UK Labour accused of ignoring Wales by former Welsh Government minister

A former Welsh Government minister has accused UK Labour of ignoring Wales.

Alun Davies, the Member of the Senedd for Blaenau Gwent, said it failed to “include Wales” in its messaging about a speech today by Keir Starmer where he promised more devolution.

The tweet about the UK Labour leader’s plans yesterday included references to Scotland but did not include any references to Wales.

Starmer will promise to “push as much power as possible away from Westminster” with a new round of devolution if elected.

Mr Davies said: “Shame they didn’t think to include Wales in this tweet. I fear that it is symptomatic of a wider failing. But let’s see what happens.”

‘Very broken’

Professor Mark Barry said: “Whitehall/Westminster is very broken and I no longer trust any London based political party to act in Wales best interests (and @UKLabour are as complicit re Brexit as @Conservatives) @WelshLabour and @WelshConserv need to become independent of their London masters.”

The tweet from the UK Labour Party said: “Tomorrow, Keir Starmer will make his first major speech on Scotland, devolution and the United Kingdom. Tune in at 11am to watch live, here.”

Keir Starmer said: “I believe in that core Labour principle that we achieve more together than we do alone.

“All four nations working together to build a more open, more optimistic and outward-looking country.”

“A United Kingdom that’s a force for social justice and a moral force for good in the world.

“That’s why I’m so determined to preserve and to renew the United Kingdom.”

The latest poll for Welsh independence, in November, puts support at a record high of 33 per cent, and membership of the grassroots pro-independence group YesCymru has rocketed to over 16,000.

This move by Labour comes as a new poll show that support for Scottish independence has equalled its record level of 58 per cent when undecided voters are excluded.

The research by Savanta ComRes for The Scotsman is the 17th study in a row to show majority support for leaving the UK, with just 42 per cent backing the Union. Backing for independence first turned the tide in June.