First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth has set new Prime Minister Andy Burnham a challenge to match his promise of devolving power to English regions to the Senedd. The Plaid Cymru leader met with Mr Burnham for the first time since he was appointed Prime Minister on Thursday.
The pair met in Glasgow, along with Scottish First Minister John Swinney, as Mr Burnham visited the city for the opening of the Commonwealth Games. Mr ap Iorwerth said he congratulated the former Manchester mayor on his new role, and told him he "welcomed the opportunity to begin a new chapter in the relationship between our respective governments."
Call for Wales Bill and fairer funding
During the meeting, Mr ap Iorwerth said he "set out the case" for Wales to receive more powers on the same level currently seen in Scotland. He called for this through a Wales Bill, which would see policing and justice devolved, and also through a fairer funding model to replace the Barnett formula, which the First Minister described as "outdated".
The First Minister said he told the new Prime Minister he expects him to display "as much enthusiasm for empowering our Senedd as he already has done towards devolving power to the English regions."
The pair also discussed their commitment to "adopting a more collaborative approach to politics."
Downing Street statement
A Downing Street spokesperson said following the meeting: "The Prime Minister set out his commitment to working cooperatively with the Welsh Government, and to a relationship built on mutual respect.
"They discussed their shared ambition for growth and investment to reach every part of Wales. The Prime Minister said No10 North would pay a pivotal role working with the Welsh Government, reflecting that he and the First Minister should work in tandem to deliver for people and communities.
"The Prime Minister said he wanted an open and ongoing dialogue with the First Minister on the issues that matter most across Wales. He looked forward to continuing that conversation in the months ahead."
Independence not on agenda
During Mr Burnham's meeting with Scotland's leader John Swinney, the new Prime Minister told Mr Swinney that "another referendum on independence was off limits because it would take our focus away from growing the economy and helping families with the cost of living."
The in-person meetings come after an introductory phone call between Mr Burnham and the leaders of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland when he took office on Monday. During the phone call he told the First Ministers he was "focused on practical measures, not constitutional changes like further referendums".
Mr ap Iorwerth is in favour of Welsh independence but has previously said he does not plan to pursue a referendum in the first term of a Plaid Cymru government.
First Minister's statement
Following the meeting between the pair, Mr ap Iorwerth said: "I was pleased to meet with Prime Minister Andy Burnham to congratulate him in person on his new role. I welcomed the opportunity to begin a new chapter in the relationship between our respective governments, based on mutual respect and a shared commitment to delivering for the people we serve.
"I know that Andy Burnham shares my belief in the power of devolution to change people’s lives for the better. In that spirit, I set out the case for Wales to have parity of powers with Scotland through a new Wales Bill with an immediate emphasis on devolving policing and justice, and a fairer funding model to replace the outdated Barnett Formula.
"We discussed measures to address the ongoing cost-of-living crisis and our shared commitment to adopting a more collaborative approach to politics.
"I also set out my expectation that Number 10 North would not become Whitehall with a different postcode, and that the Prime Minister will demonstrate as much enthusiasm for empowering our Senedd as he already has done towards devolving power to the English regions.
"I look forward to further positive and productive discussions as I continue to make the case for fairness and equality for Wales and all its communities."
