Welsh First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth has issued a formal demand for a “new deal” from the UK government, seeking constitutional changes that would place Wales on par with Scotland. In a 2,000-word letter addressed to Prime Minister Andy Burnham, ap Iorwerth requested the transfer of key responsibilities, including policing, justice, rail, and the Crown Estate, to the Senedd in Cardiff.
The demands were reiterated during a speech at Plaid Cymru’s annual conference in Llandudno. The gathering marks the party’s first conference since its historic victory in the May Senedd election, which ended Labour’s 27-year dominance of the Welsh government. Ap Iorwerth described the result as a “new dawn” for Wales but cautioned that the upcoming budget process would be challenging, requiring significant savings and disciplined fiscal management.
Addressing party activists, the First Minister emphasized his desire for a constructive relationship with Burnham while underscoring the need for mutual respect. “I’ve looked him in the eyes and said do not undermine Wales as a nation. Do not bypass our Senedd. And he looked me in the eyes and promised he would not. I will hold him to that,” ap Iorwerth stated.
He argued that the proposed devolution package was necessary to correct what he termed the “historic unfairness” of the current fiscal and constitutional settlement. Currently, Scotland exercises greater control over its internal affairs; in Wales, policing and justice remain reserved to Westminster, and rail governance is largely centralized.
Ap Iorwerth also criticized the UK government’s recent focus on devolving powers to English regions, accusing Burnham of pursuing a “devolution programme for England” that risks overshadowing Welsh interests. He warned that if the UK government failed to act, it would reinforce the perception that Westminster does not serve Wales’s best interests, regardless of the political affiliation of the prime minister.
The First Minister acknowledged the difficult economic climate, noting that Plaid Cymru holds 44 of the 96 seats in the Welsh Parliament. As a minority government, it requires support from other parties to pass spending plans next year. Ap Iorwerth ruled out ideologically driven cuts, accusing right-wing parties of defining savings through politics rather than practicality. Instead, he called for efficiency improvements and the elimination of duplication in public services.
On specific policy areas, ap Iorwerth insisted that Wales receive immediate additional funding for rail, rejecting delays until the 2030s. He also praised the emergency services for their work during the summer’s wildfires and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to tackling climate change complacency.
Addressing criticisms regarding the volume of reviews commissioned during the election campaign, the First Minister defended the approach as necessary to “fix the foundations.” He highlighted early achievements, including an immediate cash injection to address long NHS waiting times and the rollout of the UK’s most generous childcare offer, which will eventually cover children as young as nine months.
A UK government spokesperson responded by affirming its commitment to building “a stronger and fairer Wales within a stronger and fairer United Kingdom,” stating that the focus remains on empowering local leaders to drive growth and create jobs. Ap Iorwerth is scheduled to meet with Burnham, along with the first ministers of Scotland and Northern Ireland, later this month.
I worry this demands will strain an already tight budget. Will Cardiff really handle these powers without causing service cuts elsewhere?
Finally, someone is tackling the constitutional imbalance. Wales deserves the same control over policing and justice as Scotland.