Darren Millar, leader of the Welsh Conservatives, will use a speech at the party's conference in Birmingham on Sunday to challenge the First Minister's emphasis on independence, urging him instead to prioritise public services and the governance of Wales.
In remarks prepared for the Conservative Party gathering, Millar will reaffirm his party's commitment to preserving the United Kingdom and declare that "Britain needs Badenoch", backing his party leader Kemi Badenoch for the role of prime minister.
The intervention follows First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth's recent statements at a Plaid Cymru conference, where he called for a "new deal" for Wales from the UK government and declared there was "no turning back" on the independence journey. Earlier this year, ap Iorwerth wrote to Prime Minister Andy Burnham requesting devolved powers over policing, justice and rail infrastructure, signalling his administration's push for greater autonomy.
Millar returned to the expanded 96-member Welsh Parliament following May's Senedd election with a group of seven members, representing a decline of nine seats from the previous parliament. During the election campaign, various polls had indicated the party faced the prospect of significant losses, partly attributed to the growing support for Reform in Wales.
What does Millar's speech contain?
According to a copy of his speech reviewed by a national broadcaster, Millar argues that the Welsh government must concentrate on improving public services and maintaining the relationship between the four constituent nations of the UK. He states his party
"will never allow"the break-up of the union.
Millar contends that
"A plan to draw a slate curtain between Wales and the rest of the UK will cause more harm than good for our children and future generations."He points to rising NHS waiting lists and claims that Welsh businesses have
"continued to struggle"since Plaid came to power, suggesting that ap Iorwerth has instead chosen to
"cosy up to the SNP and Sinn Fein."
This reference alludes to a recent summit in Cardiff where the three nationalist first ministers met to discuss constitutional change. According to the joint memorandum signed at that meeting, each nation will determine its future "in its own way and in its own time", with ap Iorwerth declining to provide a timetable for a Welsh referendum.
Millar accuses ap Iorwerth of signing
"a pact to promote the break-up of our United Kingdom."He notes that the gathering was
"seized upon by Vladimir Putin's foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, who gleefully spoke up on Russian TV about the prospect of independence referendums across the UK."
Delivering his central message, Millar states:
"So my message to Rhun ap Iorweth today is this - get on with the day job."
How does Millar characterise the First Minister's position?
Millar highlights what he sees as a contradiction in ap Iorwerth's messaging. Referencing the First Minister, he observes:
"He told voters in May that the Senedd election was not about independence. Well, either he didn't get his own memo or he deliberately chose to deceive people."
Using a pointed metaphor, Millar adds:
"Because just like the Pied Piper of Hamelin, the Plaid Piper of Anglesey has tried to hoodwink people."According to reporting on his conference speech, Millar accused Plaid Cymru of prioritising independence over public services.
What is Millar's vision for the UK?
Millar describes the United Kingdom as something far greater than a mere political structure. He argues that
"each helped to develop industries, abolish the slave trade, liberate Europe, and shape the modern world."
Expanding on this theme, he states:
"We are a shared family of nations. For centuries, the people of Wales, England, Scotland and Northern Ireland have lived together, worked together, and traded together."
Addressing what he characterises as a tendency among some on the political left, Millar says:
"Of course, there are those on the left who say we should apologise or be embarrassed about our history. But I say that it is a legacy and a heritage that we should be proud of and use to inspire the next generation."
What is the current status of Welsh independence?
Plaid Cymru has ruled out holding an independence referendum before the next Senedd election in 2030, and the Welsh government does not currently possess the legal power to hold one. This constraint means that any independence referendum would require Westminster approval, a prospect that remains politically contentious.
Key Facts
- Darren Millar leads the Welsh Conservatives with 7 members in the 96-seat Senedd, down from 16 in the previous parliament
- First Minister ap Iorwerth has called for a "new deal" for Wales, including devolved powers over policing, justice and rail infrastructure
- The three nationalist leaders signed a memorandum committing to constitutional discussions, though no referendum timetable has been set
- Plaid Cymru has committed to not holding an independence referendum before 2030
- Millar is backing Kemi Badenoch as the next Conservative Party leader and potential prime minister
