April 17, 2026 - 200 views
Community and Voluntary Support Conwy (CVSC) was pleased to host the 2026 Senedd Election Hustings at Neuadd Ni. The event was chaired by CVSC Chief Officer, Elgan Owen, and brought together candidates, third‑sector organisations, and members of the public for an open and respectful discussion on issues affecting North Wales.
All political parties standing in the new enlarged constituency were invited. An apology was received from the Monster Raving Looney Party, while no response was received from the Heritage Party or the Socialist Labour Party despite an open invitation.
The 2026 election takes place in a new context, with newly drawn constituency boundaries and the extension of the vote to 16‑ and 17‑year‑olds. These changes framed much of the evening’s conversation, with a strong focus on accountability, inclusion, and the future of public services.
Summary of Candidates’ Positions
Jaime Fitter – Communist Party of Great Britain
Emphasised opposition to any marketisation of the NHS, calling for fully public health services and adequate statutory funding. Raised concerns about the Third Sector being used to plug systemic gaps in provision.
Elfed Williams – Plaid Cymru
Highlighted a commitment to a distinctive Welsh NHS, stronger regional planning, and co‑production with the Third Sector through long‑term funding arrangements.
John Clark – Reform UK Wales
Focused on efficiency, patient choice, and ensuring public funding is linked to measurable outcomes.
Tomos Iwan Barlow – Wales Green Party
Presented a rights‑based and preventative approach, opposing market models within the NHS and calling for sustainable funding for the Third Sector as a strategic partner.
Janet Finch‑Saunders – Welsh Conservatives
Drew attention to expanding patient choice and the use of cross‑border capacity to address waiting lists, emphasising value for money and efficient delivery.
Joanna Stallard – Welsh Labour
Emphasised a commitment to a public and integrated NHS, recognising the vital role of the Third Sector in prevention and early support, alongside clear statutory responsibility.
Leena Sarah Farhat – Welsh Liberal Democrats
Focused on fairness, transparency, and service‑user involvement, calling for clearer pathways for neurological care and more stable funding for the Third Sector.
Reflections
The hustings highlighted broad agreement on the pressures facing public services in North Wales, alongside clear differences in policy approaches. Contributions from the audience reflected high expectations around accountability and values‑based decision‑making.
CVSC thanks all candidates who attended, CVSC staff and volunteers, Bayside Radio for recording the event, and everyone who contributed to a constructive and respectful discussion.
Roedd Community and Voluntary Support Conwy (CVSC) yn falch iawn o gynnal Husting Etholiad y Senedd 2026 yn Neuadd Ni. Cafodd y digwyddiad ei gadeirio gan Brif Swyddog CVSC, Elgan Owen, a ddaeth â’r ymgeiswyr, sefydliadau’r trydydd sector, a’r gymuned ehangach ynghyd ar gyfer trafodaeth agored a pharchus ar faterion sy’n effeithio ar gymunedau Gogledd Cymru.
Anfonwyd gwahoddiad at bob plaid wleidyddol oedd yn sefyll yn yr etholaeth newydd fwy. Derbyniwyd ymddiheuriad gan y Monster Raving Looney Party, ond ni dderbyniwyd ymateb gan The Heritage Party na’r Socialist Labour Party, er gwaethaf gwahoddiad agored.
Mae Etholiad y Senedd 2026 yn nodi newid pwysig, gyda ffiniau etholaethol newydd a’r bleidlais bellach ar gael i bobl 16 a 17 oed. Cyfeiriwyd at y cyd-destun newydd hwn drwy gydol y noson, gyda phwyslais ar atebolrwydd, cynhwysiant a dyfodol gwasanaethau cyhoeddus.
Themâu Allweddol
Bu’r ymgeiswyr yn ymateb i gwestiynau ynghylch:
A ddylid cyflwyno Right to Choose yn y GIG yng Nghymru
Sut i sicrhau bod datganiadau ansawdd ar gyfer cyflyrau niwrolegol yn arwain at wasanaethau effeithiol i gleifion yng Ngogledd Cymru
Sut y caiff y Trydydd Sector ei drin fel partner cyfartal mewn atal ac ymyrraeth gynnar, yn hytrach nag fel dewis rhatach i wasanaethau statudol dan bwysau
Crynodeb o Safbwyntiau’r Ymgeiswyr
Jaime Fitter – Communist Party of Great Britain
Pwysleisiodd wrthwynebiad i unrhyw farchnadeiddio o’r GIG, gan alw am wasanaethau iechyd cwbl gyhoeddus a chyllid statudol digonol. Mynegodd bryder ynghylch defnyddio’r Trydydd Sector i lenwi bylchau systemig.
Elfed Williams – Plaid Cymru
Amlygodd ymrwymiad i GIG Cymreig unigryw, cynllunio rhanbarthol cryfach, a chyd-gynhyrchu gyda’r Trydydd Sector drwy drefniadau cyllido hirdymor.
John Clark – Reform UK Wales
Canolbwyntiodd ar effeithlonrwydd, dewis cleifion, a sicrhau bod cyllid cyhoeddus yn gysylltiedig â chanlyniadau mesuradwy.
Tomos Iwan Barlow – Plaid Werdd Cymru
Cyflwynodd ddull hawliau-seiliedig ac ataliol, gan wrthwynebu modelau marchnad yn y GIG a galw am ariannu cynaliadwy i’r Trydydd Sector fel partner strategol.
Janet Finch‑Saunders – Ceidwadwyr Cymreig
Tynnodd sylw at ehangu dewis cleifion a’r defnydd o gapasiti trawsffiniol i fynd i’r afael â rhestrau aros, gan bwysleisio gwerth am arian a chyflenwi effeithlon.
Joanna Stallard – Llafur Cymru
Pwysleisiodd ymrwymiad i GIG cyhoeddus ac integredig, gan gydnabod rôl hanfodol y Trydydd Sector mewn atal a chymorth cynnar, ochr yn ochr â chyfrifoldeb statudol clir.
Leena Sarah Farhat – Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol Cymru
Canolbwyntiodd ar degwch, tryloywder, a chynnwys defnyddwyr gwasanaeth, gan alw am lwybrau cliriach ar gyfer gofal niwrolegol a chyllid mwy sefydlog i’r Trydydd Sector.
Myfyrdodau
Amlygodd y Husting gytundeb eang ar y pwysau sy’n wynebu gwasanaethau cyhoeddus yng Ngogledd Cymru, ynghyd â gwahaniaethau clir mewn dulliau polisi. Roedd cyfraniadau’r gynulleidfa yn adlewyrchu disgwyliadau uchel o ran atebolrwydd a gwneud penderfyniadau ar sail gwerthoedd.
Mae CVSC yn diolch i’r holl ymgeiswyr a fynychodd, i staff a gwirfoddolwyr CVSC, i Bayside Radio am gofnodi’r digwyddiad, ac i bawb a gyfrannodd at drafodaeth adeiladol a pharchus.
