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Eleven Welsh Labour politicians have publicly challenged the UK Labour government over what they describe as an erosion of devolution in Wales. They criticized the central government for circumventing the Welsh ministers in Cardiff Bay by directly initiating decisions affecting Wales. The dispute centers around a scheme announced by Sir Keir Starmer’s government designed to allocate funds to local councils for improvements in town centres, including repairs to bus shelters and the provision of bins. This scheme, however, sidesteps the Welsh government, which traditionally oversees and finances local government functions in Wales.
The letter, endorsed primarily by backbench Members of the Senedd (MSs) and former ministers—though no current ministers signed—expresses growing unease about the UK government’s approach to devolution. It particularly condemns the Pride of Place town centre improvement programme as being imposed from Whitehall without adequate engagement with the Welsh authorities. The signatories also take issue with the use of the Internal Market Act, a controversial law from the previous UK government, which grants Westminster powers to intervene financially in devolved matters. The Welsh government opposed this legislation in the courts, viewing it as an undue encroachment on their devolved powers.
The letter accuses the UK government not only of failing to advance promised reforms, such as increased funding formulas, devolved policing, rail infrastructure, and Crown Estate powers, but of actively undermining the current devolution settlement. It describes the UK government’s actions as “deeply insensitive” and even a “constitutional outrage”, suggesting that if a Conservative government had taken similar steps, calls for judicial review would be widespread among Welsh Labour members. The letter insists that Wales deserves to be treated as an equal constituent nation within the UK, and that the UK government must respect this principle.
Within Welsh politics, responses to the letter have been sharply divided. Some Labour MSs accuse signatories of posturing and harming party unity ahead of the upcoming election, while a Labour MP expressed anger at what she called opposition to “vital investment into Welsh communities.” Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Jane Dodds and Plaid Cymru’s Mabon ap Gwynfor both echoed concerns about Westminster’s approach and Labour’s internal struggles. Meanwhile, former counsel general Mick Antoniw, one of the letter’s signatories, also criticized proposals to eliminate jury trials for certain offences, calling it an attack on fundamental rights and warning it could politically backfire for the UK government.
BBC Wales political editor Gareth Lewis points out that the criticism from these Welsh Labour backbenchers highlights a fundamental tension between party loyalty and defending devolution. While the signatories argue they are prioritizing Wales over party politics, opponents view this public dissent as damaging to the party’s image and cohesion just months before the Senedd election. The dispute underscores deeper unease about Westminster’s role in devolved affairs and raises questions about the future of Labour’s political fortunes in Wales
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