Radical plans ranging from strict restrictions on second home ownership to setting up a publicly owned energy company and driving forward a free nationwide social care system have been announced in an agreement between the Labour-led Welsh government and the nationalists, Plaid Cymru.
Details of the “cooperation agreement” were unveiled by the Welsh first minister, Mark Drakeford, and the leader of Plaid, Adam Price, on the steps of the Welsh parliament building, the Senedd, on Monday.
The three-year agreement covers almost 50 policy areas and also includes the delivery of free school meals to all primary school pupils, a commitment to bolster the Welsh language and understanding of the country’s history, and exploring an increase in the number of Senedd members.
Drakeford said: “We do not have a monopoly on good ideas and we will work with progressive parties where we have shared and common interests to benefit people in Wales.”
Welsh Labour won 30 of the 60 seats at the last election, one short of an absolute majority. Working with Plaid, which has 13 seats, will create what Drakeford called a “stable Senedd” capable of delivering “radical change and reform”.
Drakeford refused to be drawn on whether the three-year lifespan of the deal indicated how long he intended to remain first minister. He said he stuck by his pledge to remain as first minister and make sure the party was “thoroughly established” in this Senedd term.
Price said the agreement was a “historic” step forward to Wales and a “radical counterpoint” to the confrontational nature of Westminster politics. “We’re setting out a new way of doing politics,” he said.
The Plaid leader also said his party would have the best of both worlds, pushing forward some of its most important priorities while still opposing Labour in areas not covered in the agreement.
The parties emphasised that it was not a coalition, but a “bespoke agreement”. No Plaid members join the government as ministers or deputies, but is understood Plaid special advisers will be allowed to work within the Welsh government’s offices.
Among the plans outlined are:
“Immediate and radical action” to address the crisis of second homes and unaffordable housing, using the planning, property and taxation systems. Actions being planned include a cap on the number of second and holiday homes.
A publicly owned energy company for Wales could be created to encourage community-owned renewable energy generation.
Appoint a commission of independent advice to examine potential pathways to net zero by 2035 – the current target date is 2050.
Set up an expert group to support the creation of a “national care service”, free at the point of need. Implementation plan to be agreed by by the end of 2023.
Extend free school meals to all primary school pupils, over the lifetime of the agreement.
Establish a national construction company to support councils and social landlords to improve the supply of social and affordable housing.
Support plans to reform the Senedd, increasing its membership to between 80 and 100 members and having gender quotas enshrined in law.
Improve the teaching of Welsh history and make its delivery mandatory in the new curriculum for Wales.
Set new ambitions and incentives to expand the proportion of the education workforce who can teach and work through the Welsh language.
Prof Laura McAllister, of the Wales governance centre at Cardiff University, described the agreement as a “curate’s egg”, important, radical policies sitting alongside promises to explore and investigate.
She said she believed Drakeford was keen to make sure his legacy was not confined to his handling of the Covid crisis. For Plaid, which finished third at May’s elections, it was a foothold in power.
The Welsh Conservative shadow minister for the constitution, Darren Millar, said: “This deal fails to deliver on the priorities of the people of Wales. It does nothing to address the crisis in our NHS; nothing to improve our ailing Welsh infrastructure; and nothing to fire up our sluggish economy.”
The agreement is subject to ratification by the Plaid Cymru membership at its annual conference on Saturday. The cooperation agreement is due to come into force on 1 December.
