First Minister presses new Prime Minister for powers over policing, justice and rail
Wales’ First Minister has called on the new Prime Minister to hand Wales greater powers over policing, justice, rail and the Crown Estate during their first official conversation.
Rhun ap Iorwerth said he congratulated Prime Minister Andy Burnham in a phone call on Tuesday and set out his hope of building a “positive and productive relationship” between the Welsh and UK governments.
The First Minister said he also raised what he described as the cost-of-living crisis and urged the Prime Minister to turn his commitment to devolution into action.
He said: “I was pleased to congratulate the new Prime Minister on a call this morning and set out my hope that we can build a positive and productive relationship.
“I also conveyed my eagerness to work with him to tackle the cost-of-living crisis. I look forward to a meeting very soon so I can begin our discussions in earnest on behalf of the people of Wales.
“I urged him to turn his commitment to devolution into action by giving Wales the powers we need to improve outcomes for all our communities on policing, justice, the Crown Estate, rail and on funding.”
Downing Street said the Prime Minister spoke with the First Minister of Scotland and the First Minister and Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland on the same day.
A Downing Street spokesperson said the Prime Minister told the devolved leaders he was “serious about creating a new politics – rooted in finding common ground based on collaborative, practical and pragmatic relations with the Heads of the Devolved Governments”.
The spokesperson said: “Working in partnership, the Prime Minister said together they could drive deeper devolution to all parts of the United Kingdom to get growth going.
“The Prime Minister added he was focused on practical measures, not constitutional changes like further referendums, to give families more breathing room by helping them with the cost of living, which he had done today by helping millions of households with their energy bills.”
Downing Street said the Prime Minister looked forward to meeting the devolved leaders soon and to visiting Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland shortly.
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