First Minister of Wales Baroness Eluned Morgan has declared that Sir Keir Starmer would be welcome on the Welsh Labour campaign trail, provided he arrives with substantial investment commitments. Speaking at her party's Senedd election launch in Newport, Morgan emphasised that financial support from Westminster is crucial for Wales's future.
Campaign Trail Conditions
Morgan stated explicitly that Starmer's presence would be appreciated if accompanied by promises of increased funding. She referenced a recent £14 billion rail improvement pipeline announced in February, which Starmer endorsed, though the exact additional funding remains unspecified. "If he brings me another £14 billion, he is very welcome on the campaign trail," Morgan said. "That was significant, it was important, and I was pleased to welcome him, because I have been asking for that money for a long time."
Political Landscape in Wales
Labour has held power in Cardiff Bay since the establishment of the Welsh Parliament in 1999, but recent opinion polls suggest this dominance could end in the May election. Plaid Cymru and Reform UK have topped these polls, both aiming to secure enough seats to form a new government. Morgan criticised these opposition parties, accusing them of focusing on "protest politics" rather than substantive governance plans.
"What we're seeing around us in Wales, across the UK and around the world, is politics that is louder than it is wiser, angrier than it is useful, more interested in posturing than progress," Morgan remarked. She added that Reform offers "rage, loud rage, but no real answers," while Plaid provides "slogans" that lack detailed policy substance.
Labour's Election Pledges
At the campaign launch, Morgan announced several key commitments from Welsh Labour, including a transformation of mental healthcare to offer easy-to-access, same-day services. The party has also pledged a £2 bus fare cap, improved hospital transport access, and a crackdown on fly-tipping through increased fines. Morgan opened her speech by asserting her party's patriotism, stating, "I've always been a patriot. It is absolutely central to my core political beliefs."
Opposition Response
A spokeswoman for Plaid Cymru dismissed Morgan's remarks as "tired stuff from a party that has been in power in Wales for almost 30 years and has long run out of ideas." The spokeswoman highlighted issues such as long NHS waiting times, rising costs, and overstretched services under Labour's tenure. "After 27 years of Labour, people face long NHS waiting times, rising costs, and overstretched services. There has been no serious reckoning with that record, and no real plan to fix it," she said.
Plaid Cymru emphasised its own plan for government, including a first 100 days agenda to improve the NHS and deliver what it claims would be the most generous childcare offer in the UK. The spokeswoman concluded, "In this election, Labour is finished. This is now a two-horse race, and only Plaid Cymru can stop Reform UK from dragging our politics backwards."
Morgan's Focus on Governance
When asked if she was happy for Sir Keir Starmer to be Prime Minister during the Senedd election campaign, Morgan responded affirmatively, saying "yes." She added, "I have a country to run here. I'm much more interested in focusing on what is important to the people of Wales." This statement underscores her prioritisation of local issues over broader UK political dynamics, even as she seeks support from Starmer's potential premiership.
The upcoming Senedd election is shaping up to be a highly competitive contest, with Labour's long-standing rule in Wales under significant threat. Morgan's conditional welcome to Starmer highlights the intertwined nature of Welsh and UK politics, where investment and funding remain pivotal concerns for voters and leaders alike.
