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Starmer promises ‘durable’ settlement to unite UK in New Year speech – but doesn’t mention Wales

04 Jan 2022 3 minute read
Keir Starmer delivering his speech

Keir Starmer promised a “new and durable” constitutional settlement to keep the UK united in a New Year’s speech as his party finally lead in the polls – but focused on Scotland rather than Wales.

The Labour Party leader said that he would countenance  “no deal with the SNP going into an election, no deal with the SNP coming out of an election” as he laid out the party’s plan for the period before the next General Election.

He did not mention Wales by name but said that “security, prosperity and respect” were the values that “unite the whole of the United Kingdom” which was a “unique construct” of different national identities.

“It is complex and it can easily be exploited for political gain, as we have seen in Northern Ireland the government is playing fast and loose with the peace agreement as the price of getting Brexit done,” he said in a speech in front of a Union flag in Birmingham.

“And a reckless government in Westminster that does not seem to care about what happens in Scotland erodes people’s faith in our common bonds.

“But I believe in our union of nations. I believe we are better together than any of us would be apart. I believe that each nation can speak with a progressive voice.

“But we need a new and durable constitutional settlement. Which is why I am delighted that Gordon Brown’s Commission on the Future of the UK will chart a new course for our union of nations.”

Delivering his speech against the backdrop of a UK flag, he said that the Labour party was motivated by a desire to “bring the country together”.

“We do not bind a nation by emphasising what divides us,” he said. “We build a nation from the common bonds between us. Our high streets, our community centres, our places of worship, the spaces we share.

“The Labour Party is not a nationalist party. But it is a national party. Because a nation gives us a place to belong.”

Plaid Cymru Senedd Member Mabon ap Gwynfor responded to Keir Starmer’s comments about the Labour party being a “national party”.

“The Union Flag is the flag of a State made up of several nations,” he said. “Neither the UK nor GB are nations. So, which nation is Starmer referring to?”


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Leigh Richards
Leigh Richards
2 years ago

That ‘nation’ Starmer prattles on about is England – and telling that he doesnt even mention the nation that is Wales. And not sure quoting Gordon “British Jobs For British workers” Brown is the most sensible move

GW Atkinson
GW Atkinson
2 years ago

Welsh Labour are the only part of his party in power in the whole of the UK and he still refuses to mention our country. Establishment pr1ck. Absolutely zero respect for our country.

Glen
Glen
2 years ago

Someone should point out to Starmer we already have a British National Party, thanks very much.

Welsh_Siôn
Welsh_Siôn
2 years ago
Reply to  Glen

Only one?

Jack Bryn
Jack Bryn
2 years ago

Labour has exuded British Nationalism since they came on board with the call for people to rally around the Union Flag during World War One. Their ideology of Socialist Internationalism fell at that point and they became a centralising nationalist force, supportive of the British Empire. Surely nobody can be surprised to see Starmer proclaiming his slightly quirky view of his ‘nation’ and ‘country’ as he is overshadowed by the flag that says to the people to Wales “sorry, you aren’t represented on it, but you sure as hell are stuck with it”. Will people be taken in by this?… Read more »

defaid
defaid
2 years ago
Reply to  Jack Bryn

People will be taken in by it for as long as we confuse Llafur with Labour.

It’s very telling that Starmer refuses to mention the only part — on paper — of his party that’s achieved anything in the last decade.

I’ll bet he, as no more than the leader of an opposition, is constantly irritated by the fact that the First Minister of our government outranks him.

Barry Pandy
Barry Pandy
2 years ago

Well what a surprise. Wales is now, always has been and always will be the poor relation of the so-called ‘United’ Kingdom.

We will always be ignored and disregarded. This is our ‘reward’ for being loyal to the so-called ‘United’ Kingdom but also for being (largely) loyal to the Labour party. The truth is that they couldn’t give a damn about Wales. Sh@t on by Tories, shovelled up Labour.

Further proof (if it was ever needed) that we need independence.

Wrexhamian
Wrexhamian
2 years ago

We already have a nation, thanks, Mr. Starmer. What you’ve got is a state.

