First Minister Eluned Morgan apologized to patients enduring long waits for NHS treatment in Wales during a live televised election debate on S4C, after being pressed by an audience member whose friend had waited five years for hip surgery.
"Of course I'm willing to apologize. I'm very sorry to hear that," Morgan said, acknowledging that waiting lists grew during the pandemic. The apology came as figures published earlier Thursday showed the Welsh government had missed its own targets for reducing wait times.
Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth faced scrutiny over his party's flagship policy to expand free childcare, which he said would cost an extra £400 million per year by the final year of the next Senedd term. When pressed on funding, he said it would be a "matter of reprioritization," drawing criticism from Morgan, who accused him of dishonesty about where cuts would fall and claimed the policy would benefit millionaires.
Reform UK deputy leader Helen Jenner was challenged on her party's plans for public services. She denied suggestions from ap Iorwerth that Reform UK wanted to privatize health services, and dismissed his references to previous comments by Nigel Farage, saying he was "obsessed with Nigel." Jenner also addressed a video in which Farage described Welsh speakers as "foreign speakers," calling it a joke she would not have made.
Welsh Conservative deputy leader Paul Davies pledged his party would "cut a penny off the basic rate of income tax," worth £450 per family annually. He rejected claims a "magic money tree" was needed, saying the UK government would contribute to an M4 relief road around Newport.
Green Party representative Tessa Marshall highlighted her party's plan to freeze private rents, but audience members warned it could prompt landlords to sell properties, worsening housing shortages. On Welsh independence—which the Greens support—Marshall said building a "civic society" was essential first.
Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Jane Dodds reiterated her refusal to work with any party that spends money preparing for independence, calling it a "red line." She also proposed raising income tax by an extra penny if necessary to fund social care, though she did not specify the duration.