Leaked Cabinet memo highlights Labour's 'contemptible attitude' towards devolution

A leaked Personal Minute from the Prime Minister to Cabinet from 12 December 2025 highlights the UK Government’s contempt for devolution, the Plaid Cymru leader has said.

During today's First Minister's Questions in the Senedd (Tuesday 10th March 2026), Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth MS questioned the Labour First Minister over a leaked memo from the Prime Minister obtained by Plaid Cymru. 

The Prime Minister gave instructions to Cabinet Members to override devolved governments, which the Plaid Cymru leader says is a "direct assault on the democratic views of devolved governments."

The Prime Minister stated "we should be confident in our ability to deliver directly in those nations, including through direct spending, even when devolved governments may oppose this."

Only a week prior, Sir Keir Starmer said he was a “big believer in devolution” following criticism from several backbench Labour Members of the Senedd after the UK Government decided to bypass Welsh Government with their “Pride in Place” scheme, despite local government funding being devolved.

Plaid Cymru leader Mr ap Iorwerth criticised the Labour Secretary of State for Wales, Jo Stevens, for being complicit and said the Labour First Minister has failed to stand up for Wales.

Speaking in the Chamber, Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth MS said,

“I have here a personal memo from the Prime Minister to his Cabinet colleagues, signed by the Prime Minister, in which he actively encourages working against devolved governments if that furthers his Government’s interests. It says:

“‘..an overly deferential or laissez-faire approach to devolved government engagement almost inevitably creates political challenges or misses positive opportunities. We should be confident in our ability to deliver directly in those nations, including through direct spending, even when devolved governments may oppose this.’

“There we have it in black and white. Keir Starmer’s own version of Boris Johnson’s muscular unionism.

“Not only dealing with devolution in bad faith but undertaking a direct assault on the democratic views of devolved Governments.

“By staying ever loyal to him, the First Minister is aligning herself with efforts which undermine her own government.

“Why has the Labour party turned against devolution and why has the First Minister allowed the UK’s Labour Prime Minister to treat our Parliament, her government, and the people of Wales with such contempt?

He continued:

“When it comes to standing up for Wales, her ‘Red Welsh way’ has done nothing more than lead us up the garden path.”

“Setting aside the fact that this is clearly an overtly party political letter on headed government paper, it demonstrates beyond doubt that the loyalty of the Labour UK Prime Minister is to his party and his own government, even if his actions are deemed unacceptable by a democratically elected government in Wales.

“And the Secretary of State for Wales is complicit as the memo states that the Wales Office stands ready to assist – so you have a Welsh Secretary using her place at the cabinet table to bypass Wales.

“This memo was sent soon after Labour  backbenchers here wrote to the Prime Minister to vent their anger at his attitude towards Wales. What a disdainful response to their legitimate criticisms.

“The First Minister has run out of road when it comes to apologising for and defending the Prime Minister.

“Labour is now actively working against the interests of Wales in order to protect its own self-interest. Surely she must agree with me that the Prime Minister’s attitude is contemptible.”

- ENDS - 

THE DEVOLUTION OF THE CROWN ESTATES BILL

Plaid Cymru’s Crown Estate Wales Bill has passed its third reading (unopposed) in the House of Lords today, (20th January) this marks a symbolic victory for the long-running campaign to bring control of Welsh natural assets into Welsh hands. 

The Bill was first introduced by Plaid Cymru peer Dafydd Wigley, who has argued that Wales should have the same powers as Scotland over its Crown Estate. The legislation calls on the UK Government to devolve responsibility for the Crown Estate in Wales to the Welsh Government.

The Crown Estate controls large swathes of the Welsh seabed and coastline, as well as around 50,000 acres of land, generating significant revenue that currently flows to the UK Treasury and the monarchy rather than being reinvested directly in Welsh communities.

Despite the smooth passage of the Bill through the House of Lords, the Labour Westminster Government has clearly reiterated its opposition to any devolution of control of the Crown Estates. Lord Livermore, Financial Secretary to the Treasury, said ministers believe the current arrangements “provide the best outcomes for Wales and the wider United Kingdom”.

