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A leaked memo has revealed that Sir Keir Starmer advised senior UK ministers to be willing to override the preferences of the devolved governments in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland when making decisions. The prime minister emphasized that cabinet members should not hesitate to spend funds in these nations, even in cases where the respective governments might object. This directive underlines a firm stance on ensuring UK government initiatives proceed regardless of opposition from devolved administrations.
Downing Street has dismissed claims from Plaid Cymru that the memo undermines the principle of devolution. The controversy was brought up during a session of the Welsh Parliament, where Rhun ap Iorwerth, Plaid’s leader, accused the Labour party of abandoning devolution and criticized First Minister Eluned Morgan for her support of Sir Keir Starmer. A source from Downing Street responded by asserting the UK government’s commitment to delivering benefits across all four nations while respecting the reserved responsibilities within devolved areas, maintaining a stance of partnership and mutual respect.
In the memo, Sir Keir Starmer highlighted the importance of the upcoming Welsh and Scottish elections in May, suggesting they would significantly influence governance at the UK level in the latter half of the parliamentary term. He stressed the need for professional and respectful relationships with devolved government counterparts but warned that excessive deference could lead to political difficulties or missed opportunities. Starmer encouraged confidence in direct delivery and spending in the devolved nations, even when such actions encounter resistance from their governments. The guidance also referenced the UK Internal Market Act (UKIMA), which enables the UK government to fund policies typically controlled by the devolved administrations, such as local council projects in Wales.
The memo has drawn criticism from figures such as Mick Antoniw, a former counsel general from Labour, who described the approach as showing a lack of understanding around devolution and deemed it unacceptable. He suggested that the memo bore the influence of Morgan McSweeney, Sir Keir’s former chief of staff who resigned earlier that year. In response to the controversy, Rhun ap Iorwerth accused Starmer’s approach of mirroring the “muscular unionism” style associated with Boris Johnson, describing it as an attack on the democratic mandates of devolved governments. First Minister Eluned Morgan defended the respect afforded to devolution and acknowledged instances where direct UK government involvement within Wales was appropriate, such as with the Wylfa project. She also dismissed the Plaid leader’s objections as a distraction from more pressing issues for people in Wales. Meanwhile, UK officials criticized Plaid’s reaction as a cynical misinterpretation, emphasizing that the memo aimed to encourage better collaboration between the UK and devolved governments
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