Meeting Cancellation Disappoints Welsh Government
The Welsh government has expressed disappointment that a meeting promised by Sir Keir Starmer with First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth, originally scheduled for June, is not taking place.
Following the Senedd election, Downing Street announced that the prime minister would meet the devolved leaders from Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland during this month.
A Plaid Cymru source indicated that the administration had attempted to arrange the meeting but no date was agreed upon. A spokesman for the first minister attributed the cancellation to what was described as "instability in Westminster."
Downing Street responded by stating:
"The prime minister remains committed to meeting with the first ministers as soon as possible."
Background of the Meeting and Previous Discussions
Ap Iorwerth and Sir Keir held a conversation in May, shortly after a historic Senedd election that ended Labour's two-decade governance in Wales and established Plaid Cymru as the largest party in Cardiff Bay.
The two parties provided differing accounts of that call. The Welsh government reported that Starmer had expressed he was "open to a conversation" regarding the possibility of granting the Senedd additional powers.
Downing Street released a statement summarising the discussion:
"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 public announcement of a confirmed meeting date was made. It later became known that the first minister had raised the topic of independence during his conversation with the prime minister.
Statements Following the Meeting Cancellation
On Wednesday, a spokesman for the first minister stated:
"It is disappointing that the meeting initially proposed for June is now no longer taking place.
We are still determined to establish a constructive relationship with the UK government and to press the case 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 hamper our ability to pursue the issues which matter to the people of Wales."
A UK government spokesperson commented:
"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 a suitable time in everyone's diaries.
In the meantime, there is regular and constructive engagement at all levels with devolved administrations - as the government gets on with delivering for people right across the UK."
Welsh Secretary Criticises Plaid Cymru on NATO Support
Meanwhile, in the House of Commons on Wednesday, the Labour UK government's Welsh Secretary criticised 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 Welsh government requesting a commitment to support Valor, a scheme designed to assist veterans in accessing care and support.
Finance Minister Elin Jones responded in a letter dated 8 June, stating:
"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 an official statement, the Welsh government clarified:
"Defence 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."
