Eluned Morgan recently shared a candid moment with Keir Starmer that says a lot about the current state of affairs in the Labour Party. During a visit to the Transport for Wales depot in Taff’s Well, the atmosphere was filled with politeness and warm ‘thank yous.’ Yet, behind this choreographed event was a subtle tension between UK Labour and its Welsh counterpart.
Morgan, Wales’ First Minister, couldn’t resist a cheeky jab at Starmer, highlighting the differences between policies in Wales and England. When discussing free bus passes for those aged 60 and above in Wales, she couldn’t help but point out, “I don’t think that’s the case in England, is it?” To top it off, when Starmer mentioned the new trains, Morgan quipped, “Don’t go taking the glory for our stuff,” drawing laughs from the crowd.
Her comments underline a key aspect of her political strategy: highlighting Welsh achievements independently from the UK’s broader political narrative. She’s keen on focusing not on divisive UK-wide issues like fuel payments but on tangible local successes like new trains and infrastructure improvements.
With promises of potential £14 billion investments, there’s cautious optimism, but also lingering doubts. Previous promises, like Rishi Sunak’s £1bn pledge for the North Wales mainline, have left many sceptical. The Labour administration aims to prove its worth with these new rail plans, but much rides on upcoming spending reviews and the party’s performance in the next election. For now, Morgan seems determined to ensure Wales’ contributions and efforts are recognised in their own right.