Key Dates and More Information
- Vote in person: Between 7am and 10pm on 7 May 2026
- Find your Polling Station.
- Video - How will the new voting system work at the next Senedd election?
- The vote.wales website explains all you need to know about the Senedd election on 7 May.
- Who Can I Vote For? - Senedd Elections
- State of Wales - Senedd Elections
Want Independence? Vote Independence!
We have reviewed the manifestos of the parties standing for the Senedd election on 7 May 2026 and provided a summary of what they say about Welsh independence and further devolution.
We have also included links to the full manifestos so people can read them for themselves.
Our aim is to give voters clear, accessible information so they can make up their own minds.
YesCymru is not endorsing any party or candidate, and is not telling anyone who to vote for.
However, YesCymru encourages its members and supporters to vote for candidates and parties that support Welsh independence.
The parties are listed by representation in the previous Senedd. Those contesting all 16 new constituencies with a full slate of candidates are listed first, followed by those standing in fewer constituencies or not fielding a full slate of candidates.
Parties Contesting All 16 Constituencies
Welsh Labour
96+ candidates contesting all 16 constituencies
Welsh Labour opposes Welsh independence but supports extra devolved powers in specific areas.
Welsh Labour's 2026 Senedd election manifesto says it “builds on everything Wales has achieved through devolution and looks ahead to the next chapter.” It proposes a “Constitutional Reform Act to protect devolution and strengthen Wales’ status within the UK” and says it will “continue to call for the repeal of the UK Internal Market Act introduced by the Tory Government.” It also states that councils “will be at the heart of the next chapter of devolution” and says it will hold “citizens assemblies to debate how to fund the future cost of social care and how to create truly cohesive communities.”
The manifesto states that Welsh Labour will “continue to pursue more powers for Wales, including devolution of the Crown Estate, and youth justice and probation as a first step towards devolution of justice and policing.” In the energy section, it separately says it will “make the case for the devolution of powers over the Crown Estate.” In the economy section, it also commits to “secure the devolution of non Job Centre Plus employment support to help more people into work, focusing on disabled people and people with health conditions.”
Welsh Conservatives
96+ candidates contesting all 16 constituencies
The Welsh Conservative Party strongly opposes independence and opposes further powers for Wales.
The Welsh Conservative's 2026 Senedd election manifesto includes the pledge to “rule out extending the Senedd’s powers and further referendums on the constitutional settlement, including the separation of Wales from the rest of the United Kingdom.”
The manifesto states that it would “reject Labour and Plaid Cymru’s efforts to devolve policing, justice and elements of welfare.” It also says it would reverse the increase in Senedd Members from 96 to 60, “stop spending on non-devolved matters, such as justice, international affairs, overseas aid and immigration,” and that it would “work with the UK Government to promote the benefits of the United Kingdom to the people of Wales.”
The manifesto states that the party believes in “a strong Wales in a strong United Kingdom” and that a Welsh Conservative Government would “respect the devolution settlement.”
Plaid Cymru
96+ candidates contesting all 16 constituencies
Plaid Cymru supports Welsh independence and supports further powers for Wales in the interim.
Plaid Cymru’s 2026 manifesto commits to “laying the foundations for a... White Paper on Welsh independence – addressing the challenges and setting out the opportunities and positive changes independence would bring for Wales.”
The manifesto also states that “the decision on Wales’s political and constitutional future belongs to the people of Wales” and that it will “formally request that the right to decide on the timeline, question and process for an independence referendum be devolved.” It proposes the creation of a “new National Commission for Wales” to oversee processes for devolving additional powers and to engage the public in discussion about Wales’s constitutional future.
In terms of further powers, the manifesto includes specific commitments to pursue the devolution of the Crown Estate and to pursue “the devolution of justice and policing as an immediate priority.” It also commits to “greater tax powers,” including “the ability to set income tax bands”.
Plaid Cymru supports the devolution of welfare administration, port regulation and Air Passenger Duty. The party also supports the phased devolution of broadcasting to Wales, beginning with the establishment of a Shadow Broadcasting Authority to better hold public broadcasters to account. Plaid Cymru would seek to change the voting system at Senedd and local council elections to Single Transferable Vote (STV).
