Welsh Conservative Party
“Welsh Conservatives have a credible plan to fix Wales and get Wales working.”
The unionist alternative — tax cuts, road-building, traditional schools.
- Cut the basic rate of Welsh income tax by 1p
- Scrap the 20mph default and build the M4 relief road
- Restore Right-to-Buy and cut the Senedd from 96 to 60 seats
- Voters who want lower taxes and traditional services
- Rural communities concerned about farming and roads
- Unionists firmly opposed to Welsh independence
After 14 years in UK government, the Welsh Conservatives are running against an unpopular brand. They're polling fifth.
From Darren Millar
Darren Millar frames the manifesto as a clean break from 27 years of Labour-led governance, arguing that Wales has been left with the UK's worst economic performance, highest youth unemployment, and lowest-quality public services as a direct result. Kemi Badenoch endorses the agenda from a UK level, emphasising controlled immigration, lower taxes, and an end to wasteful spending. Together they present the Welsh Conservatives as a credible, practical alternative focused on economic growth, emergency NHS action, and restoring personal freedom.
How they speak
Wales is characterised as a nation of enormous potential that has been squandered by 27 years of Labour and Plaid Cymru governance, resulting in the worst economic performance, highest youth unemployment, and poorest public service outcomes of any UK nation or region.
The election is presented as an opportunity for a clean break from a failed Labour agenda, with Welsh Conservatives offering the only credible, practical alternative to finally fix Wales and get it working.
What they say is most important.
- 01
Declare a health emergency on day one and clear the NHS waiting time backlog by the end of the Senedd term.
- 02
Cut the basic rate of Welsh income tax by 1p, saving the average working family £450 per year.
- 03
Scrap business rates for small firms, pubs, and post offices.
- 04
Reverse the 20mph default speed limit and build the M4 relief road.
- 05
Extend free childcare to children aged 9 months to 4 years old.
- 06
Deliver 125,000 apprenticeships over the next Senedd term.
- 07
Restore the Right-to-Buy and aim to build 40,000 new homes by 2030.
- 08
Restore discipline in schools: ban mobile phones and scrap the Welsh Baccalaureate.
Positions other parties haven't matched.
Reversing the 20mph default speed limit and building the M4 relief road — the only major party explicitly committed to undoing Labour's road transport policies and resuming large-scale road construction.
Restoring the Right-to-Buy in Wales and reinvesting receipts into affordable housing — a flagship home ownership commitment no other Welsh party proposes to reinstate.
Introducing a moratorium on industrial-scale solar and wind farms in the Welsh countryside — the only party explicitly opposing large-scale renewable energy infrastructure on landscape protection grounds.
Scrapping the Sustainable Farming Scheme entirely and replacing it with a food security-first scheme, backed by a £100 million boost to the farming budget and active campaigning against the UK's Family Farm Tax.
Reversing the Senedd expansion from 96 to 60 Members, saving £20 million per year — the only party committed to reducing the size of the devolved legislature as a cost-cutting measure.
Cutting the basic rate of Welsh income tax by 1p — the only party proposing a direct, quantified income tax reduction for Welsh taxpayers as a headline manifesto pledge.
Scrapping the Nation of Sanctuary policy and supporting UK withdrawal from the ECHR — the only Welsh party explicitly opposing the existing refugee integration framework and aligning with a harder UK-level immigration stance.
The full pledge breakdown
Economy & Jobs
Welsh Conservatives prioritise economic growth through tax cuts, deregulation, and attracting inward investment via a re-established Welsh Development Agency, while scrapping business rates for small firms and slashing red tape to create jobs and prosperity.
17 pledges
Scrap business rates for small firms, pubs and post offices
Business rates will be scrapped entirely for small firms, pubs, and post offices to ease the cost burden on high streets and support local enterprises.
Pilot Business Rate-free periods for new high street retail
Business Rate-free periods for new retail businesses seeking to open stores on Welsh high streets will be piloted to incentivise town centre investment.