Plaid Cymru has signalled that the issue is far from settled. Llinos Medi, the MP for Ynys Môn, confirmed she will reintroduce the Bill as a Private Member’s Bill in the House of Commons. Whether it progresses will depend on whether the UK Government agrees to allocate parliamentary time.

Ms Medi has also pledged to table an Early Day Motion to increase pressure on ministers to allow the Bill to be debated. The move follows a failed attempt last year to amend the UK Government’s Crown Estate Bill.

Back in February 2025, Ms Medi proposed an amendment that would have given Wales parity with Scotland by devolving Crown Estate powers. The amendment was voted down, including by every Welsh Labour MP.

Since then, support for devolution has grown within Wales. All 22 local authorities have passed motions calling for the Crown Estate to be devolved, while a leaked Welsh Labour election strategy acknowledged that the party has “proudly made the case” for devolution, despite it not yet being delivered by the UK Government.

Dafydd Wigley, speaking after the Lords vote, said: “I am very pleased that this Bill, that I first introduced to the House of Lords in September 2024, has today passed its final stage. Plaid Cymru and I have consistently made the case that Welsh resources should be in Welsh hands, and I am glad to have secured support from across the House that this is the most logical way for Welsh communities to benefit from the wealth they generate.

“I now look forward to the Bill progressing to the House of Commons, where Llinos Medi will proudly present it. The UK Government should make time for the Bill’s consideration because it is what Wales deserves.

“When the Bill was passed in the Lords the government chief whip announced that ‘the King has signified his consent’, which is the normal procedure, but in the Commons the government will be pressing MPs not to make time for it. What would be really interesting would be if some Welsh Labour MPs were prepared to support it.”

Llinos Medi MP added: “The passing of this Bill in the House of Lords today ensures that the devolution of the Crown Estate to Wales is firmly back on the agenda here in Westminster. It remains deeply disappointing that not a single Welsh Labour MP supported my amendment to bring these powers into Welsh hands last year.

“This was a missed opportunity to stand up for their own constituents, who would directly benefit from ensuring that the wealth generated by Wales’s natural resources is retained and reinvested in our communities, rather than continuing to be siphoned off to London.

“For far too long, wealth has been extracted from our communities in Wales, and we have very little say over how it is managed or where the profits go. This Bill presents a real opportunity to begin redressing that historic imbalance. We only need to look at Scotland, which has had full control over its Crown Estate since 2016 and since then has reinvested millions of pounds each year back into local communities. Wales deserves the same parity of power.

“It is not only Plaid Cymru calling for this either – every single council in Wales has now voted in favour of these powers being devolved, demonstrating a clear national consensus. I therefore look forward to making this case once again to the UK Government when I reintroduce this Bill to the House of Commons as a Private Members’ Bill. The UK Government should make time for it, because Wales cannot be denied control over its own resources any longer.”

Last month, the Labour in Wales Welsh Government announced it was setting up a new expert group to examine options for reforming how the Crown Estate operates in Wales. The group, which first met in December, is exploring governance, accountability and the potential devolution of powers, reflecting growing momentum behind reform.

LABOUR NOT SERIOUS ABOUT WALES

In response to the Minister for Delivery’s comments on the devolution of rail to Wales where she stated "I'm not sure we're wanting the devolution of it," in a BBC interview this weekend, Plaid Cymru’s transport spokesperson, Peredur Owen-Griffiths MS said:

 

“This is an incredible admission from the Minister for Delivery that Labour in Wales don’t in fact want to see rail devolved to Wales after all.

 

“Westminster never have, and never will treat us fairly - our rail infrastructure has suffered from decades of neglect, and successive UK Governments have failed to deliver the fair funding Wales needs to improve its transport network.

 

“There’d be no u-turns with a Plaid Cymru government on this issue - along with keeping up the fight to demand the HS2 billions we’re owed, we’ll keep making the case that Wales should have full powers over its rail.”

