First Minister says she is fighting for ‘more control’ over Wales Crown Estate assets, as she marks 100 days in office
Emily Price
Eluned Morgan has marked her first 100 days as First Minister by confirming that she is pressing the UK Government to devolve the Crown Estate to Wales.
Baroness Morgan became Wales’ first female First Minister in August following several months of scandal under the former Welsh Labour Leader Vaughan Gething.
She says that during her short time in office she has delivered “concrete action” for Wales’ communities.
Marking the milestone on Thursday morning (November 14) the FM took phone calls from the Welsh public on the BBC’s Nicky Campbell radio show.
During the show she was grilled by a caller from Barry who asked how she could defend millions from Wales’ crown estate land and seabeds being “funnelled into the pockets of billionaire royals in London.”
Commitment
The Crown Estate is an independent company which belongs to the monarch for the duration of their reign.
Revenue from its £16bn property portfolio flows directly to the UK Treasury.
The estate’s Scottish assets were devolved to Scotland in 2016, and its revenue now goes to the Scottish Government.
Labour in Wales have consistently claimed devolving the Crown Estate is a firm commitment of theirs.
Bold action
Caller Owen Williams demanded bold action from the First Minister to “put Wales first” and described her title – Baroness Morgan of Ely – as “laughable”.
The First Minister hit back saying the caller sounded like he was “looking for independence for Wales” adding that this was “not the space I’m in at all”.
She said she was “fighting very hard” to have “more control” over Wales’ Crown Estate assets.
Speaking on the programme, Baroness Morgan said: “You talk about the sea bed for example. There is real opportunities in Wales for us to exploit the opportunities of offshore wind for example and that’s all owned by the crown estate.
“As it happens I had a meeting with the chief executive of the Crown Estate just yesterday and once again I made it clear for him that you know I want to see this devolved.
“I do want us to see us having power over this. I think it’s unfair and I’ll keep on making that point the UK government.
“I know there’s a UK labour government with a Labour government in Wales but my job is to stand up for Wales and when there are opportunities to to make that case I will make them loud clearly as I did yesterday.”
‘Disconcerting’
The caller said he found it “disconcerting” that when the FM was faced with a question about the Crown Estate – her instant assumption was that the person must be looking for independence.
He said: “The fact is that 25 years after the Senedd was established, we are still crawling towards control of our own wealth while unfair funding models and the billions withheld from Wales thanks to HS2’s laughable classification as an England and Wales project keep our nation struggling.
“Our communities cannot afford the glacial pace of this 25 year Labour government while these billionaire royals continue to grow richer.”
The Welsh Government says Baroness Morgan has racked up a list of achievements during her first 100 days in power including completing the roll-out of free school meals and providing above-inflation pay awards to thousands of public sector workers.
The First Minister said: “There is a long list of achievements – but it will be longer, as we continue to deliver for the people of Wales. We have lots more to do and there is much more to come.
“The path ahead isn’t easy. We face huge challenges, but we will face them together, as one Wales.”
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I bet she does!!!
Fighting for Wales lol. Oh sure Eluned. You are a hoot. Welsh Labour couldn’t fight their was out of a bag made of tissue paper let alone stand up to London. She forgets. Throughout the 25 years Welsh Labour has been in power numerous First Ministers have similar claims and how a UK Labour government at Westminster would be more favourable. Out of interest. Who’s in power now prey tell? I’ll give you a hint. LABOUR!! Are the wheels in motion to devolve control over our Crown Estate, Policing , Criminal & Youth Justice system not forgetting other levers &… Read more »
The UK government listens to Scotland: The SNP led government stands-up for Scotland in parliament. UK Labour listens to Northern Ireland as the largest party is Sinn Fein and the SDLP are also for an united Ireland. UK Labour: “….fighting for more control”, The caller was only stating that the assets owned by the Crown Estates ARE part of Wales and are therefore the property of Wales. Does the FM actually believe the Crown Estates are already part owned by Wales ? She has had that experience from money owed from the HS2 as an English only project. The UK… Read more »
Old jug ears wont like his piggy bank being raided. Or pay taxes…..
At least he makes what he pays in tax public, whereas his lad declines to do so.
Not sure that’s quite right John Carlo has private wealth from the Dutchie of Lancaster which he refuses to disclose accounts in relation to.
Very good program by Channel 4 dispatches recently highlighted not only the obscene wealth that these people are getting but there continued refusal to make account public.
I wonder why 🤔
I’m just going by what I’ve read.
Did he pay inheritance tax?
Cornwall pays No1 heir now its Lancaster when the shiny hat is passed down, e.g. if you die intestate in those counties, it goes to the duchy and it is a lorra wonga.
‘Eluned Morgan has marked her first 100 days as First Minister by confirming that she is pressing the UK Government to devolve the Crown Estate to Wales.’
The real test will surely be what she says and does when the powers-that-be down in London just say ‘no’.
Lord Livermore was quite categorical that there will be no devolution of Crown Estate by UK Govt, so where is Eluned getting her script from.
What is FM going to do about the 4;Welsh Councils being sued for bad advice by Bankrupt, Thurrock Council, the 4, Cardiff, VoG, Swansea and Flintshire are members of APSE who Thurrock are suing.
Thurrock claim that every member of APSE are liable which is most local authorities in England and Wales. However, they have chosen to only to sue a select few which includes Swansea, Vale of Glamorgan, Cardiff and Flintshire. The claim relates to bad advise on the valuation of council owned solar farms. Land asset values can go up as well as down and it is claimed that there was over-valuation as a result of councils who are members of APSE making over generous valuation. It only becomes apparent when you go bust, like Thurrock, and have to sell assets. Regardless… Read more »
Paper bag, paper tiger and purely any fighting for me, me ,me…