re the only party pledging to increase income tax. Even if there are no numbers, is it also a rare bit of honesty on public finances?
- The Lib Dems are the only party to mention coastal erosion.
- Surprisingly, they’re the only party that mentions the crisis in regional rugby.
- They’ve come out in opposition to an all-Wales police force.
- They’re the only party mentioning zonal pricing for energy.
Five Quirks
- They’ve gone comically big on opposing independence. Calm down.
- Despite that, they’re largely in lockstep with Plaid Cymru and the Greens on what powers they would like to see devolved to Wales. They’re even quite bullish on ensuring the UK Parliament & Government can’t interfere in devolved affairs.
- They set a target for universal access to gigabit broadband, not just “high speed” broadband. Is that doable yet? Are they looking towards satellite
- technology?
- I would’ve expected more from them on education and universities.
Five Bullshit Alarms
- The lack of detail. If Plaid offered too much information in some respects (which verges on waffling), the Lib Dems did the opposite.
- Wales probably doesn’t have the power to introduce an online sales levy.
- It’s unclear whether Wales has the powers for their plans on water boss bonuses either.
- It’s always a risk when a politician says they want to permanently fix a tax or tax relief (in this case, business rates relief for certain types of business) without demonstrating they can afford it.
- There’s seemingly no target date for the 30,000 social homes pledge to be fulfilled.
Common Ground
What key policy plans do the Lib Dems share with the other main parties?
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Labour
Health & Social Care
- Both support a replacement for Heath hospital.
- New surgical hubs.
- Improving access to NHS dentistry.
- Improved standards/professionalism in the social care sector.
Education & Childcare
- Funding for repairs to the school estate.
- Both support existing student finance arrangements.
- Both support extending free childcare from 9 months old.
Economy & Transport
- Both want a new Industrial Strategy.
- Support for expanding high-speed broadband.
Environment, Energy & Rural Affairs
- Improved water quality measures and a new water regulator.
- Expanded/extended home energy efficiency retrofitting.
- New homes should have renewable energy as standard (though the Lib Dems are more specific and go a bit further).
- Both support the Sustainable Farming Scheme.
- Increasing the amount of food procured from Wales-based producers.
Communities & Local Government
- Both support a Community Right to Buy.
- In principle, both support leasehold reform.
- Support the conversion of empty high street buildings.
Culture & Country
- Both support Barnett Formula reform.
- Both support the devolution of the Crown Estate.
Conservatives
Health & Social Care
- Measures to deal with “corridor care” (though the Lib Dems are more specific).
- Both want to modernise the hospital estate/have a hospital estates fund.
- Both support surgical hubs.
- Increasing access to NHS dentistry.
- Improvements to mental health services for young people
Education & Childcare
- Increase school funding.
- Support measures to maintain Welsh and English-medium school choices (though they differ on how/why).
- Extending free childcare to start at 9 months.
Economy & Transport
- Support business rates reform and extended relief (though they differ on the exact format).
- Both support electrification of the North Wales mainline.
Environment, Energy & Rural Affairs
- Both want to increase spending on agriculture (though they differ on the amounts).
Communities & Local Government
- Both support leasehold reform.
- Both support a form of Community Right to Buy.
Culture & Country
- Supports a St. David’s Day bank holiday.
Plaid Cymru
Health & Social Care
- In principle, both want health boards to collaborate more (though the Lib Dems are more focused on cross border care).
- Support for surgical hubs.
- Support for stronger measures around cancer treatment.
- Improving access to NHS dentistry.
- Extra support/recognition for unpaid carers.
Education & Childcare
- Both want closer working between schools, colleges and employers/closure of skill gaps.
- Both oppose restrictions on international students (though they differ on what).
- Support for free childcare starting from 9 months.
Economy & Transport
- Both want full devolution of income tax.
- Supporting extra procurement from Wales-based businesses.
- Both want closer alignment with EU rules.
- Keeping existing concessionary bus fares for young people.
- Lobby the UK Government to extend Rural Fuel Duty Relief to Wales.
- Some form of strategy to support Cardiff Airport.
Environment, Energy & Rural Affairs
- A new water regulator and measures to address water pollution.
- In principle, both support the Sustainable Farming Scheme.
- Both back some form of National Food Strategy.
Communities & Local Government
Both support some form of leasehold reform.
Support for a Community Right to Buy.
Culture & Country
- Extending Welsh language rights in public services, in principle.
- Both want STV for Senedd and local elections.
- Despite the Lib Dems' clear opposition to independence, both are largely in step on which powers they would like to see devolved to Wales.
- Both want Barnett Formula reform.
Reform UK
Health & Social Care
- Support for surgical hubs.
- A capital programme for hospital modernisation.
- Improving access to NHS dentistry.
Education & Childcare
- Both want improvements to technical training.
Economy & Transport
- Both support a review of business rates.
- Supporting extra procurement from Wales-based businesses.
Environment, Energy & Rural Affairs
- Both want legal measures to reduce water pollution.
- Support for a food strategy.
Communities & Local Government
- Both want targeted improvements in town centres/high streets.
Culture & Country
- Support for investment in local sports facilities.
Greens
Health & Social Care
- Measures to deal with corridor care (though the Lib Dems are more specific).
- Improved access to NHS dental services.
- Improvements to mental health support for young people.
Education & Childcare
- Improvements to technical training (though the Greens are more specific).
- Support for improved student maintenance.
- Extending free childcare to start at 9 months.
Economy & Transport
- Increase procurement from Wales-based businesses.
- Backing for rail electrification.
Environment, Energy & Rural Affairs
- Measures to protect biodiversity.
- Solar for all new buildings.
- Both support the Sustainable Farming Scheme and the principle of linking farm funding to environmental targets.
Communities & Local Government
- Both support leasehold reform.
- Both support a Community Right to Buy.
Culture & Country
- Supports St. David's Day being a bank holiday.
- They are generally in line on what additional powers they would like devolved to Wales.
- Both support Barnett Formula reform.
Senedd 2026
