SENEDD members heard the First Minister today setting out her government’s priorities for Wales to deliver during 2025.

Eluned Morgan said she had been listening to the public and their priorities have been placed at the heart of the government’s work programme: “A healthier Wales, jobs and green growth, opportunity for every family and connecting communities.”

She told the Senedd that the Welsh government has already targeted an extra £157 million this financial year to deliver these promises.

The FM said the draft Budget sets out the government’s vision for a brighter future, delivering an extra £1.5 billion for public services and priorities.

“This is by no means the end of our conversation with the people of Wales — it is more like a fresh beginning — the beginning of a new year, the beginning of a new term and the beginning of our journey to build a brighter future for Wales,” Ms Morgan said.

But her vision was scorned by Plaid Cymru’s Rhun ap Iorwerth who said: “She makes a virtue of listening to the people of Wales, but surely that is what we should all be doing all the time.”

Responding to the Plaid leader, Ms Morgan said she takes every opportunity to ask for better funding for Wales, but until more money is available opposition parties need to be clear what should be cut when they ask for spending in other areas.

But the FM’s vision was derailed by a blog published on Monday by former Welsh Labour government minister Lee Waters.

Llanelli constituency Senedd Member Mr Waters warned that Welsh Labour risks a “kicking” at the 2026 Senedd election unless it takes a different and more radical stance.

Mr Waters said the new proportional system will help Reform UK take seats and Welsh Labour’s position as the largest party is being seriously questioned with polls suggesting the party is within the margin of error of coming third.

“Inflation has eaten into living standards and created an anger that demands to be assuaged,” Mr Waters said.

He warned that there seemed to be no appetite to project a vision for a more radical recasting of politics in Wales which seeks to seize the opportunity to challenge the extractive capitalist model and create a sovereign wealth fund using our natural renewable resources.