Image Source: Reform UK
Health & Social Care
Whilst explicitly saying they would keep the NHS “free at the point of use” (technically, that doesn’t mean they can’t charge you after using it), Reform proposes that illegal migrants would only be eligible for emergency NHS care.
To raise standards, Reform proposes introducing performance-related pay for health board leaders, alongside increased ministerial powers to intervene in the NHS.
Reform also wants to modernise NHS Wales’ digital infrastructure. Proposals include: NHS Wales app modernisation, standardised IT systems, and a national electronic patient record system. They also propose a performance dashboard to improve accountability.
On health policy, Reform supports separate men’s and women’s health strategies. Also, unspecified measures to promote exercise and healthy weight “without mandating nanny state policies”.
There’s a focus on cancer. Reform proposes a 10-year cancer survival strategy, and also backs a Wales-wide standard for freezing brain tumour tissue for use in treatment (aka “Owain’s Law”).
Reform isn’t the only party backing the idea of rapid diagnostic and surgical hubs. They also want to review community hospital bed capacity to provide extra “step-down” places to address bed-blocking. They also want to increase the number of consultant training posts in shortage specialities.
On hospital maintenance, they propose an audit of hospital estates and an unspecified multi-year capital funding programme for hospital modernisation.
They also propose that self-ID transpeople will no longer be able to access single-sex wards.
Reform wants to change how GPs are funded to take into account levels of poverty and rural healthcare settings. They also want to change the dental contract so NHS dentistry is “financially viable”.
Like some other parties, they support community pharmacies providing more clinical services to take pressure off GPs. They also propose recruiting extra health visitors for rural areas.
Like other parties, Reform supports closer integration between health and social care.
On mental health, they want to expand early intervention to “reduce crisis demand”.
Education & Childcare
Reform supports Blairite reforms introduced in England (but long rejected in Wales), including the establishment of Academy and free schools and the (re)introduction of school league tables.
There’s a focus on discipline, including a ban on mobile phones in schools, stronger school attendance measures, and giving teachers more powers to enforce discipline “fairly, firmly and consistently”.
Ideologically, Reform would raise the age to receive “explicit” sex education and opposes gender ID being taught in schools.
Emotional support staff are officially “woke”, and Reform would instead hire more speech and language therapists.
In addition to a promise to cut unnecessary paperwork for teachers, there’s a pledge to review the Additional Learning Needs system. This would be to ensure mainstream school teachers don’t manage complex needs with specialist support.
Reform would change the Curriculum for Wales to place greater emphasis on core subjects like maths, science and PE. They also back phonics-based teaching of reading.
They would seek to put vocational and academic subjects on an equal footing and seek to expand technical education and apprenticeships (without specifics).
They also don’t like the WJEC, pledging to end the WJEC’s “de facto monopoly” on providing qualifications in Wales.
The only major change Reform supports – backed by other parties – is establishing a Dental School at Bangor University. The irony there is they also want to protect “lawful speech” on university campuses, threatening to withdraw public funding from universities that don’t comply (Reform having recently had a run-in with Bangor University).
They want to maintain tuition fees in line with England and generally ensure university courses “provide value for money”.
There are no big plans for childcare, other than using health visitors to improve “school readiness” (i.e. toilet training) amongst children starting school.
Economy & Transport
Reform pledges to cut all rates of Welsh income tax by 1p in the pound before the end of the term (2030).
They rule out introducing new taxes or levies and want to scrap the overnight visitor levy (aka tourist tax).
As well as undertaking a review of business rates (particularly for the hospitality and tourism sectors), they would campaign for a VAT cut for the hospitality sector.
Reform would have dedicated ministers for Industry and Tourism.
They want to speed up payments from public bodies, requiring public invoices to be settled within 30 days.
On tourism, Reform would also seek to lower the 182-day occupancy rule for tourist lets (though don’t say to what level), and also make Visit Wales independent of the Welsh Government.
They would seek to work with the UK Government to protect the steel industry in Wales (but don’t say to what extent or how).
Reform promises to reverse the 20 mph default in built-up areas and 50 mph average speed limits on motorways and trunk roads.
