First Minister calls for ‘new chapter for devolution’
Wales needs a ‘new chapter for devolution’ underpinned by fairer funding and stronger powers, the First Minister will say today (22 January) as she sets out an agenda for constitutional reform.
In a keynote speech to the Institute for Government, Eluned Morgan will argue that Wales would benefit from a rebalanced devolution settlement that guarantees a fair share of UK funding and gives the Welsh Government greater control over key public services.
The First Minister will call for Wales to receive fair funding allocations for rail, research and investment, warning that the current system continues to leave the country at a disadvantage compared with other parts of the UK.
Central to her proposals is a call for a new Constitutional Reform Act that would legally protect devolution and prevent powers being rolled back without the consent of the devolved administrations.
She will also propose the creation of an independent oversight process to ensure funding is distributed fairly between Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and England.
Speaking ahead of the address, the First Minister said Wales must automatically receive its “rightful share” of UK-wide spending.
“As part of our new chapter on devolution, we have to ensure that UK-wide frameworks enable innovation,” she will say. “I am proposing a new independent adjudicator to ensure financial fairness across the nations.”
She will argue that Wales should, as a minimum, receive a Barnett share of all UK-wide investment funding, particularly in areas such as rail infrastructure, justice, and research and development.
“The new chapter must be underpinned by a ‘fair share formula’ so that Wales automatically receives its rightful share of UK resources in critical areas like rail, justice, and research and development,” she will add.
The First Minister will also reiterate the Welsh Government’s long-standing demands for further devolution, including responsibility for policing, rail services, youth justice and probation.
Crown Estate
She will again call for the transfer of Crown Estate powers to Wales, arguing that control over seabed and energy assets is vital for the country’s economic future.
In addition, she will urge the UK Government and the Chancellor to make permanent Wales’ full access to its financial reserves, saying greater flexibility is needed to manage public finances effectively.
“That’s what the Welsh Government I lead does and that’s what the next chapter is about,” she will conclude, framing her proposals as a push for a more mature and equitable devolution settlement within the United Kingdom.
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What I’d describe as ‘Better late than never’ But why, oh why, Eluned were you not this definite and insistent when you first became First Minister? Your party might have been in a far better position if you’d stood up for Wales and forced Starmer to listen
Nice try – but the UK party and British nationalists like Jo Stevens have made it clear they intend to ignore Welsh Labour into oblivion.
Sorry, it’s too late. Your party is heading into political oblivion come May.
Actions speak louder than words.
We had a weak Welsh government when she took over and we still have one despite what she says.
Can’t betray the fact though that you’re a unionist party. That means that you’re happy for Wales to be an English colony. So no vote from me (ever!)
You are a bit late to the party baroness. So all the things you have slated Rhun for you are now advocating Too little too late
‘… Eluned Morgan will argue that Wales would benefit from a rebalanced devolution settlement that guarantees a fair share of UK funding and gives the Welsh Government greater control over key public services.’
Worth the try, I suppose. But the history in recent years suggests that her arguments won’t be seriously heeded at Westminster.
The only time a unionist party ever mentions fair funding or protection of devolved matters, is when either they need help in a hung parliament, or when pro Indy parties are looking like controlling the devolved Govs. Then, and only then, do they offer titbits to head off what they see as the possibility of a fracture in the union, then when all settles down, its back to the old ways, and the introduction of things like the “internal market Bill” introduced by the Tory’s and used, but not reversed by Labour. We have seen and heard it all before.… Read more »
Yes Eluned. Please feel free to swing in behind Rhun to achieve these things.
Empty rhetoric. What does “rightful share” really mean? This is the problem with the political debate in Wales – no one ever defines what they actually want (other than unlimited funding on demand which is delusional).
A population share of “England and Wales” rail funding for starters.
The Baroness has spoken but no doubt the Governess in Llundain ain’t listening. Will be interesting seeing if Eluned gets behind Plaid on these very same proposals should Plaid come to power in the Senedd come May!
There needs to be an independent statutory body tasked with identifying and correcting shortfalls across the UK with jail time for central government civil servants who conspire to enrich their personal favourites like Oxbridge and London.
It shouldn’t be up to opposition politicians to point out that the £45bn in rail funding promised to the north of England being 100 times greater than the £0.45bn committed to Wales is an abuse of power.
Come on Eluned, stop messing about- give it up and join Plaid Cymru.
The bass necked cheek of this is astounding. It can be nithing more than either a confession of her true feelings (so why is she still a Labour politician?) or a totally cynical attempt to keep a few votes from Plaid. I can just imagine the scorn she will receive from the Viceroy (aka Jo (uneven)Stevens)!!
The word she’s trying to think of is independence.
It’s all good Welsh Labour Eluned Morgan calling for a “new chapter” in devolution, but since Welsh Labour was reelected have promised in numerous manifestos how they would seek further devolution but continually failed. And yes, we had a hostile Conservative government in office their excuse why. I accept that. But that cannot be said of UK Labour, a party Welsh Labour promised would be more favourable to further devolution, who would work as an equal partner with the Senedd. The irony is. Since 2010 when there was a Conservative/Liberal Democrat coalition, devolved more power to Wales , and that… Read more »
She was on BBC Radio 5 this afternoon,
talking about lowering waiting lists and giving Wales more after Mays election, but ignoring her 10% polling last week.Well she and her Party have said “no” on a variety of issues over the past five years, and thousands of people are saying it back to her.
Is there an election due? Promise them anything and everything sad really grasping at straws.
In a made-up statement Whitehall today announced a new policy designed to improve taxpayer value for money and government efficiency. Herewith and henceforth all official references to “England and Wales” will be replaced de facto and de jour by the term “England”. A spokesperson said that by removing these eight letters it had been estimated departments will save an astonishing 40% in printing costs whenever these words are used. The spokesperson added that further efficiencies were being considered by replacing “England” with “London” with additional cost savings of upto 15% thought possible. The London-based spokesperson concluded that taxpayers should be… Read more »