Welsh government attacks Starmer after promised June meeting fails to happen
The Welsh government has expressed disappointment that a meeting promised by Sir Keir Starmer with First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth in June is not taking place.
Shortly after the Senedd election, Downing Street stated the prime minister would meet this month with the devolved leaders from Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
A Plaid source mentioned that the administration attempted to arrange the meeting, but no date was agreed upon. A spokesman for the first minister attributed the delay to "instability in Westminster."
Downing Street commented: "The prime minister remains committed to meeting with the first ministers as soon as possible."
Ap Iorwerth and Sir Keir conversed in May following a historic Senedd election, which saw Labour unseated after two decades of governing the Welsh government, making Plaid Cymru the largest party in Cardiff Bay.
The two parties provided different accounts of the call at the time, with the Welsh government stating that Starmer was "open to a conversation" about granting the Senedd more powers.
A statement from Downing Street mentioned that the pair "discussed working together constructively in the national interest, including on easing the cost of living and our domestic response to the Middle East crisis, and agreed on the importance of partnership to deliver for the people of Wales."
"The prime minister invited the first minister to meet in person in June, alongside the first minister of Scotland and the first minister and deputy first minister of Northern Ireland, to continue discussions on shared priorities."
No meeting date was ever publicly confirmed. It was later revealed that the first minister had brought up independence during a conversation with the prime minister.
On Wednesday, the first minister’s spokesman stated: "It is disappointing that the meeting initially proposed for June is now no longer taking place.
"We remain determined to establish a constructive relationship with the UK government and to advocate for fair funding, alongside the devolution of policing, justice, welfare, the Crown Estate, and rail powers.
"The current instability in Westminster must not be allowed to hinder our ability to address the issues that matter to the people of Wales."
A UK government spokesperson said: "The prime minister remains committed to meeting with the first ministers as soon as possible, and our teams are continuing to work with theirs to agree on a suitable time in everyone’s calendars.
"In the meantime, there is regular and constructive engagement at all levels with devolved administrations as the government proceeds with delivering for people across the UK."
Meanwhile, in the Commons on Wednesday, the Labour UK government’s Welsh Secretary criticized the Plaid Cymru Welsh government for not confirming whether it "will support the UK’s full membership of NATO."
Jo Stevens had written to the government requesting a commitment to support Valor, a scheme to help veterans access care and support.
Finance Minister Elin Jones’ response letter, dated 8 June, stated: "I can assure you that the Welsh government is committed to upholding the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant and ensuring fair access to healthcare, housing, employment, education, skills, and training for veterans and their families."
In a statement, the Welsh government asserted: "Defense and foreign affairs are non-devolved matters reserved for the UK government. Wales is a member of NATO by default through the UK, and all strategic decisions – including NATO commitments – are made in Westminster.
"Any suggestion that the Welsh government has sought to undermine or withdraw support for the UK’s membership of NATO is therefore incorrect and misleading."
Head of Investigations
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