The manifesto additionally states that it will “defend devolution and resist attempts to undermine or weaken it, while securing more of the levers we need to build a fairer, more prosperous Wales.”
Welsh Liberal Democrats
96 candidates contesting all 16 constituencies
The Welsh Liberal Democrat Party strongly opposes independence but supports further powers for Wales and a federal UK.
The Welsh Liberal Democrat's 2026 Manifesto states “we believe that Wales is stronger and better off within the United Kingdom, and the United Kingdom is stronger and better off with Wales in it” and that “we will not spend a single penny of Welsh Government money on the independence agenda.” It also presents “Stop independence” as one of its stated priorities.
On devolution and constitutional arrangements, the manifesto states that the party will “fight for a much fairer deal and stronger voice for Wales within the UK” and that Wales should have “much greater control over its own affairs through a federal UK where power is shared fairly across all four nations.” It also states that it would seek to remove “the ability for the UK Parliament to unilaterally change the powers of the devolved parliaments or pass laws in their areas of responsibility.”
The manifesto adds that the party has “long been arguing for more powers for the Senedd” and sets out specific proposals. These include “completing the next stage of devolution in Wales by implementing the remaining Silk proposals, substantially reducing the number of powers reserved to Westminster” as well as “increasing borrowing powers and conferring full powers to change income tax rates and thresholds in line with Scotland.” It also proposes devolving “responsibility for rail services and infrastructure” creating “a distinct legal jurisdiction for Wales” and devolving “powers over policing, prisons, youth justice and probation services” as well as strengthening devolved powers of broadcasting and the evolution of the Crown Estate and Air Passenger Duty.
Wales Green Party
96 candidates contesting all 16 constituencies
The Wales Green Party supports Welsh independence and supports further powers for Wales in the interim.
The Wales Green Party’s 2026 Senedd manifesto does not specifically mention independence but does say that Wales must “have the powers to shape its own future.”
It says the party will “push for the same devolved powers as Scotland” and identifies as priorities “the devolution of justice, policing, rail, water, research and development and the Crown Estate” alongside campaigning “for reform of the Barnett formula so Wales receives fair funding to invest in its future.” In the section on justice and policing, it also says it will “set out a long-term vision for a devolved policing, probation and youth justice system.”
Elsewhere in the manifesto, further powers are mentioned in specific policy areas. On energy, it says it will “continue to call for devolution of the Crown Estate so Wales can control its own renewable resources and keep the economic benefits within Welsh communities.” In culture and media, it states: “We will advocate for broadcasting and media powers to be fully devolved to Wales, allowing the country to shape how its stories are told and funded.” The manifesto also says it will “seek the powers from the UK Government to place Dwr Cymru/Welsh Water into special measures, towards genuine public ownership.”
The Greens promise a review of the new closed-list voting system being introduced for Senedd elections.
Reform UK
96 candidates contesting all 16 constituencies
Reform UK strongly opposes independence and opposes further powers for Wales.
Reform UK’s 2026 Wales Senedd manifesto is framed around using existing devolved powers, stating: “we will use the powers Wales already has.”
The manifesto says Reform will “peel back wasteful layers of complex and unaccountable quangos, saving money and ensuring that ministers are responsible, and accountable, for delivery.” It also states that “ministers will take decisions, not faceless bureaucrats” and proposes measures including ending “DEI non-jobs” and “restore election integrity” by removing “the current right of qualifying foreign citizens to vote in Senedd elections.”
Parties Contesting Fewer Constituencies
Gwlad
6 Candidates standing in: Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd, Ceredigion Penfro, Gwynedd Maldwyn, Pontypridd Cynon Merthyr, Sir Fynwy Torfaen and Sir Gaerfyrddin
Gwlad supports Welsh independence.
Gwlad’s 2026 manifesto states: “Gwlad exists to obtain independence for Wales by removing the obstacles that currently stand in its way.” It also says “while independence is our goal, the Welsh economy is our priority.” The manifesto further states: “We want independence simply because we believe that Wales is a nation.”