Re-establish a Welsh Development Agency for inward investment
A Welsh Development Agency will be re-established to attract inward investment, promote business growth, and support job creation across Wales.
Cut basic rate of income tax by 1p saving families £450 per year
The basic rate of Welsh income tax will be cut by 1p, saving the average working family approximately £450 per year.
Transport
Welsh Conservatives will reverse Labour's anti-motorist agenda by scrapping the 20mph default speed limit, unfreezing road projects, and building the M4 relief road, while also improving bus and rail connectivity, introducing a Pothole Guarantee, and returning Cardiff Airport to private ownership.
15 pledges
Reverse the 20mph default speed limit and adopt a targeted approach
The 20mph default speed limit in built-up areas will be reversed and a targeted approach adopted, applying lower limits only where they are appropriate.
Build the M4 relief road and upgrade key strategic routes
The M4 relief road will be built, the A55 upgraded, a third Menai crossing delivered, and the A40 in West Wales dualled. All currently frozen road projects will be unfrozen.
Designate M4, A55, and A40 as Union Highways
The M4, A55, and A40 will be designated as Union Highways to ensure their prioritisation as strategic routes for the whole United Kingdom.
Abandon plans for road pricing and end war on motorists
Plans for road pricing will be abandoned and the war on motorists ended, with the party committed to improving transport connectivity as a driver of economic growth.
Health & Care
Welsh Conservatives will declare a health emergency on day one, reopen closed wards, urgently increase hospital bed capacity, and clear the waiting time backlog by the end of the Senedd term, while building new hospitals, establishing 24/7 mental health crisis centres, and creating an independent commission to address long-term social care funding.
24 pledges
Declare a health emergency and immediately reopen closed ward capacity
A health emergency will be declared on day one to focus all government machinery on the NHS crisis. Closed wards in community hospitals will be immediately reopened to support step-down and rehabilitation care closer to home.
Clear the NHS waiting time backlog by the end of the Senedd term
The NHS waiting time backlog will be cleared so that by the end of the Senedd term no one has an unacceptable wait for treatment, supported by an urgent review of hospital bed capacity.
Increase health and social care spending in real terms every year
Spending on health and social care will be increased in real terms in each and every year of the next Senedd term.
Establish a 21st Century Hospitals Fund for new and modernised hospitals
A 21st Century Hospitals Fund will be established to build new hospitals and modernise the hospital and primary care estate across Wales.
Education & Skills
Welsh Conservatives will raise school standards through academic rigour, Standardised Assessment Tests, and scrapping the Welsh Baccalaureate, while restoring discipline via School Covenants, banning mobile phones, extending free childcare to nine months, and targeting 125,000 apprenticeships.
18 pledges
Increase school funding every year with a National School Funding Formula
School funding will be increased each and every year. A National School Funding Formula will be introduced to level up per-pupil funding across Wales, with money directed straight into classrooms.
Permit Academy Schools and Free Schools to improve learner outcomes
The establishment of Academy Schools and Free Schools in Wales will be permitted to improve learner outcomes and introduce greater diversity and choice into the school system.
Scrap the Welsh Baccalaureate in favour of internationally recognised qualifications
The Welsh Baccalaureate will be scrapped to allow pupils to focus on internationally recognised qualifications rather than Wales-specific alternatives.
Introduce Standardised Assessment Tests in primary schools
Standardised Assessment Tests in primary schools will be introduced to measure pupil progress and school performance, enabling comparison and early intervention.
Housing
Welsh Conservatives aim to build 40,000 homes by 2030, restore the Right-to-Buy, scrap Land Transaction Tax on primary residences, and eradicate rough sleeping, positioning home ownership as a democratic right and essential driver of economic growth.
11 pledges
Aim to build 40,000 new homes by 2030
A target of 40,000 new homes will be pursued by 2030, with an infrastructure-first approach to new housing developments to ensure communities are properly supported.
Restore the Right-to-Buy in Wales with reinvested proceeds
The Right-to-Buy will be restored in Wales, with sale proceeds reinvested into more affordable housing and homes protected from re-sale for 10 years to prevent depletion of the social housing stock.