 

- ENDS -

 

Nodiadau i’r Golygydd / Editor’s Notes

 

• Full story and Julie James MS, Minister for Delivery’s comments: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4g46m41kr5o

A BUDGET WITH A WHIFF OF PANIC

Not that long ago, if there was a budget leak then there might have been resignations, now in the run up to the budget lots of kites (ideas) are flown and various ideas appear from the ether to be be tested - before budget day - so very New Labour. 

The recent debacle over income tax increases is a case in point.

A Budget that’s been rewritten in panic will not deliver for Wales. With the Chancellor removing a major proposals barely two weeks before Budget Day – something which triggered a run on UK government bonds – if nothing else this suggests that there is something seriously wrong at the heart of this Labour in Westminster Government.

Our nation needs financial and political stability and needs the ability to plan ahead. A continually reshaped Budget - changed to stop or contain Labour infighting, will not meet the needs of Welsh communities. 

This is no way to run an economy, especially when devolved public services rely on predictable funding. Particularly when the uncertainty in pushes up borrowing costs, it’s our communities that pay the price.

Plaid Cymru has reiterated its call for a new fiscal settlement for Wales, including:

• Devolving the Crown Estate, allowing Wales to retain revenue from its natural resources,
• Fair funding for Wales, including the long-denied HS2 consequential payments,
• A tax system that treats income from wealth fairly, rather than placing the burden on workers through threshold freezes and stealth rises

 A budget that has been drafted in panic will always fail to deliver for Wales. Our nation needs a stable, ambitious plan shaped by Welsh priorities, not last-minute U-turns in London.

Only Plaid Cymru will fight for fairness for Wales from this Budget: fair funding, including the long-denied HS2 consequentials; a tax system that treats income from wealth fairly rather than stealth tax rises; and control over the Crown Estate so that profits generated from our natural wealth stay in Wales.

DEVOLVE JUSTICE AND POLICING POWERS TO WALES

The News that the Labour in Westminster government has decided to abolish the role of Police and Crime commissioners in England and Wales (Thursday 13th November 2025) was not that unexpected, as there have been some vague hints. 

While the timing of the abolition of the Police and Crime Commissioners while out of the blue, there is an opportunity to accomplish the full devolution of justice and policing to Wales.

At the moment, there are currently 41 commissioners under the system, which was introduced 12 years ago by the now former Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron.

Plaid Cymru has rightly long argued for the abolition of the role of Police and Crime Commissioners but called for the full devolution of justice and policing powers. 

The Party strongly believes that policing should not be politically motivated, and look to the establishment of a distinct Welsh legal system and would ensure that the police in Wales would be fully accountable to the Senedd. 

This would be a vital step towards building  a fairer Wales and a more confident self-governing nation.

For years Labour in Wales and their political masters Labour in Westminster have seriously dragged their feet on the devolution of justice and policing for Wales, and this is despite the fact that three independent commissions all fully supporting the transfer of justice powers to Wales.

If nothing else this shows that Labour in Wales have a complete lack go ambition for Wales. 

Over a quarter of a century has passed since devolution was reluctantly enacted by Tony Blair yet Wales remains the only devolved nation without its own legal system and powers of its police services, so much for standing up for Wales. 

Plaid Cymru have called on the Labour in Wales Government to formally request those powers and to stop waiting for Westminster’s permission to deliver justice for all of our communities. 

A Plaid Cymru government in Wales would firmly demand the powers to build a better justice system for Wales be devolved.

The Labour Government in Wales must now formally request those powers and stop waiting for Westminster’s permission to deliver justice for our communities. 

A Plaid Cymru government if elected next year can be expected to stand up for Wales and will demand the powers that are needed to build a fair and effective justice system that truly serves all of our people and our nation.

No doubt the Labour in Westminster Government will expect the Labour in Wales government to help replace the Police and Crime Commissioner system in Wales – yet it has refused that same government any powers over policing in Wales. 