The manifesto is critical of the current settlement, stating: “The current devolution settlement, hailed so optimistically at its outset in 1999, has been a bitter disappointment.” It adds that “the real power is still in Westminster.” At the same time, it says that “the Senedd can still make a positive difference.”
The manifesto states that its proposals set out “what can we do today, using the existing constitutional structures of Welsh Government and Senedd within the United Kingdom” and also “the difference that we think independence can make - the new horizons that will open up to a free Wales fully in control of its own destiny.”
Propel
4 Candidates standing in: Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf and Caerdydd Penarth
Propel supports a "sovereign" Wales and more direct democracy.
Propel’s 2026 manifesto supports Welsh sovereignty, stating that “Wales must be a sovereign state” and that “Welsh decisions are made in Wales”. It says that, in a sovereign Wales, the Welsh Government would be responsible for the nation’s internal and external affairs, except where powers are devolved to what it calls “sovereign counties”.
On constitutional reform, the manifesto proposes major structural change. It supports a directly elected First Minister, wider use of direct democracy through referenda, the recall of politicians, and a possible Upper House for the Welsh Parliament. It also says Propel would commission independent experts to draft a “modern Welsh Constitution” and a “Welsh Bill of Rights”, with the final constitution to be approved by the people of Wales in a national referendum.
Welsh Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC)
5 Candidates standing in: Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf, Gŵyr Abertawe
The TUSC supports a voluntary socialist federation between the countries of the UK and Ireland.
The manifesto does not argue for Welsh independence in the form of a separate nation state. Instead, it calls for “a socialist Wales as part of a voluntary socialist federation with England, Scotland and Ireland”. At the same time, it supports a major expansion of devolved powers to Wales and argues that the Senedd should have “full legislative and financial powers”.
The manifesto says that, despite the Welsh Government’s current limited powers, a number of policies can still be implemented and fought for. It specifically calls for welfare to be devolved to Wales and says the Senedd should have powers “to take over firms threatening redundancy”.
Britain’s Communist Party
2 Candidates standing in: Bangor Conwy Môn, Caerdydd Penarth
The Communist Party supports a federal Britain.
The Communist Party’s 2026 manifesto supports greater self-government for Wales, but not Welsh independence as a separate state. It says it wants to “Defend and expand Welsh self-government within a federal Britain based on equality and solidarity.” The manifesto argues that devolution has allowed Wales to take a different path in some areas, but says Westminster has limited Welsh powers, including by refusing to devolve the Crown Estate and by taking back powers after Brexit.
The manifesto says it wants to “protect and extend the powers and resources of our national institutions in Wales” so that more decisions are made in Wales.
Heritage Party
17 Candidates
The Heritage Party strongly opposes independence and supports abolishing the Senedd
The Heritage Party’s 2026 Welsh manifesto opposes both Welsh independence and devolution. It states that it would “affirm Wales as an integral part of the United Kingdom” and would “abolish the Senedd”.
Overall, its position is that Wales should remain firmly within the UK, with a major constitutional reversal that would take powers away from the Senedd.
Open Party
5 Candidates standing in: Blaenau Gwent Caerffili Rhymni, Casnewydd Islwyn, Sir Fynwy Torfaen
The Open Party takes a different approach. Anyone can apply to stand as a candidate for the party. Prospective candidates then put forward their own manifestos, and members rank the candidates where applicable. As a result, there is no single manifesto that applies to all Open Party candidates.
Independent Candidates
30 Candidates
Each independent candidate is standing on their own platform, so there is no single manifesto to summarise. There are several independent candidates standing across the constituencies. For a full list, visit the vote.wales website.
Other Parties
Also standing are the Welsh Christian Party (2 candidates), which is opposed to Welsh independence but supports the principle of the Senedd having the same powers as the Scottish Parliament; the Social Democratic Party (1 candidate), which is opposed to Welsh independence and is "committed to preserving and strengthening the Union". It wants to review the number of Members of the Senedd to reduce what it describes as "Senedd bloat"; the Socialist Labour Party (1 candidate), which supports the principle of Wales having the power to hold independence referendums but takes no official stance on independence itself; and the Monster Raving Loony Party (1 candidate).