Scrap Land Transaction Tax on primary residences
Land Transaction Tax (stamp duty) on primary residences will be scrapped to promote mobility in the housing market and help people get on and move along the housing ladder.
Extend and expand Help-to-Buy to first-time buyers and empty properties
The Help-to-Buy scheme will be extended to all first-time buyers and widened to include empty properties in need of renovation.
Climate & Environment
Welsh Conservatives commit to reducing carbon emissions and protecting nature, but uniquely oppose industrial-scale wind and solar farms in the Welsh countryside, plan to replace Natural Resources Wales with an independent regulator, and will establish a National Flood Agency to coordinate flood risk management.
12 pledges
Scrap Natural Resources Wales and replace with fit-for-purpose independent regulator
Natural Resources Wales will be scrapped and replaced with an independent, fit-for-purpose environmental regulator.
Introduce moratorium on industrial-scale solar and wind farms
A moratorium on industrial-scale solar and wind farms will be introduced to protect the Welsh countryside, accompanied by a 'bury cables first' policy for energy infrastructure in rural areas.
Clean up rivers and improve bathing water quality using modern technology
Rivers and bathing water will be cleaned up, with modern technology used to improve monitoring of pollution and enforcement against those responsible.
Establish a £20 million Wildlife Wales Fund for conservation
A £20 million Wildlife Wales Fund will be established to support conservation efforts across Wales.
Farming & Rural
Welsh Conservatives will scrap the Sustainable Farming Scheme and replace it with a food security-first approach, boost the farming budget by £100 million over the Senedd term, and oppose the UK Government's inheritance tax changes affecting family farms.
7 pledges
Axe the Sustainable Farming Scheme and replace with food security-first scheme
The Sustainable Farming Scheme will be scrapped and replaced with a new food security-first scheme to support farming viability, protect food production, and end what the party describes as an anti-farming policy.
Boost the farming budget by an additional £100 million over the Senedd term
The farming budget will be boosted by an additional £100 million over the next Senedd term, alongside a dedicated Growth Strategy for Welsh Agriculture.
Campaign to scrap the UK Government's Family Farm Tax in full
Welsh Conservatives will campaign actively for the UK Government's Family Farm Tax (inheritance tax changes affecting agricultural property) to be scrapped in full.
Adopt evidence-led approach to tackling Bovine TB in livestock and wildlife
The science will be followed and an evidence-led approach adopted to tackling Bovine TB in livestock and wildlife.
Crime & Justice
Welsh Conservatives will invest in community safety through a Safer Streets Fund, protect women and girls' safety in public spaces, and commission a Wales-wide inquiry into grooming gangs, while opposing further devolution of policing and justice from Westminster.
5 pledges
Invest in community safety with a Safer Streets Fund
A Safer Streets Fund will be established to invest in community safety measures such as improved street lighting and new video monitoring systems.
Require female-only toilets, changing rooms and hospital wards in public buildings
The rights and safety of women and girls will be upheld by requiring female-only toilets and changing rooms in all public buildings, female-only wards in Welsh hospitals, and protecting female-only sports.
Improve town centre lighting to foster security for women and girls
Lighting in town centres and public spaces will be improved to foster a greater sense of security for women and girls.
Commission Wales-wide inquiry into grooming gangs
A Wales-wide inquiry into grooming gangs will be commissioned to protect children and ensure accountability.
Cymraeg & Culture
Welsh Conservatives maintain a commitment to one million Welsh speakers by 2050 and will create an Access to Welsh Fund to make Welsh learning free for all ages, while promoting culture, heritage, and sport through targeted investment and by supporting major events.
14 pledges
Maintain target of one million Welsh speakers by 2050
A target of one million Welsh speakers by 2050 will be maintained.
Create an Access to Welsh Fund making Welsh learning free for all ages
A new Access to Welsh Fund will establish the right for everyone, of every age, to learn Welsh for free, with expanded opportunities both in person and online.
