Unlikely Alliances: The Tories Navigate Welsh Politics Ahead of Election

In a surprising turn of events, Conservative leaders Kemi Badenoch and Darren Millar are not ruling out potential alliances with Plaid Cymru and Reform UK following next year’s Welsh elections. With current polling showing the Conservatives trailing in the fourth position behind Labour, Reform UK, and Plaid Cymru, forming a majority is becoming increasingly difficult. During the party’s Welsh conference in Llangollen, Millar stated that he was willing to collaborate with “anybody” to oust the Labour government, which is considered to be failing under its leadership.

Badenoch, while previously dismissing a pact with Reform at the UK level, acknowledged the reality that negotiations may need to happen post-election but emphasized the distraction such conversations could cause. The party has recently lost all its Welsh MPs, and the leaders are focusing on recovering their footing in Wales, which Badenoch claimed would be where their fight-back begins. Millar described the party as a “government in waiting” with aspirations to regain trust after a devastating recent election defeat.

In her conference speech, Badenoch criticized Plaid Cymru and Reform, alleging they engage in the “politics of identity” and benefit from Labour’s current governance. She stated, “Reform is not the answer, Labour is not the answer. All these other parties are a flavor of the same thing.” Meanwhile, a division within the party is palpable, especially concerning internal support for possible alliances, as many grassroots members resist any moves towards dissenting parties like Plaid, which is pro-Welsh independence.

The potential for collaboration is loaded with complications; Millar’s open willingness contrasts with Badenoch’s caution, illustrating the delicate balance between seizing opportunities and adhering to Conservative principles. This tension reflects the broader struggle for the Conservatives in Wales, with key policies launched, such as promises to reduce NHS treatment wait times and reinstating home economics in schools, showcasing their positioning as a credible alternative to Labour. The article underscores that while the party’s leaders accept that post-election negotiations might be necessary, they remain aware of the broader implications such pacts could entail in their quest to reclaim power in Cardiff Bay.