Sir Keir Starmer has responded to critiques from several Labour Members of the Senedd (MSs) by affirming his strong support for devolution.
During a visit to Ely in Cardiff on Friday, the Labour leader refuted allegations outlined in a letter suggesting he was undermining devolution by circumventing Senedd ministers in decisions affecting Wales.
In Wales to introduce the UK government’s child poverty strategy, Starmer stated, “I’m focusing on the people we need to deliver for.”
“For me, that trumps everything,” he added.
The letter, signed earlier in the month by senior Labour Senedd members and former Welsh government ministers – though not by current ministers – voiced concerns.
Specifically, it labeled the use of the Pride in Place scheme to allocate funds to councils for town centre improvements a “constitutional outrage,” alleging it bypassed the Welsh government, which typically manages and funds local governance in Wales.
The letter has faced strong criticism from within Labour’s Senedd group and from some of the party’s Welsh MPs.
Sir Keir was accompanied on his visit by the First Minister of Wales, Eluned Morgan.
Morgan acknowledged being “aware” of the letter, but declined to specify when she learned of it.
She also refrained from commenting on whether the letter was written with her consent or sent without her knowledge.
Morgan stated that she had discussed the matter with the Prime Minister a week prior and would “continue to talk to him about it.”
“Our position remains as it has been for a significant amount of time,” she added.
“We believe that areas that are devolved should be respected, and clearly that conversation will continue.”
When asked if she still maintained control over her backbenchers, she responded, “I absolutely do.”
Darren Jones, Sir Keir’s chief secretary, also defended the UK government’s record in Wales.
He stated that Wales had benefited from a “record-breaking” funding arrangement and insisted that the UK and Welsh Labour governments had created a “very clear record of success” over the past 18 months, “delivering for Wales.”
Jones addressed reporters’ questions at a news conference following a British-Irish Council summit hosted by the Welsh government in Cardiff.
He argued that the past 18 months had demonstrated the “power of two Labour governments working together for the people of Wales.”
Jones cited the announcement of new AI growth zones, the construction of new small modular nuclear reactors at Wylfa in Anglesey, and increased rail investment as examples of achievements.
He affirmed the UK government’s pride in its “Pride in Place support for local communities.”
Ms. Morgan, seated alongside Jones at the news conference, stated, “Our position as a government has always been very clear on this.”
“I raised the issue with the Prime Minister last week – we work together on these issues,” she said.
“We have a very good relationship, and we continue to discuss,” she added, highlighting the launch of the child benefit poverty strategy in Wales as evidence of this collaboration.
However, Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth asserted that Welsh Labour was in “complete disarray, with Eluned Morgan’s own backbenchers calling out the so-called ‘partnership in power’ for failing to deliver for Wales.”
“The people of Wales are fed up of being taken for granted by these two Labour governments, who continuously put party before country,” he said.
Darren Millar, leader of the Welsh Conservatives, commented: “One Labour government damaging Wales was bad enough; now we have two, and things are twice as bad.”
“After two damaging budgets, we now have Welsh government ministers focused on infighting about Senedd powers instead of fixing the everyday problems people in Wales are facing.”
The British-Irish Council was established in 1999 under the Good Friday Agreement and comprises the governments of the UK, Northern Ireland and Ireland, Wales, Scotland, the Isle of Man, Jersey, and Guernsey.
Additional reporting by Teleri Glyn-Jones
Sir Keir Starmer heard the criticism when he attended the latest meeting of the British Irish Council (BIC) in Cardiff.
A report finds Welsh government plans to wind down greyhound racing have a “lack of robust data”.
The health secretary says the aim is to tackle a rising demand for services and pressure on the NHS.
Labour ministers will commit to the start date next week after previously watering down the new protection.
The £140m upgrades to Cardiff Central aim to support passenger growth and reduce overcrowding.