AS WELSH Labour conference meets, we are now just 18 months out from the next Senedd elections. There is no doubt that this will be at the forefront of minds in the party and trade union affiliates, like Unison.

For Labour to win in 2026 Welsh Labour will need a clear and bold manifesto. Unison, as the voice of public service workers, has a few ideas to help the party with that task.

Let’s start with social care. One of the First Minister’s four priorities for this government is to reduce NHS waiting lists – something both needed and with clear appeal. However, you cannot fix the crisis in health without fixing social care.

A clear plan for a National Care Service with people, not profit at the centre will support our NHS, and make a tangible difference to people’s lives.  

Policy is in place, but we need urgency. Last year, Unison called for a publicly delivered, profit free, national care service for Wales. It passed unanimously with the motion insisting on a timetable to be brought back to this years’ conference. Will we see it?

While unions and government won’t always agree, Unison Cymru has praised Welsh Labour’s more progressive polices and legislation — such as the Social Partnership Act — that sets Wales apart.

Free prescriptions, free hospital parking, a real living wage for care workers, rejection of PFI and privatisation in NHS Wales, local authority-controlled schools, a publicly owned rail service, Net Zero ambitions, well-being of future generations and the current plan to drive profit out of looked after children’s services are particularly significant deviations more beneficial to people in Wales.

At times, we take these for granted — woven as they are into our social fabric. But in the build up to the election we must spotlight what we do well or risk losing them – either from being reversed or through service reform in such a way that it can’t be undone.

The Social Partnership approach has fostered trust, a prominent worker voice, ethical procurement and Fair Work — helping root out bad employers.

These seemingly small, often unseen actions taken in social partnership are rarely spotlighted. Nonetheless, they improve the lives of thousands of workers and should be promoted.

Examples include: new role profiles for teaching assistants, embedding fair work in social care through a new commissioning framework, and the fact that our NHS staff in Wales are now paid more than across the border.

But we know that past achievements aren’t enough. Welsh Labour needs both a plan and the people to win in 2026. We need candidates who are rooted in their communities.  

Trade unions like ours are a trusted voice and governments can benefit from listening to and engaging us at every step.

An enlarged Senedd — from 60 to 96 members — provides an opportunity for an even more reflective and representative Welsh politics.

In a climate where public trust in the system is wavering, what better remedy than to elect a new class of representatives that is rooted in their local community?

A class that makes decisions about the future of public services as an individual that may have delivered care to your neighbour, worked in a local classroom or hospital?

The route to winning and delivering is in selecting candidates who live and work in the communities they want to represent and know first-hand the challenges they face.

The trade union movement provides ideal grounding for candidates of the future, developing the skillset needed to lead a political life. We offer the chance to learn the art of public speaking, advocacy and building the confidence to stand up and have your voice heard.

Unison has a strong presence in areas where right-wing populism has risen, such as the post-industrial south Wales valleys. Public services are huge employers in these areas.

Our networks provide access to schools, hospitals and councils and our reps are trusted by their colleagues. What we need from two Labour governments — working together — in return is the boldness of vision we can sell and intention to deliver a change that people really feel.

This is crucial to leading the discourse. Right-wing parties have made serious gains, capturing the vote of many disenchanted. With a new proportional system, there can be no complacency in combating the threat of populism in Wales.

Trade unions have a history of tackling racism, discrimination, and the harmful rhetoric of the far right. Many people vote for change. It is our collective responsibility to deliver changes that people feel.

We must listen, challenge, and build trust around candidates. We must go beyond promises. We must deliver.  

Eighteen months will pass quickly. Work must begin now to develop the people and policies which connect with communities across Wales and offer solutions to legitimate concerns through new layers of political leaders directly from those communities.

Jess Turner is regional secretary Unison Cymru Wales.