'Welsh Labour powerless under Starmer' - Plaid Cymru leader
Labour manifesto represents 'risk to devolution itself' says Rhun ap Iorwerth ahead of Laura Kuenssberg interview
The Labour manifesto’s complete disregard towards Wales has proven that Labour in Wales is powerless under Keir Starmer, Plaid Cymru’s Leader Rhun ap Iorwerth has said.
Shadow Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens has indicated that under a Labour UK government, Westminster will partly control post-Brexit funds, despite Keir Starmer previously pledging to restore decision-making to the Welsh Government.
Vaughan Gething's manifesto for the Welsh Labour leadership stated that he had secured a “commitment” by Keir Starmer to return the powers. Ms Stevens herself had previously criticised the Conservatives for “bypassing devolved competences” on post-EU funds.
Mr Gething’s manifesto had also criticised the HS2 project’s ‘England-and-Wales’ classification and called for fair funding to be allocated to Wales. Additionally, it supports the devolution of justice and policing powers, stating that it was “established Welsh Labour policy”.
None of these policies are in the UK Labour manifesto published this week.
Rhun ap Iorwerth said that the UK Labour Party’s dismissal of longstanding Welsh Government positions represented a risk to devolution itself.
Speaking ahead of appearing on ‘Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg’ on BBC One, Rhun ap Iorwerth said:
“Labour’s manifesto proves that the party in Wales is powerless under Keir Starmer.
“The complete disregard towards Wales shown in Labour’s programme for government exposes both Welsh Labour’s lack of influence and the UK Leader’s lack of ambition.
“There is nothing on devolving the Crown Estate, nothing on HS2 consequentials for Wales, and nothing on the devolution of justice and policing – all policies supported by Labour in Wales.
“To add insult to injury, Keir Starmer’s representative in Wales has confirmed that Wales’ post Brexit cash will still be controlled by Westminster.
“It’s an astonishing u-turn by Jo Stevens who not so long ago recognised that regional aid was a fully devolved competence. Now she’s backing the Tories’ power grab.
“Hot on the heels of calling a Senedd vote of no confidence in the Labour First Minister a gimmick, it appears that Labour’s manifesto is the biggest gimmick of all.
“Plaid Cymru has been clear and consistent in making the case for Wales to have a greater say over its own affairs.
“Many Labour politicians in Wales agree with us, but it seems that their words fall on deaf ears at their party HQ in London.
“This represents a risk not just to Wales’s interests but to devolution itself.
“Keir Starmer must understand that ignoring his Welsh colleagues is tantamount to undermining the principle that Wales has its own parliament and its own voice.
“It's high time the Tories were kicked out of power after 14 years of destructive policies, but we must also ask who speaks for Wales within Labour.
"Only a vote for Plaid Cymru on 4 July will lead to Welsh MPs who put the interests of our communities before the Westminster whip.”