FIRST MINISTER Eluned Morgan used her keynote speech at the Welsh Labour Conference in Llandudno to set out an ambitious vision for the future of Wales, warning of the rising threat from political rivals and highlighting the achievements of Labour governments in Cardiff and Westminster.
Addressing party members on Saturday (June 28), Morgan spoke passionately about her government’s record, from tackling NHS waiting times to investing in schools, childcare, social housing, and AI innovation.
“We lead not by size, but by spirit,” she said, claiming that Wales — under Labour — had consistently “punched above its weight” in values, services, and vision.
A call to action
Setting the tone for what she called a “moment of reckoning,” Morgan urged party members to prepare for a tough fight ahead of next year’s Senedd elections. She warned of the growing challenge from Reform UK, who she described as a “force of division,” and accused Plaid Cymru of voting with the Conservatives against recent Labour spending plans.
“This is not a moment to look away. This is the moment to look forward – a moment of maximum opportunity… and serious threat,” she told delegates.
Achievements and investment
The First Minister listed a string of Labour-led initiatives:
- A £445 million rail funding boost,
- £118 million for coal tip safety,
- New social homes and schools under construction,
- The reinstatement of the winter fuel allowance,
- And a 60% drop in long NHS waits since November.
She also announced a £2.5 million investment to develop a new AI department within Welsh Government and a forthcoming “AI Growth Zone” aimed at positioning Wales as a global leader in ethical artificial intelligence.
“Handled the right way, AI can help us deliver services that are faster, smarter, and fairer,” she said.
NHS and mental health pledges
Healthcare remained a central theme. Morgan cited personal stories of NHS success and promised Wales would become the “first country in the world” to offer open access to mental health support in the next Senedd term.
She defended the Welsh NHS model, contrasting it with what she claimed Reform UK would bring: “Privatised. Profit-driven. Out of reach for the people who need it most.”
A government under pressure
Despite the optimism, the speech came against a backdrop of real challenges. Wales continues to face some of the longest NHS waiting times in the UK, with mental health services under strain and local councils cutting services due to budget pressures.
While Morgan praised “power in partnership” between the two Labour governments, critics argue delivery remains inconsistent and that Labour’s long dominance in Wales risks appearing complacent.
A new £5 million “Tidy Towns Fund” was among the latest pledges, but many voters remain sceptical of announcements after years of austerity, rising costs, and a struggling health and care system.
Looking ahead
Morgan ended her speech on a defiant note: “I’m ambitious for Wales – and I know you are too. Not to catch up – but to lead.”
Labour now faces the difficult task of converting conference energy into public trust — and must respond to mounting pressure over service delivery, cost of living concerns, and an
