Eluned Morgan, the First Minister of Wales, found herself in a bit of a sticky situation on the Radio 4 Today programme. When asked repeatedly if she thought Keir Starmer was a good leader, she dodged the question not once, but five times! The interview with Justin Webb certainly had its fiery moments, as he pressed Morgan on Labour’s relationship with the UK Government and the upcoming Senedd election.
Morgan’s main focus seemed to be steering the conversation towards the fact that Keir Starmer isn’t on the ballot for the May election. She was keen to emphasise that the upcoming vote isn’t a chance to take a swing at the UK Government. Instead, she stressed the importance of focusing on who can deliver essential services in Wales.
There was plenty of back-and-forth about whether there’s a solid relationship between Morgan’s government and Starmer’s administration, especially after some recent tension over the devolution of policing in Wales. Still, Morgan insisted there’s a new chapter of devolution history in the making, highlighting improvements in areas like small nuclear projects and AI growth zones in Wales.
She remained tight-lipped on explicitly endorsing Starmer, but shared the view that Wales has benefitted from past decisions made under Labour values, like free prescriptions and upcoming promises like a £2 bus fare cap. This ongoing discussion certainly sets the stage for some interesting political drama as the elections approach!
Morgan is clear that it’s all about what the parties can deliver for the Welsh people in real terms. With the May elections looming, there’s a lot at stake, and it’s clear she wants to keep the focus firmly on Welsh issues. But, what do you think this all means for the future of Labour in Wales? Share your thoughts!