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.
