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Sir Keir Starmer has responded to criticism from a number of backbench Labour Members of the Senedd (MSs) by emphasizing his strong support for devolution. During a visit to Ely in Cardiff on Friday, he dismissed allegations that he was undermining devolved powers in Wales by circumventing Senedd ministers and making decisions directly for Wales. Speaking as he launched the UK government’s child poverty strategy, Sir Keir stated, “I’m focussing on those people that we need to deliver for. For me that trumps everything.”
Earlier this month, a letter signed by senior Labour Senedd members and former Welsh government ministers voiced concern over the UK government’s use of the Pride in Place scheme. This scheme channels funding to councils for town centre improvements, a move the signatories described as a “constitutional outrage” because it bypasses the Welsh government, which traditionally manages and finances local government matters in Wales. The letter has faced criticism from other members within Labour’s Senedd group and some Welsh MPs, who have contested the claims.
Darren Jones, Sir Keir’s chief secretary, defended the UK government’s record in Wales during a news conference following a British-Irish Council summit hosted by the Welsh government in Cardiff. Jones highlighted Wales’ recent “record breaking” funding agreement and praised the cooperation between UK and Welsh Labour governments, describing it as a “very clear record of success” over the last 18 months. He pointed to examples like new AI growth zones, development of small modular nuclear reactors at Wylfa in Anglesey, and increased rail investment as evidence of progress. Jones added that the UK government is “very proud of our Pride in Place support for local communities.”
At the same event, Welsh First Minister Eluned Morgan reinforced the collaborative nature of the relationship between the UK and Welsh governments, noting, “I raised the issue with the prime minister last week – we work together on these issues.” She described the partnership as positive and ongoing, highlighting that the child poverty strategy launch in Wales symbolized this cooperation. In contrast, Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth accused Welsh Labour of being in “complete disarray,” claiming their own backbenchers were critical of the so-called partnership for failing Wales. Welsh Conservative leader Darren Millar also expressed dissatisfaction, stating that having two Labour governments “damaging Wales” is twice as problematic, and lamented that infighting over Senedd powers distracts ministers from addressing everyday issues faced by people in Wales. The British-Irish Council, where these issues were discussed, was established under the Good Friday Agreement in 1999 and includes governments from the UK, Northern Ireland, Ireland, Wales, Scotland, and the Crown dependencies
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