Wales First Minister Demands 'New Deal' to Match Scottish Devolution

Key points

• Rhun ap Iorwerth sent a 2,000-word letter to Andy Burnham demanding a 'new deal' for Wales, specifically requesting control over policing, justice, rail, and the Crown Estate.
• Ap Iorwerth stated that Wales must be put on an 'equal footing' with Scotland, which currently holds more devolved powers, and warned Burnham not to bypass the Senedd.
• The Welsh First Minister acknowledged a 'difficult economic and fiscal backdrop,' warning that the upcoming budget will be 'tight' and require 'disciplined' savings and efficiency measures.
• Plaid Cymru, which holds 44 seats and lacks a majority, is in talks with Labour, the Conservatives, and Reform to pass spending plans, emphasizing a 'collaborative approach' free from ideological cuts.
• Ap Iorwerth supported Burnham's proposal to end the triple lock on state pensions from 2030 to fund a national care service, though he noted this policy affects England, while social care remains devolved in Wales.

Background

This demand follows Plaid Cymru's historic victory in the May 2026 Senedd election, ending Labour's 27-year control of the Welsh government. The party now holds 44 seats, five short of a majority, requiring coalition support to pass budgets. Previous interactions between Burnham and ap Iorwerth, including a meeting at the Commonwealth Games, were described as positive, but tensions have risen as Burnham's devolution plans focus heavily on English mayors. The UK government has stated it is committed to a 'fairer Wales' within a stronger United Kingdom, while ap Iorwerth has criticized the current fiscal settlement as historically unfair.

How outlets are covering it

BBC reports that ap Iorwerth directly confronted Burnham, demanding he not 'undermine Wales' or bypass the Senedd, framing the issue as a constitutional fairness dispute. Nation.Cymru highlights that while Plaid Cymru's Westminster leader, Liz Saville Roberts, welcomed Burnham's electoral reform and social care plans, she criticized the lack of detail regarding devolved nations in his Labour conference speech. Both outlets agree that Burnham's focus on English mayors and Westminster voting reform has left Wales feeling sidelined, with ap Iorwerth accusing the PM of having a 'devolution programme for England' that risks crashing against 'Offa's Dyke.'

Why it matters

The outcome of this 'new deal' negotiation will determine the extent of Welsh autonomy in critical areas like policing and rail, potentially reshaping the UK's constitutional balance. If Burnham fails to meet these demands, ap Iorwerth warned that Wales may conclude its best interests are not served by Westminster, potentially deepening political divisions. Additionally, the Welsh government's ability to pass a 'tight' budget depends on cross-party cooperation, making the fiscal and constitutional relationship with London a key factor in domestic stability and service delivery.

What to watch

Ap Iorwerth is expected to meet with Burnham, along with the first ministers of Scotland and Northern Ireland, at the end of October. The Welsh government will soon present its budget, which ap Iorwerth described as 'tight,' requiring 'disciplined' savings and collaboration with other parties. Burnham is also expected to set out options for the UK's long-term relationship with the EU later this year, a move Plaid Cymru supports but which remains distinct from the devolution demands.