First Minister to demand parity with Scotland in first Burnham talks
Nation.Cymru staff/agencies
Prime Minister Andy Burnham will hold his first face-to-face talks with Wales’ First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth today, with the Welsh Government set to press the case for greater powers and a fairer funding settlement.
The meeting in Glasgow, which will also include Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney, comes as the new Prime Minister begins engaging with the devolved governments following his election victory.
While Burnham has long backed further devolution, both Rhun ap Iorwerth and Swinney lead parties that support independence for their nations.
Ahead of the talks, the Prime Minister ruled out discussing independence referendums, saying his focus was instead on economic growth and improving living standards across the UK.
“When I say we need good growth in every postcode, I mean every postcode across the whole of the UK. Every place and every person matters,” he said.
“I’m not focused on point scoring or discussing constitutional changes like referendums, I want practical measures to help people live well and bring back hope.
“That’s why I’m giving families more breathing space with help on the cost of living, which I have started this week by taking VAT off electricity bills, saving money for millions of households.”
Rhun ap Iorwerth said he would use the meeting to argue that Wales should have powers comparable to those enjoyed by Scotland and to press for changes to how Wales is funded.
“I look forward to meeting the Prime Minister in Glasgow today. It is fitting that we meet in Scotland, as it underlines Wales’ case for parity of powers and a fairer funding model that reflects our needs,” he said.
“‘Number 10 North’ must not become just Whitehall with a different postcode. I agree wholeheartedly on empowering communities – it’s at the heart of my politics – but decisions affecting Wales should be made in Wales, and it is for the Welsh Government and our Senedd to work with the people of Wales on how power is exercised and shared within our nation.
“At a time when families are still feeling the pressure of the cost of living, I am also keen to discuss how our governments can work together as equal partners to deliver improvements to the lives of people in Wales.”
The Glasgow meeting will be Burnham’s first with the leaders of both Wales and Scotland since entering Downing Street and comes ahead of a wider tour of the UK, with meetings planned with Northern Ireland’s leaders next month.
The Prime Minister is also due to attend the opening ceremony of the 2026 Commonwealth Games while in Glasgow.
Criticism
The meeting follows criticism from Swinney over the expected appointment of Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar to the House of Lords and a ministerial role, with the Scottish First Minister accusing him of hypocrisy after previously saying he had no interest in joining the upper chamber.
Speaking on Wednesday, Burnham also suggested raising the income tax personal allowance could be considered at the Budget, although he made no immediate commitment to do so after reintroducing the £2 cap on bus fares in England as part of measures aimed at easing the cost of living.
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You will probably have to drag him kicking and screaming to the table to give us anything Rhun. Despite all the talk, he, like Starmer, will be indifferent to Cymrus needs
In the Guardian’s coverage of the £2 bus fare cap in England it reported “…with money allocated to allow devolved nations to do the same”.
That suggests that Burnham is either already trying to undermine devolution on week one, or he just doesn’t understand how it (and Barnett) works.
Worrying in both cases, and totally inappropriate for him to “suggest” how consequentials are spent!
..or just poor media coverage. Anyone worth their salt knows westminster can’t do that. Which do you think has got it wrong – a seasoned politician who has 30 years experience, or a junior guardian journalist who has probably never been out of London?!
Alexandra Topping is regularly described as a “senior reporter” at the Guardian. And given Andy’s first piece in Welsh media was wrong on what was devolved, and successive UK Govs have been pretty clueless, I’d say it’s more likely that they tried to spin Barnett consequentials as something they were actively doing to try to pressure the WG. So yes, I think it was the seasoned politician not the senior journalist making up quotes.
If you search for a grievance, you will find one!
We saw similar from politicians here when many demanded SEND/ALN consequentials be entirely spent on the same thing rather than putting £145m towards reducing waiting lists. Whether it’s a wilful attempt to turn devolution into a rubber stamping office or ignorance, it needs to be challenged. If Andy wants £2 fares across the UK he needs to negotiate a deal. And start with London currently offering cheaper fares that also undermines his vision for any flat fare across the UK.
It just shows how the size of the Welsh budget is dependent on the capriciousness of whoever sits in 10 Downing St.
Oh no don’t do that Rhun the Reform traitors in Wales will be spitting feathers. We don’t want more money we want less money now get on with it.
What sort of set-up is this when Cymru has to ask England if it can do this, that and the other? Can you imagine if you had to ask your nextdoor neighbour if you can do something in your own house because that, in reality, is the situation!! The continuation of this outdated dominance has to stop now. Why do we put up with it? Are we seen by the English as not capable and competent to run our own affairs? Why are they hanging on to us? Haven’t they already robbed Cymru of all it’s natural resources? There is… Read more »
It’s become increasingly apparent that Andy Burnham is a liar and that he is not the pro-devolution Prime Minister he has been made out to be. In fact, he is the Prime Minister of England, and England is his priority, not devolving powers as promised to devolved parliaments and assembly. I noticed that the closer Andy Burnham got to power, the giddier with excitement he seemed to become. He argued in 2020 that Wales was underfunded and changing Barnett funding would reduce inequality, but once in power he backtracked. Ever since UK Labour were elected to office they led to… Read more »
One country running another’s affairs is no form of democracy.
All Cymru will be offered is hot air.
Rhun, Cymru is burning for want of a bucket of water, do something, buy a multi-role helicopter, NRW have great fun flying theirs up and down the Mawddach, you had better get equipped for a future full of threats…
They keep us poor and down so they can say “look how poor and down Cymru is”. We go begging cap in hand for things we need so they can feel their power over us when they “No, now go away and be good little peasants over there. Know your place”. Like a comedy sketch.
Parity with Scotland and Northern Ireland would make the lives of confused overworked Whitehall administrators easier, and that’s reason enough. Won’t somebody think of the bureaucrats.
I see that Stephen Kinnock is “not entirely convinced” about the need for new powers. I decided I would withhold judgement and not assume that he must share Kinnock Senior’s views until I saw what he did. He says he’s “open to the conversation” so I’ll carry on for the moment. The Welsh Secretary role is of course very strange. Officially your loyalty is to “the Crown” whatever that is. You have to serve your party in Westminster or you’re out of a job. You are elected by people of Wales but so is the Senedd. The relationship between the… Read more »
It’s not just about parity with Scotland, but also Northern Ireland and with Westminster effectively acting as both the English and UK Parliament, the real issue is parity with everyone else.
Any attempt to ignore calls for further devolution will only play into Plaid Cymru’s hands. Recent polling suggests they are projected to win 25 out of 32 seats at the next UK general election, with Welsh Labour effectively wiped out. Changing leaders in Westminster does not automatically win back Welsh voters. Nothing says “establishment politics” in Wales more than the Kinnock name.