I wonder whether the Secretary of State will now concede that the Welsh Government is actually best placed to take up control policing in Wales – and that the devolution of the entire justice system to Wales now makes the most logical sense. 

LABOUR’S MISSED OPPORTUNITIES

Yesterday, the Chancellor missed a real opportunity to chart a bold new path after 14 years of austerity. 

Even though Labour promised two governments working together, it appears the Welsh Government was sidelined yet again by the UK Government, as there is little good news for Wales in the budget.

Despite promising to 'get to grips with HS2', the Chancellor failed to deliver the billions owed to Wales. 

Additionally, by keeping cuts to the welfare budget planned by the Conservatives, failing to help pensioners keep warm this winter or bring an end to the two-child cap, this will still feel like austerity to many.

Wales deserves more than broken promises. 

Help Plaid Cymru to keep the pressure on Keir Starmer's Government to reverse their cut to the winter fuel payment, to protect vulnerable pensioners this winter, by signing the petition.

TIME TO CHANGE WALES

Wales is stuck in a rut under a very tired and very divided Labour in Wales government that’s clearly out of touch, out of ideas and out of time. With a struggling NHS, a stagnant economy, and falling school standards, the legacy of 25 years of Labour in power in Wales is clear – and it’s very clear that Labour in Wales is not working.

While I accept the fact that change can take time, and that it can be cumulative, its clear that successive Labour in Wales governments (even when nudged into activity by coalition partners) and pre devolutionary Secretary of States for Wales have simply tolerated the state of our economy and our public services. 

Yet this Labour in Wales government is refusing to take full responsibility for its record – or advocate that the UK Labour Government on behalf of Wales on things like fair funding, HS2 cash and power over the natural resources. Devolution in England is on the cards but enabling Wales is clearly not on Labour in Wales or Labour in Westminster’s agenda. 

Plaid Cymru is the only party truly championing Wales and advocating for its best interests, Under Rhun ap Iorwerth’s leadership, only Plaid Cymru offers any real ambition, any vision and the energy to turn things around, rebuild our services, and create a fairer Wales for everyone. It is time for fresh leadership, a new government with Plaid Cymru and some real and necessary change.

ONE POLICE SERVICE FOR WALES

As Labour in Westminster are looking to launch Austerity 2.0, and Labour in Wales are not doubt preparing to do what they are told, the October budget is going to probably bring in craft of cuts. Serious consideration should be given to creating an All-Wales Police force which can help regain trust, foster a better culture in Welsh Policing and reduce costs and bring efficiency savings. 

Now is perhaps the time to replace the existing four police forces with a one Wales force approach could lead to positive change in outcomes for victims, cut crime and create a new policing culture focused on Wales. A similar restructure in Scotland, where all police forces were merged into one in 2013, led to positive change after initial challenges.

Wales can certainly learn lessons from the success of Police Scotland’s merger back in 2013 in order to ensure that resources are distributed fairly and wisely between the regions, and that relations with forces in England remain strong to tackle cross-border crime. A single force would allow a more efficient service in terms of HR, ICT, training, procurement and all the other infrastructure which enables the police to do their jobs from day to day. 

The Strategic Review of Policing in England and Wales chaired by Sir Michael Barber has already recommended merging the back-office functions of all forces. Now is the time to take bold steps and ensure that the police are in the strongest possible position to keep our communities safe.

WALES AND THE NEW UNION

It is Interesting to note that Labour in Westminster initially said that they were going big on devolution in England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 but are remained fairly tight lipped if not literally silent on any further devolution for Wales e.g. The Crown Estates, Police and Criminal Justice, railways. etc 

Interestingly enough where this may get even more interesting is they one of the bills mooted in the Kings Speech - aims to bring the railways into state ownership. Now railways in Scotland are already effectively state owned - the state in question being Scotland.  And in Wales, as you would expect, only part of railways in Wales are devolved, and the rest of them run by three or four franchises.