They are opposed to any pay-per-mile road pricing (which is being explored by the UK Government).
Reform promises to build the M4 Newport bypass. This would be alongside upgrades to the A55 and A470 (though they don’t say where or how).
Reform would increase rail capacity by buying more carriages. They are also opposed to public funding for Cardiff Airport, promising to review Cardiff Airport’s viability “prior to making a decision about its future”.
Environment, Energy & Rural Affairs
Reform strongly opposes “Net Zero” measures, promising to scrap them as public policy. This includes the repeal of the Environment Act 2016 and the abolition of Natural Resources Wales.
One bit of the environment they do want to improve is rivers, promising a Welsh Rivers Act to improve water quality. They want to invest more money (they don’t say how much) into flood defences and coal tip cleanups. They also want fly-tipping to be a higher enforcement priority for local councils.
They support the UK Government’s approach to deposit return (Wales wants to include glass, the UK doesn’t). They also rule out banning or licensing the release of game birds for shooting.
On planning, Reform wants to make the planning application process faster.
Reform are generally opposed to renewable energy. They support a ban on new solar and onshore wind farms, support the use of gas for energy and home heating, and also oppose any ban on off-grid heating methods (like LPG).
Reform also wants to scale back subsidies for home energy efficiency schemes to low-income households only and withdraw public funding for heat pumps.
They support the principle of burying new power lines, and also back new nuclear energy projects at Wylfa and Trawsfynydd.
Reform would phase out the Sustainable Farming Scheme and replace it with a new system which makes the environmental elements voluntary.
They would scrap the all-Wales Nitrate Vulnerable Zone and replace it with targeted measures. Reform also doesn’t rule out wildlife culls to control Bovine TB. Reform promises more funding for Young Farmers’ Clubs and more relaxed planning rules for family homes on farmland.
Reform supports changing public procurement rules to increase the amount of food bought from Welsh producers, backed by a 10-year food strategy.
As well as introducing mandatory labelling of meat produced by non-stun slaughter, they would cut regulations for small abattoirs and transfer ownership and control of Hybu Cig Cymru (meat promotion agency) to farmers (funded via a levy).
Communities, Housing & Local Government
Reform would require referendums for council tax increases of 5% or more. Councils will also be required to undertake value for money audits after every local election.
Reform would support councils building up “in-house” capabilities to cut spending on external consultants, as well as supporting collaboration to share backroom/support functions.
Reform promises increased funding for licensing enforcement.
One of their main policies here is that social housing would only be available to anyone who has lived in Wales for a minimum of 10 years (except veterans, domestic abuse survivors and care-leavers).
Second homes would be addressed by building more houses in high-tourism areas, while Reform would replace Help to Buy with a targeted incentive (but don’t say what).
Unsurprisingly, the Nation of Sanctuary scheme would be scrapped. Reform would also seek to “change the law” to stop illegal migrants from being housed in Wales.
They would also commission an inquiry into “grooming gangs”.
On communities, Reform would seek to set higher design standards for shop fronts, including a ban on neon signs. They would also introduce a ring-fenced fund to improve the appearance of public spaces, and support the principle of local government buildings making their toilets available to the public.
Culture & Country
Reform would seek to ensure that cultural funding was “politically neutral”, including the modernisation of museums. This would only be supported as long as the interpretation of history is “evidence-led” (read into that however you want).
They support ring-fenced funding for the Royal Welsh Show, bids for Wales to host major sporting events and extra investment in all-weather sports facilities.
Reform would end public funding for what they call “politically biased” journalism.
Reform opposes the Welsh Government’s target of 1 million Welsh speakers by 2050. Instead, they would “encourage” the use of Welsh (but don’t say how).
The only other significant promise here is to ring-fence funding for the National Eisteddfod.
Reform makes several pledges here.
The ones of note include a commitment to cut civil service numbers by 10%, ending grant funding to “politically campaigning” charities, abolishing diversity-related posts in the Welsh public sector and introducing an “expiry date” for quangos.
