To ask: if your are anti-Reform and in Wales...

[ConcernedForWales]

is tactical voting needed?

I am trying to work out if tactical voting is needed in Wales to keep Reform out, or whether the new PR system makes that approach redundant.

For example: if the local opinion polls show Plaid first Labour second, a vote for either will do the job? But anywhere where it is Plaid first, Reform second or vice versa, it has to be Plaid?

What do other anti-Reform people in Wales think?

YABU - tactical voting not needed under the new system

YANBU - it is still needed

(There are a few threads encouraging voting for Reform running at the moment, so assume this one is OK).

Yeah, I hate tactical voting but I'm worried enough to be voting for Plaid this time. I'd be voting Green otherwise, maybe Labour. A few opinion polls has Reform as the biggest party and I'm terrified of that...

If you Google stop Reform UK tactical voting tool you can get information specific to your constituency on whether a tactical vote is necessary to prevent a Reform win, and where to place it.

Me too. Although those polls also show Reform couldn't form a government even if in coalition with the Tories, so that is some comfort.

I tried that but the one I found said "advice pending. I guess it is more complicated in Wales because of the D'Hondt system.

Be careful voting plaid, i live in a plaid strong hold.
The council is corrupt, lazy and actually dangerous (Foden's reign of terror).

They also want to remove all choice of an English language education. I love that my DD is bilingual in her primary education but know many adults who have struggled at university due to their Welsh education and are staunchly in favour of English dominant secondary education. We live in a democracy within the UK, this is a choice that shouldn't be taken away from us.

Could you link to where Plaid has said that? Because it isn't in the manifesto. I just checked:

Welsh-medium education

Making full use of the powers in the Welsh
Language and Education Act, a Plaid Cymru
government will act to ensure every child has
the right to become a confident Welsh speaker.

We will grow the number and proportion of
children and young people receiving Welsh-
medium education, with a target of at least
50% of pupils in Welsh-medium education
by 2050, and ensuring that this provision is
well-resourced, accessible and inclusive.
We will strengthen Welsh-medium provision
in further and higher education.

Google Gwynedd council and you’ll see it’s happening there.

I live in North Wales and am struggling with this too. Off to do some more research as I dread Reform getting in.

Ah. I see the thread is attracting the Reform inclined.

The thread is about how best to vote in order to keep Reform out. There are plenty of threads at the moment talking up Reform, criticising Plaid etc.

Please share any info you find!

@Periperi2025 , I went to Welsh-medium schools and did not find university a struggle.
All students are taught English to GCSE level and the Welsh universities offer courses via Welsh or English, or if they don't they'll offer tutorials via Welsh.

There is nothing in the Plaid Cymru manifesto that says that school pupils will only be educated in Welsh.

I'm not in a Plaid stronghold but the Conservative-majority council is corrupt and bankrupt.

Reform getting in would be a disaster but I think we need to be ready for a number of reform MS in each constituency. I am struggling with not voting Labour as they have not been great but also not sure about Plaid. It will be a difficult decision. I think many people will vote Plaid who are not their traditional voters so longer term they may only get one term.

I must live near you. I have been here for years. I have learned Welsh although not completely fluent. My children went to Welsh medium schools and are fluent. I worked in the NHS for years. In the eyes of some people I am still a second class citizen. Promotion in education is linked to a group of men who are involved in rugby and have Welsh as their first language. Plaid is a funny mix, some liberal, left wing and environmentally conscious policies but also some very nationalistic rather than patriotic views. There’s a lot of nepotism and parochialism. Much as I dread reform getting any representation I will still vote Labour. In the last but one general election there was a very unfortunate situation in Ynys Mon where the vote was split almost exactly 3 ways and the Conservative candidate won. It’s tricky.

I don't believe in tactical voting and will always vote for who I believe will be the best candidate for the constituency.

I'd be inclined to vote for Plaid Cymru this time because I think they have a better leader, but given where I am the candidate will probably not win.

Also the media are driving a narrative that it’s either Plaid or Reform which is pushing people to a self fulfilling prophecy. Rhun Ap Iorweth is very media savvy and comes across well but take care.

The thing is, under the new system, we are not voting for candidates but for parties (unless the candidate is an independent).

Please provide evidence for this.

the issue is that many people do not understand the new system and how seats will be decided. It is not easy really. I really like the number 1 Green candidate for our constituency but not sure it is worth the vote. With each party fielding 6 candidates in each constituency you need to look at who their top 3 are to get an idea of whom is most likely to get in. So if you really like x but they are 6th on the party list they are unlikely to be an MS. I think!!!!!

It’s not something I am completely against but you can easily google the policy

I attached a screenshot but it’s under review

There's candidates not candidate then. I'm in a constituency where the Welsh areas are very Welsh and the other areas not at all.

I am really struggling to place my vote.

I’m also undecided between Labour and Plaid. My old constituency was a two horse race between Labour and the Tories with Labour holding comfortably over the last two elections but not sure about the new constituency.

So if Plaid are predicted to get 3 seats in a constituency then the top 3 people on their list will get those seats.

I'm also in Gwynedd and a welsh speaker. Ive always been a Labour voter and well aware of the issues at Cyngor Gwynedd. I work with various departments through my work.
Im struggling to choose who to vote for. Id actually welcome some canvassers but have only had Reform so far.
Ive met Rhyn Ap Iorwerth. He's engaging and likeable on the surface but I get the impression hes tricky.
Ive also met Llinos Medi. I preferred her as a person but she is very tight with Rhun and I get the impression she does what shes told.