Arwyn
Arwyn
2 years ago

A curious political strategy from Starmer. We know that the Conservative Party has been overcome by anglo-British Nationalists. We also know that Johnson appealed to parts of the electorate with strong English identifiers which in part led to Labour losing their “red wall” seats. We know Labour poll well amongst those with “British” identifiers but poorly in the “English” group. Does Starmer believe that his attempt to park Labour’s tanks on the Tories’ lawn will win those voters over? What effect will that have in Scotland? I suspect he’ll have no choice but to reach an accomodation with the SNP… Read more »

Welsh_Siôn
Welsh_Siôn
2 years ago
Reply to  Arwyn

He has to make all these noises to somehow keep the (mostly, southern) English on-board for his ‘project’ to succeed. Whether he does or not, remains an open question – and I believe anything he attempts to pull out of a hat now is too late for Scotland. (I do not weep.) Although Blair succeeded i walking the tightrope successfully (a Scot who could pass for English and appeal to both North and South of England, subsequent Labour leaders have failed – and that is recorded in the General Elections since. Gordon Brown – too dour, too gloomy, too Scottish*… Read more »

Arwyn
Arwyn
2 years ago
Reply to  Welsh_Siôn

I think Starmer is trying to place his feet on two stools that have drifted apart since the days of Blair and continue to do so. That he is trying to play the part of the “serious British patriot” suggests to me that he and his team don’t understand the way in which the electorate has evolved even as much as the Tories do. “Muscular Unionism” is a dumb strategy – I’m not sure “Earnest Patriotism” is much better to be honest.

George
George
2 years ago

Starmer won the Labour leadership contest by promising to unite the party but since winning has been focusing on winning a general election and has been advised the way to do that is to appeal to Tory voters/voters in England. This advice is probably right – Wales is heading towards Northern Ireland status without the history due to recent boundary changes – and what we really need to know is what will Starmer be if his Labour party does win. Is his politics turning into “win England” with everywhere else an afterthought as Tories have been for a while now?… Read more »

Pawl
Pawl
2 years ago

Mae unrhyw un sydd wedi bod yn y Blaid Lafur yn gwybod beth yw gwerth addewidion Starmer

Glyn Morgan
Glyn Morgan
2 years ago
Reply to  Pawl

Sut?

Y Cymro
Y Cymro
2 years ago

If this slight doesn’t wake up Labour voters in Wales, I don’t know what will? And I wonder what’s Mark Drakeford’s opinion is that again his leader in London has erased Wales from his plans. The disrespect shown makes my blood boil! 🤬 Keir Starmer is a cardboard socialist who tries & fails to hide his Conservative tendencies. He like Tony Blair hates Wales with a passion and wants to eradicate Welsh nationhood. Labour cares not for Wales. Never have. We are their voter cow to milk every five years before sending us to the political slaughter house. And if… Read more »

Glen
Glen
2 years ago
Reply to  Y Cymro

And this is the party Plaid see as allies!

Last edited 2 years ago by Glen
Y Cymro
Y Cymro
2 years ago
Reply to  Glen

Firstly, there is a big difference between cooperating with Welsh Labour at the Senedd than English Labour in London. Two different beasts entirely. Welsh Labour fell short of a majority last Senedd election, and seeing the Welsh Tories delight in chaos, Plaid decided to hold its nose to ensure stability, but this came at a price. The implementation of its manifesto promises. A commission into further devolution, size of Senedd & independence comes to mind. Keir Starmer & English Labour would not do similar. Read on further to be enlightened. When it comes to Keir Starmer, English Labour’s neo- Conservative… Read more »

Last edited 2 years ago by Y Cymro
Richard
Richard
2 years ago
Reply to  Glen

Party politics is not a game as all parties chamge positions and views to suite getting above their natural base levels. For those of us seeking a better and more properous nation able to reflect the needs of our own communities through access to tje levers that allow or enable change – working with others – ‘ cyd weithio’ on agreed areas is needed. Most EU and European nations at state and ‘ regional ‘ levels work like this as do places like Australia and Canada at their local state levels. Outcome and Delivery rather than Postering in the Wilderness… Read more »

Geoff Horton-Jones
Geoff Horton-Jones
2 years ago

Steamer seems to be the son of Boris

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