In addition to ending all Welsh Government spending in non-devolved policy areas, they would review Welsh regulations, seeking to repeal or simplify them (where possible).
On electoral reform, they would ban foreign nationals from voting in Welsh elections. They also support a lobbyist register at the Senedd and ending “repeat requests” for information already held by public bodies.
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
They don’t provide any figures at all, despite making big multi-billion pound spending commitments such as building the Newport bypass (likely costing north of £2 billion by itself). Any party proposing meaningful changes to income tax without showing their workings gets an automatic 0.
Clarity
How easy is their manifesto to understand? Do they make it clear what they want to do?
4/5
The manifesto could’ve been laid out a bit better, but it’s clear what they would like to do. They’re not patronising, despite some dog whistling (i.e. trans rights, treatment of migrants, “tokenism”). There’s a little bit of repetition, but not much. Clarity-wise, it’s one of the better manifestos.
Practicality
Do they explain how they would deliver their promises in any detail? Do they say how long they would take?
2/5
Most of Reform’s manifesto pledges are deliverable, but they don’t explain how in any real detail. A lot of their pledges are open-ended with no deadlines or targets (that’s before the lack of financial information). The kindest thing you can say is that the goal is to cause chaos for the sake of it, with no serious thought behind it. Although it’s very, very similar to the Conservative manifesto, the Tories do at least give some idea of how they would get things done.
Devo-Compatibility
Does the Senedd have the power to deliver their manifesto promises?
3/5
Most of their pledges lie within the Senedd’s devolved powers and, unlike the Conservatives, they realise VAT isn’t devolved. There are headline commitments that are definitely not devolved, such as immigration. Reform could’ve done better here, but of all of the parties, you would’ve expected Reform to have understood devolution the least anyway.
OVERALL SCORE
9/20
Not as bad as it could’ve been. When you see the Tory one, you can tell that, while they haven’t copied each other word for word, there’s a suspicious overlap. There are some policies in there that most people, including those from other parties, would agree with. There are plenty of others which tap into people’s frustrations but don’t promise anything better or workable. They’re not the only party to fail the finances test, either. Mediocre.
TL;DR: What stands out?
Reform UK's Big Five Pledges
- 1p cut to the Welsh rate of income tax (all bands).
- Reversing the default 20 mph speed limit in built-up areas.
- Build the M4 Newport bypass.
- Scrap the “Nation of Sanctuary” programme.
- Limit social housing to people who’ve lived in Wales for a minimum of 10 years.
Five Unique Policies
- They propose scrapping Help to Buy – the other parties want to keep it or change it.
- Performance-related pay for health leaders.
- They address a lack of in-house experience in local government (mainly lost during austerity) and over-reliance on consultants and outsourcing. I wish more parties did. Let’s not mention Barnet Council though, eh Dan?
- There’s nothing wrong, in principle, with tourism and meat agencies being run by industry experts instead of the government.
- Ending “repeat requests for information”. Again, not a bad idea in principle.
Five Quirks
- They’re the only party not proposing any significant childcare policy.
- They seemed more fixated on gender ID and immigration than the other parties, including the Tories. No shocks there.
- Local government features heavily in their manifesto compared to the other parties, to the verge of interference.
- Wanting to open up qualifications to other providers other than the WJEC. The WJEC doesn’t have a monopoly on post-16 qualifications, at least. This seems like an oddly specific priority; a bit like a personal grievance that’s become policy.
- Reform considers PE to be a core subject, but not English. Interesting.
Five Bullshit Alarms
- Wales doesn’t have any powers over immigration; any promises they make on this can’t be kept.
- If they’re going to stop Welsh Government spending in non-devolved areas, are they going to withhold the Welsh Government’s police funding (which makes up about a quarter of all policing funding in Wales) or support for veterans (defence isn’t devolved)?
- They want to cut bureaucracy and red tape, but at the same time want to increase council licensing powers, demand audits, and bring in loads of red tape for things they don’t like (like….neon signs).
- Given the current global situation re. Iran, going all in on oil and gas is….bad timing to say the least.
- How much would the Newport bypass cost, and where will the money come from?
Common Ground
What key policy plans do Reform UK share with the other main parties?
