Senedd election: what it means for RCPsych in Wales

The recent Senedd election provides an opportunity to reflect on what the election results mean for mental health policy in Wales.

The 2026 Senedd election marks a historic shift, ending Labour’s dominance of Welsh politics. Plaid Cymru is now the largest party with 43 seats in an expanded 96 Member Senedd, ahead of Reform (34), Labour (9), Conservatives (7), Greens (2) and Liberal Democrats (1). With no party reaching the 49 needed for a majority, Plaid has formed a minority government and the Senedd will operate through negotiation.

While the result appears fragmented, the path to governing is narrower. With limited viable alliances, passing legislation and budgets will depend on cooperation between Plaid and Labour. For RCPsych in Wales, this shift increases the importance of a collaborative approach to influencing, requiring engagement with both government and opposition.

We are starting from a strong position with the new Welsh Government. Mabon ap Gwynfor MS (Cabinet Secretary for Health and Care) and Delyth Jewell MS (Deputy Minister for Social Care, Mental Health and Women’s Health) are well known to us, and we have established working relationships with both. This provides a solid foundation for early engagement and positions the College as a trusted partner as the new government sets its priorities.

Despite the political change, mental health stands out as an area of strong cross-party consensus. All parties share a focus on improving access, reducing waiting times, strengthening early intervention, supporting CAMHS, improving neurodevelopmental pathways, expanding perinatal provision, and addressing workforce pressures – creating real opportunities to advance shared priorities.

Alongside this, the overall direction of travel is already well established. The Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy (2025–35) provides a clear framework, with RCPsych in Wales identified as a key delivery partner, and a new 10-year Dementia Strategy is expected later this year. It is unlikely the new government will seek to undo this progress; instead, the emphasis will be on delivering and building on existing commitments, giving us a strong platform to continue influencing.

This continuity also changes the nature of the challenge. The debate is less about what needs to happen, and more about how it is delivered. Questions of funding, prioritisation and implementation will be central, particularly in the context of budget negotiations.

For RCPsych in Wales, this means focusing on shaping the Programme for Government and key Senedd business, keeping implementation front and centre, embedding psychiatric expertise in decision making, and prioritising the workforce. A central part of this will be supporting our members to engage with policymakers and share their expertise. Through this combined approach, the College can help turn political commitments into meaningful improvements for patients, ensuring that ambition is grounded in clinical insight and matched by workforce capacity.

Overall, while the new Senedd is more complex, it also offers significant opportunities; with mental health a shared priority and collaboration central, RCPsych in Wales is well placed to influence policy and delivery over the next four years.

If you’d like to hear more about our policy and public affairs work, or get involved, please contact Dafydd Huw, Policy and Public Affairs Manager, at dafydd.huw@rcpsych.ac.uk. 

This article was included in our May 2026 eNewsletter.