Develop and implement a Welsh Language for All Charter
A Welsh Language for All Charter will be developed and implemented to embed the Welsh language across all sectors of Welsh society.
Establish a Welsh Language Digital Initiative for online learning and broadcasting
A Welsh Language Digital Initiative will be established to promote learning Welsh online, support Welsh language broadcasting, and expand online services in Welsh.
Devolution & the Union
Welsh Conservatives will reverse the Senedd expansion from 96 to 60 Members, rule out further devolution of powers and any independence referendum, and oppose the devolution of policing, justice, and welfare, committing firmly to a strong Wales within a strong United Kingdom.
6 pledges
Reverse Senedd expansion from 96 back to 60 Members saving £20 million per year
The increase in the number of Senedd Members will be reversed from 96 back to 60, saving approximately £20 million per year.
Cap Welsh Ministers at 12, cut ministerial pay by 10% and freeze for four years
The number of Welsh Ministers will be capped at 12, ministerial pay cut by 10% and then frozen for four years as part of reducing the cost of devolved politics.
Reduce the size of the Welsh Government civil service
The size of the Welsh Government civil service will be reduced, arbitrary work-from-home targets scrapped, and the salaries of Welsh Government employees earning over £100,000 frozen for four years.
Rule out extending Senedd powers or further constitutional referendums
Any extension of the Senedd's powers and further referendums on the constitutional settlement, including separation of Wales from the rest of the UK, will be ruled out.
Equality & Communities
Welsh Conservatives will tackle poverty primarily through economic growth and tax cuts rather than redistribution, promote inclusion for disabled people via an Autism and Learning Disability Bill, extend rights for older people through dedicated legislation, and deliver veteran-specific support across devolved public services.
10 pledges
Develop a Tackling Poverty Action Plan with child and fuel poverty strategies
A Tackling Poverty Action Plan will be developed including specific strategies to address child poverty and fuel poverty, with accountability mechanisms to track progress.
Introduce an Autism and Learning Disability Bill for Wales
An Autism and Learning Disability Bill will be introduced to provide autistic people with a clear pathway to diagnosis and a statutory right to receive timely services that meet their needs.
Incorporate UN Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities into Welsh law
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities will be incorporated into Welsh law to strengthen the legal framework for disabled people's rights.
Bring forward an Older People's Rights Bill with extended Commissioner powers
An Older People's Rights Bill will be brought forward to extend and promote the rights of older people across Wales, alongside extended powers for the Older People's Commissioner and a dedicated Minister for Older People.
Immigration
Welsh Conservatives will scrap the Nation of Sanctuary policy adopted by Labour and Plaid Cymru and work with the UK Government to stop illegal immigration, including supporting UK withdrawal from the European Convention on Human Rights.
2 pledges
Scrap Labour and Plaid Cymru's Nation of Sanctuary policy
The Nation of Sanctuary policy will be scrapped.
Work with UK Government to stop illegal immigration and support ECHR withdrawal
The Welsh Conservatives will work with the UK Government to stop illegal immigration and support UK withdrawal from the European Convention on Human Rights.
Local Government
Welsh Conservatives will devolve powers downward from Cardiff Bay to local communities, reform the local government funding formula for fairness, introduce three-year indicative budgets for councils, and give residents direct power to veto excessive council tax rises.
8 pledges
Establish new devolution framework devolving powers from Cardiff Bay to councils
A new devolution framework will be established in Wales to devolve powers downward from Cardiff Bay to local government and communities, reversing what the party characterises as relentless centralisation.
Allow residents to approve or veto excessive council tax rises via referendums
Residents will be given the power to approve or veto excessive council tax rises via local referendums.
Reform local government funding formula to ensure fair funding across Wales
The local government funding formula will be reformed to ensure fair funding is distributed across all parts of Wales.
Provide local authorities with three-year indicative budgets for forward planning
Local authorities will be provided with three-year indicative budgets to assist with medium-term planning and more effective service delivery.