Click the party logo to open/close the content.
Labour
Health & Social Care
- More clinical services from community pharmacists.
- Supports greater use of digital technology in the NHS.
- Improvements to accessing NHS dentistry (though they differ on how).
- Both support a women’s health plan (though Reform also propose a men’s health plan).
- New diagnostic and surgical hubs.
- Supports quick access to mental health services (though they differ on how).
Education & Childcare
- Want to reduce bureaucracy for teachers.
- Expansion of apprenticeships and vocational education.
Economy & Transport
- Measures to protect the steel industry.
Environment, Energy & Rural Affairs
- Supports a law to improve river/water quality.
- Supports nuclear energy (at Wylfa).
- Backs more food being bought from Welsh suppliers.
Communities & Local Government
- Stronger licensing powers for local councils.
Culture & Country
- Backs capital investment in museums.
- Investment in local sports facilities.
- A lobbyist register at the Senedd.
Conservatives
Health & Social Care
- Placing a high priority on cancer care and providing extra diagnostic/surgical hubs.
- Reviewing hospital capacity, including the use of "step-down" beds.
- Increasing access to NHS dentistry.
- More clinical services from community pharmacists.
Education & Childcare
- Support for Academies/specialist state schools.
- Support for tougher measures on school discipline, such as a ban on mobile phones.
- Greater emphasis on technical/vocational training.
Economy & Transport
- Support for cutting income tax (albeit the Conservatives want to cut just the basic rate).
- Scrap the overnight stay levy and review business rate in the hospitality sector.
- Scrap the 20 mph speed limit in built-up areas.
- Build the M4 Newport bypass.
- Opposes road charging.
- Wants some sort of review of the future of Cardiff Airport.
Environment, Energy & Rural Affairs
- Wants to abolish Natural Resources Wales.
- Opposes new solar and wind schemes; backs nuclear.
- Wants to scrap/change the Sustainable Farming Scheme.
- Wants to scrap Nitrate Vulnerable Zones.
- They support the principle of burying new power lines.
Communities & Local Government
- Supports local referendums on council tax increases of 5%+
- Wants to prioritise veterans for social housing.
- Scrap the "Nation of Sanctuary".
- Hold an inquiry into "grooming gangs".
- Wants some sort of protection for single-sex spaces.
Culture & Country
- Want to end Welsh Government spending in non-devolved areas.
- Wants a reduction in the size of the Welsh civil service.
Plaid Cymru
Health & Social Care
- Support for a Women’s Health Strategy (though Reform also want one for men).
- Both want to modernise the NHS Wales app.
- Both support "Owain's Law".
- Support for fully integrating health and social care.
Education & Childcare
- Reducing teacher workloads.
- A Dental School at Bangor.
- Both back the use of phonics to teach reading.
Economy & Transport
- Both want a review of business rates of some kind (differing on the extent and hows).
- Both want to support extra procurement from Wales-based companies.
Environment, Energy & Rural Affairs
- Improved water quality standards.
- Changes to how floods are managed/investment in flood defences.
- More funding for coal tip clean-ups.
- Both want more targeted Nitrate Vulnerable Zone measures.
- They support the principle of burying new power lines.
Communities & Local Government
- Both want councils to collaborate more.
Culture & Country
- In principle, both back some sort of "cultural change"/reform of the civil service and how they operate (though they take very different views on how).
Liberal Democrats
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
- Both support a women’s health plan (though Reform also propose a men’s health plan).
- Generally supports maintaining or increasing the number of community hospital beds.
- Increasing access to NHS dentistry.
Education & Childcare
- Supports a ban on mobile phones in schools.
- Both want to reduce teachers' workloads (but differ on how).
Economy & Transport
- Both support a review of business rates (though the Greens want it replaced with a land value style tax).
- Oppose public funding/subsidies for Cardiff Airport.
Environment, Energy & Rural Affairs
- Backs more food being bought from Welsh suppliers.
- Support a form of method-of-production labelling on food.
Culture & Country
- Both support a review of Welsh laws/regulations to streamline them.
Senedd 2026
