Welsh First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth called for a “new relationship” between Westminster and Wales on Monday, following the sudden resignation of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The Plaid Cymru leader, who was recently elected as First Minister, expressed frustration that political instability in London is actively disrupting intergovernmental cooperation.
Speaking shortly after Starmer outlined his Downing Street exit timetable, ap Iorwerth stated that the ongoing “turmoil in Westminster” has severely hampered the Welsh Government’s ability to engage with the UK Prime Minister on critical devolved issues. He urged Starmer’s eventual successor, widely tipped to be newly sworn-in MP Andy Burnham, to fundamentally reset relations with Cardiff.
The First Minister emphasized that any future UK leader must respect the democratic mandate delivered by the Welsh public. He noted that the revised relationship must center on three core pillars: greater devolved powers, fair funding allocations for Wales, and mutual institutional respect.
While ap Iorwerth wished Starmer well, rival political factions in Wales reacted swiftly to the vacancy. The Welsh Conservatives warned against a continuity Labour successor, while Reform UK’s Welsh leadership demanded an immediate general election, criticizing the prospect of Burnham taking power without a direct public vote.
