Prospect’s view of the main party’s manifestos for the 2026 Senedd elections

Responding to Labour’s Senedd 2026 manifesto, Prospect General Secretary Mike Clancy said:

“It is welcome to see Labour’s manifesto in Wales commit to aims such as a net zero public sector, as well as their broader ambition for an Energy Independent Wales through investment in renewable power sources. The commitment to introduce a new Industrial Strategy is also encouraging, especially the pledge to specifically include the growth of the creative industries in this strategy, which will be welcomed by our Bectu members in Wales. However, actions will speak louder than words, and while the ambitions in the manifesto are positive, our members will want to see more tangible steps on how they are going to deliver the change they are promising.

Responding to Plaid Cymru’s Senedd 2026 manifesto, Prospect General Secretary Mike Clancy said:

“This manifesto includes much to welcome for Prospect’s members. It is particularly positive to see commitments for greater investment in the creative industries, as well as the pledge to increase the budget for Wales’ heritage institutions year-on-year. Workers in the energy sector will also be encouraged by the proposal for a new renewable energy sector deal with trade union input. However, it is concerning that the manifesto makes no mention of nuclear power, which is a proven clean, homegrown energy source delivering unionised and well-paid jobs for our members in Wales.

Responding to the Green Party’s Senedd 2026 manifesto, Prospect General Secretary Mike Clancy said:

“The commitments in this manifesto to put tackling the climate crisis at the top of the Government’s agenda, as well as pledges to increase investment for the public sector and heritage institutions, are welcome for Prospect members. However, the complete and explicit opposition to the development and use of nuclear power will be highly concerning for our members in the energy sector, and for our wider membership, given that it will jeopardise the clean power mission in Wales and lead to the loss of vital jobs.”

Responding to Reform’s Senedd 2026 manifesto, Prospect General Secretary Mike Clancy said:

“This manifesto is an all-out assault on Welsh public sector workers, on the environment and on Wales’ magnificent cultural heritage. Reform continue to repeat the fantastical claim that they can achieve large cuts without impacting front line services. This was their claim in local government, and the reality is they have ended up cutting services and raising taxes. This is a manifesto that prioritises hardline ideology over evidence and expertise, promising to overrule the scientific consensus on clean energy and ignore experts by imposing their own version of history Welsh museums. The Welsh people will need to choose in May whether they really want their country to be a testing ground for the importation of hardline Trumpian politics in Britain.”

Responding to the Conservatives Senedd 2026 manifesto, Prospect General Secretary Mike Clancy said:

“In the forthcoming election in Wales people have to choose between policies which will protect and enhance Welsh public services and Welsh heritage, and those which will attack and denude capability. We are concerned that this manifesto includes further cuts to the Welsh government that will inevitably damage outcomes.”

(NOTE: at time of writing, the Liberal Democrat manifesto for the Senedd 2026 elections had not been published)