Andy Burnham Announces Devolution Plans in Manchester
Andy Burnham revealed proposals for devolving power from Westminster during an event in Manchester on Monday.
First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth Responds
First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth expressed willingness to give the MP for Makerfield, widely anticipated to become prime minister, the "benefit of the doubt" regarding the prospect of increased powers for Wales.
Burnham addressed an audience in Manchester, stating his readiness to devolve additional powers to the UK's nations and England's regions.
Ap Iorwerth noted he was "yet to hear" specific details on how Burnham would empower Wales' devolved institutions and observed "signs" suggesting Burnham might seek to bypass the Senedd and Welsh government.
Details of Burnham's Proposals
Burnham indicated a desire for powers to be devolved "deeper down" within Wales. While the exact meaning was not clarified on Monday, a Labour source indicated this referred to delegating powers to local councils.
He also announced plans to establish a "No 10 North" office responsible for devolution matters, relocating some Downing Street functions to Manchester.
Ap Iorwerth commented that such a move would mean "very little" to people in Wales, emphasizing the necessity of empowering the Senedd to "take Wales forward."
Plaid Cymru advocates for Wales to have powers equivalent to Scotland, with Welsh Liberal Democrat David Chadwick criticizing Burnham for leaving Wales at the "back of the queue."
Burnham's Vision for a 'Rewired Britain'
Speaking at a museum in Manchester, where he previously served as mayor, Burnham outlined a vision for a "rewired Britain" that redistributes power away from central government.
"It is time for Whitehall to accept that growth cannot be ordered from the top down," Burnham said, promising "the biggest rebalancing of power our country has seen."
His speech primarily focused on English regions and did not include specific commitments to devolve new powers to the Welsh government based in Cardiff.
However, he declared the end of "Whitehall fighting" against devolution to English regions and UK nations.
"The job of No 10 North will be to make power flow into the Midlands, into the south-west, into the east of England and yes into London," Burnham said, citing examples of English regions he intends to empower.
"It will be about offering new opportunities to extend devolution in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland by taking power deeper down," he added.
"The people of Dundee and Bangor feel just as distant from Holyrood and the Senedd as they do from Westminster."
Burnham also pledged "good growth in every postcode," with powers targeted at areas undergoing industrial transition such as Port Talbot, Scunthorpe, and Aberdeen.
Political Context and Reactions
The pro-independence Plaid Cymru party defeated Labour in the May 2026 Senedd election, forming a minority government thereafter.
During the campaign, Rhun ap Iorwerth called for increased powers and funding, including the devolution of railways, the Crown Estate, policing, and justice.
Most of these demands were shared by the previous Welsh Labour government but not supported by the UK government under Sir Keir Starmer.
Burnham's team has previously dismissed reforming the Barnett Formula, the system governing Welsh government funding, a stance ap Iorwerth described as "rather a bad start."
First Minister's Comments on Future Engagement
Speaking to BBC Wales, ap Iorwerth expressed a desire for a "very constructive relationship" with Burnham.
He emphasized that the Senedd and Welsh government should be "respected," and stated that "currently we are yet to hear how far Andy Burnham is willing to go on that road towards empowering us on behalf of the people of Wales."
"When he's talking about a No 10 of the North that was to an audience in Manchester.
"I hope that he will be willing to engage in a way that we need a UK prime minister to engage, on a real understanding that the institutions that we have - the Senedd, the Welsh government, have to be empowered if we are to take Wales forward.
"So far, we haven't heard that from him. I'll do what I can to help."
Ap Iorwerth also noted "signs" that Burnham might want to bypass the Senedd and Welsh government but added, "at this point he's not prime minister yet. I want to give him the benefit of the doubt there."
In a statement on Monday, ap Iorwerth said:
"A Number 10 of the North will mean very little to the people of Wales."
Welsh Labour and Local Government Perspectives
Ken Skates, interim leader of Welsh Labour, stated ahead of Burnham's speech: "We need devolution within Wales, not just to Wales, ensuring power is closer to communities."
Skates, who was seated in the front row during the event, told BBC Wales that Burnham's commitment to devolve power "deeper down" implies "making sure that power is devolved to the most appropriate level."
"That we shouldn't have a centralised state in Wales, just as we shouldn't have a centralised state at a UK level at Westminster," Skates said.
Under the current Welsh devolution settlement, local government responsibilities lie with Cardiff Bay.
Anthony Hunt, leader of the Welsh Local Government Association and a Labour politician, expressed hope that Burnham's speech would translate into increased funding for Welsh councils but cautioned against excluding the Welsh government from discussions.
"The UK government should not just 'see Welsh government' when it comes to Wales because there was 'another level of government too'," Hunt said.
"We all need to get together and have a conversation about how this will work. I understand how the Welsh government has been left out before and that is not healthy."
Additional Commentary from Political Figures
Mick Antoniw, former counsel general and ex-Labour minister, described Burnham's speech as "good" but noted the need for "a lot more substance."
"Devolving deeper is only one part of a workable and cohesive reform, unless the outstanding constitutional dysfunction is addressed reforms will fail."
Welsh Liberal Democrat MP David Chadwick criticized Burnham's plans, stating:
"Andy Burnham says he wants to take power out of Westminster, yet today's plans appear to leave Wales once again at the back of the queue compared to English regions."
Reform Wales Leader Dan Thomas commented:
"The people of Wales and the wider United Kingdom did not vote for more constitutional change or another round of devolution debates.
"The British people were not given the opportunity to choose Andy Burnham as prime minister. If he intends to pursue a fundamentally different agenda, including further devolution, he should return to the people and seek a fresh mandate."
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