Winning the Welsh Attention War: Plaid Cymru vs. Reform

Plaid Cymru, a Welsh political party, can counter the rising influence of Reform UK in Wales by adopting an "attention strategy" similar to one successfully employed by Zohran Mamdani in New York City's mayoral primary. The author argues that Reform UK, despite lacking specific Welsh policies, gains traction through social media dominance and provocative rhetoric. To combat this, Plaid Cymru, particularly its leader Rhun ap Iorwerth, should focus on authentic, local storytelling and relentless, personal online presence to connect with voters and "flood the zone with hope," rather than negativity. The article suggests that ap Iorwerth's deep connection to Wales can be a powAerful asset in this modern "attention war."