Starmer Responds to Devolution Criticism After Memo Leak
The prime minister has defended his approach towards collaboration with the Welsh and Scottish governments following a leaked memo that prompted accusations of undermining devolution.
On Tuesday, it was revealed that Sir Keir Starmer instructed members of his cabinet in December to be prepared to make decisions and allocate funds across the UK's nations, even if such actions opposed the wishes of devolved governments.
During Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons on Wednesday, Sir Keir stated he would make no apologies
"for spending more money in Scotland or in Wales to improve people's lives".
The UK government affirmed its commitment to devolution, stating it is "fully committed to devolution and continue to work in genuine partnership with devolved governments".
Backbench Reaction and Welsh Labour Criticism
The leaked memo has caused discontent among backbench members of the Welsh Parliament, with two Welsh Labour Members of the Senedd (MS) criticizing its contents. One MS suggested that the position of Welsh Secretary within the UK government should be abolished.
Obtained by Plaid Cymru, the letter documented Sir Keir cautioning senior UK ministers against adopting an "overly deferential" stance towards devolved governments, which he claimed "almost inevitably creates political challenges or missed positive opportunities".
He emphasized,
"We should be confident in our ability to deliver directly in those nations, including through direct spending, even when devolved governments may oppose this."
Opposition Party Questions and Starmer's Response
During Prime Minister's Questions, SNP MP Stephen Gethins criticized the memo, stating it demonstrated a "muscular unionism Boris Johnson would have been proud of".
He asked,
"When Scottish and Welsh voters go to the polls, will he respect that decision?"
Sir Keir replied,
"I'm not going to make any apologies for spending more money in Scotland or in Wales to improve people's lives,"adding that there has been "record investment under this government into Scotland".
Welsh Labour MSs Express Disapproval
Cardiff Central MS Jenny Rathbone described the memo as "pretty disgraceful" but noted it was "from a past era." She attributed the memo's tone to Morgan McSweeney, the prime minister's former chief of staff who resigned in February.
Rathbone expressed hope that such attitudes have been left behind, emphasizing the necessity for governments to collaborate with mutual respect.
She stated,
"That memo absolutely doesn't demonstrate that."
Mick Antoniw, MS for Pontypridd and former counsel general for Wales, expressed anger over the memo, calling it "quite an underhand memo."
He described it as a resurgence of "backward, introverted politics - the sort of politics we had under the last Tory government," referring to the UK Internal Market Act (UKIMA), which became law during Boris Johnson's premiership.
Antoniw claimed the law, which permits the UK government to spend money on matters typically governed by devolved administrations, was "brought in to actually undermine" devolution.
He called for a "change of direction at UK government level," while acknowledging "a lot of positives" have resulted from discussions between First Minister Eluned Morgan and Sir Keir.
Antoniw, who, like Rathbone, is standing down at the Welsh Parliament election in May, also expressed expectations that Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens "respect devolution."
He characterized the Wales Office as a "pre-devolution set-up" whose functions require redefinition, stating,
"at the moment I don't think there is any great clarity."
When asked about the necessity of a Welsh Secretary, Antoniw replied,
"No, I don't think we do."
Defence of Welsh Secretary and Government Statements
An anonymous Welsh Labour MP defended the Welsh Secretary, saying,
"Jo has been the most effective and hard working Secretary of State for Wales we've ever had. She has ensured Wales has not just a voice or seat at the cabinet table but is listened to and has helped shape policy in our interests."
A UK government spokesperson stated the government "always has and always will deliver on the priorities of people across all four nations of the UK and as the memo makes clear, this is a priority for the prime minister and cabinet."
They added,
"We are fully committed to devolution and continue to work in genuine partnership with the devolved governments, while delivering directly across the UK where we have the powers and responsibility to do so."
A Wales Office spokesperson said the office and the Welsh Secretary "carry out a crucial role representing the interests of Wales within the UK and around the cabinet table, helping drive economic growth, encouraging inward investment and ensuring that the devolution settlement functions correctly for the people of Wales."
Opposition Parties Respond
Reform UK commented,
"People in Wales want functioning public services and real change. Labour and Plaid have totally failed to deliver that."
Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Jane Dodds remarked,
"After 26 years of Welsh Labour running Wales and a Labour government now in Westminster, the public is watching Labour argue with itself over devolution instead of getting on with the job."