I wonder if Labour in Westminster will simply ask for the devolved bit back? And if they do, I would suspect, based on Labour Wales’s timid behaviour towards the various former Conservative Westminster governments, simply expect the Labour in Wales branch office to quite happily hand the fairly limited control of railways in Wales back to Westminster. 

While policing is already devolved in some parts of England, and may well be devoted to new devoted regions in England there appears to be no chance of it being devolved in Wales by the current Labour in Westminster government - and it won’t even be asked for. While the creation of a council of the regions and nations is a welcome step up for the English regions, it’s clearly a step down for Cymru / Scotland and NI.  

Clearly Labour in Wales under its new leader has absolutely no intention of asking for even a portion of the revenue ( current and potential ) to be devolved to the Welsh Government in Cardiff. This may simply confirm that Labour in Wales has completed the transition from ideological to administrative and exits simply to administer rather than to innovate or even campaign beyond periodic rhetoric at election time. 

So much for making devolution work and kick starting our economy? Perhaps Labour in Wales’s lack of vision will lead to a new slogan different from the positively Orwellian “Stability is change” we may yet end up with “Shush! This is as good as it gets!”. It certainly does not have to be this way… Labour in Wales has run its course, bereft of any ideas or vision. Roll on 2026…

SAME OLD, SAME OLD

‘More of the same no longer an option’ says Plaid Cymru as Eluned Morgan becomes third Labour First Minister after party turmoil

Wales deserves change from Labour chaos, says Plaid Cymru Leader Rhun ap Iorwerth

 

Wales needs change from Labour chaos, Plaid Cymru have said, after Eluned Morgan was nominated as Labour First Minister of Wales earlier today.

 

The Senedd (Welsh Parliament) was recalled today (Tuesday 6 August 2024) and Eluned Morgan was nominated as First Minister of Wales – the third First Minister in this term.

 

Eluned Morgan became the leader of Welsh Labour last month after Vaughan Gething was forced to resign after just 118 days in the job after three ministers and the counsel general all quit at the same time.

 

Mr Gething and the Labour Government had faced months of controversy over dodgy campaign donations, a lost vote of no confidence, and questions around the sacking of a government minister following leaked government messages.

 

Plaid Cymru Leader Rhun ap Iorwerth said that this had not been an “orderly transfer” from one First Minister to another but the result of internal Labour party squabbles and scandals.

 

Mr ap Iorwerth said Labour had not been able to focus on serving the people of Wales as a result.  

 

Mr ap Iorwerth challenged the incoming First Minister on her party’s own record on the NHS, education and the economy and promised to hold the Labour government to account ahead of the 2026 Senedd elections.

 

Following the nomination of Eluned Morgan as First Minister of Wales, Plaid Cymru Leader, Rhun ap Iorwerth MS, said,

 

“On behalf of Plaid Cymru, I congratulate the First Minister on her election, and wish her well as she takes the reins and tackles the significant challenges that lie ahead.

 

“This is not an orderly transfer from one First Minister to another. For months, the Labour government that has governed for so long has found itself helpless when having to deal with scandal and internal squabbles, rather than being able to focus on serving the people of Wales. Wales deserves better than that.

 

“The new First Minister made it clear she was putting herself forward as a unity candidate but that was clearly unity for Labour, not for Wales. We still have no idea of the new First Minister’s priorities or what she wants to do in Government.

 

“Will she reset the relationship between the Welsh and UK Governments in a manner which amounts to more than a soundbite? On fair funding, the Crown Estate, HS2, the devolution of crime and justice, how does she intend to stand up for Wales?

 

“As former Health Minister, she must outline how she will reverse her own record which has resulted in the highest ever waiting times in the NHS. 

 

“On education when will the Labour Welsh Government put conditions in place to allow all our pupils to reach their potential after years of Wales lagging behind other UK nations? 

 

“What is the First Minister’s plan for safeguarding the future of Welsh steel and creating the high-skilled, well-paid jobs which are so desperately needed to boost the economy?

 

“Plaid Cymru will hold the Labour Government to account and outline our positive vision for change. More of the same really is no longer an option."

 - ENDS -