Starmer calls for more devolution at Welsh Labour conference
Sir Keir Starmer has called for more devolution as he addresses the Welsh Labour conference.
In a keynote speech at the gathering in Llandudno, the UK Labour leader said it is time to use the “spirit of devolution” to “transform Britain, give the communities and great nations of this country the powers they need to control their destiny”.
“Here in Wales, it’s fair to say you know the difference Labour can make better than other parts of Britain.”
He urged delegates not to “forget how the Tories meted out the pain to Wales over 13 years”.
“…we need to meet the forces of division with renewed hope,” he added.
“That’s what our five national missions are all about. I will never accept that this country is destined for decline, that our best days belong to the past. Success is all around us, it just needs direction.”
Economic destiny
The leader of the UK Party also pledged that a Labour Government would give Wales control over its “economic destiny” by returning powers to Cardiff over the replacement for EU aid.
He told party members: “The argument is simple, the decisions which create wealth in our communities should be taken by people with skin in the game.
“The Tories have used the Brexit process to take back control of that money. Not from the EU – from Wales. It’s an outrage.”
He said “the next Labour government will return power over its economic destiny to Wales”.
“The decision-making role for the Welsh government on structural funds, will be restored. It’s time for Wales to take back control.”
The Welsh government administered £375m a year on average when the UK was in the European Union.
The cash has been gradually wound down and will end this year, with the planned replacement, the Shared Prosperity Fund, controlled by the UK government.
Sir Keir added there is an “impatience for change and national renewal” and “the British people are turning to Labour to provide it”.
The politics of restoring hope is hard as the change offered “must also be credible” and “working people have had enough of false promises.”
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…as my children’s other mother would say “Is he gonna do that though?” (You should hear her say the word “school”, sounds amazing…and I cannot replicate it, the Llay area accent is one of the best)
Did N.C get a call saying change that awful Fascist image of Clark Kent ?
oh dear what was wrong with your first choice of screen grab…
Can someone remind me, the W symbol is it an American far-right identifier?
BBC Sport on the endangered list…one more episode Mr Attenborough…
Are we getting control of criminal justice in Wales? No. Are we getting control of broadcasting in Wales? No. Are we getting full control of all energy projects in Wales? No. In short Sir Keir and his party arent going to give Wales anything meaningful.
If he calls for more devolution then why not independence? This is just the British Unionist Labour Party wanting to keep control over the party in Wales. Both Labour and Tories are two sides of the same coin.
English! Britons = British. And last time I checked, the English are Anglo, not Britons. Yma O Hyd!
Devolution is a trick, it’s made to make the Welsh believe they have a say, in their own country they do, however on the international stage…England does all the talking for us, or lack there of. Why do the Welsh and Scots fall for it? No to Devolution, Yes to Independence!
In the ’90s – after the last decade and a half of Tory rule, that left the country broken and divided, Labour promised devolution to try and mend the mess. However, as much as it smoothed the waters a bit – 1/ Westminster was still Westminster and the poverty continued in Wales and 2/ England love the Tories, so sooner or later they will be back in, undoing any work Labour had achieved. Ultimately, at the very least, unless England stops voting Tory in the future and a full commitment to leveling up the country is followed – Wales will… Read more »
I see the ‘ crumbs ‘ are arriving from Sir Kier of Islington
In 1997 why did New Labour fail to change the UK constitution into a federal constitution with written rights for all member states and countries with the rights to hold independence referendums (an article 50)? – there was their chance. ** They blow it ! ** Not, even a change to Single Transferable Votes (STV) at all elections. No, they wanted to use Wales, for its resources and to back up Labour failures to keep English people, such as in Essex, Kent and Buckinghamshire out of the Tory grip. Welsh people want control and rights over our own laws, immigration… Read more »