Wales First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth Seeks 'New Deal' from Westminster Ahead of Party Conference

Welsh First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth has formally requested a "new deal for Wales" from the UK government, issuing a direct appeal to Prime Minister Andy Burnham for sweeping constitutional reforms just days before his first party conference address since assuming office.

The request was delivered in a letter sent on Thursday and obtained by BBC Wales, in which the Plaid Cymru leader argues that Wales requires additional powers transferred from Westminster to Cardiff. The timing of the correspondence is significant, arriving on the eve of ap Iorwerth's keynote speech to party members gathered in Llandudno on Friday.

This conference marks a milestone for Plaid Cymru, coming five months after the party's historic breakthrough at May's Senedd election. That result saw Plaid Cymru secure power for the first time in the party's history, bringing an end to Labour's 27-year domination of Welsh government since devolution was established in 1999.

However, the electoral victory did not deliver an outright majority in Cardiff Bay. Ap Iorwerth now leads a minority administration, meaning his government must negotiate with opposition Members of the Senedd to secure passage of legislation and budgets. This precarious parliamentary arithmetic was underscored in July when the government suffered a defeat on a key vote concerning its spending plans.

In his forthcoming conference speech, the first minister is expected to characterize the election result as "a clear mandate from the people of Wales for positive change that makes a tangible difference to their lives." He will argue that this mandate encompasses not only domestic policy objectives but also constitutional reform.

According to excerpts from his planned remarks, ap Iorwerth will state that the mandate "includes extending devolution to enable the Senedd and the Welsh government to have the necessary tools - powers, funding and financial flexibilities." He will further explain that these tools are required "to drive the maximum improvement in outcomes for the people of Wales by integrating and improving public services and growing the economy."

The first minister's argument rests on a principle of constitutional parity within the United Kingdom. He contends that "as an underpinning principle to support these reforms, Wales should be able to benefit from the same constitutional and fiscal tools already available in Scotland." This parallel with Scotland reflects a long-standing grievance among Welsh nationalists, who point out that the Scottish Parliament has enjoyed greater devolved authority, particularly over fiscal matters, since the Scotland Act 2012 and subsequent legislation.

The 2,000-word letter to Burnham sets out a detailed case for specific powers to be devolved to Wales. Among the key requests is the transfer of authority over policing and justice, an area where Wales currently differs from Scotland and Northern Ireland, both of which have their own justice systems. The first minister also seeks control over rail infrastructure, arguing that Welsh authorities should have greater say in how transport networks serving Welsh communities are managed and developed.

Additionally, ap Iorwerth calls for the devolution of the Crown Estate to Wales. The Crown Estate, which manages a substantial property portfolio including significant swathes of the Welsh coastline and seabed, currently operates as a UK-wide body, with its revenues flowing to the Treasury. Nationalists argue that Wales should benefit directly from the management and income generated by these assets, particularly as renewable energy projects such as offshore wind expand around the Welsh coast.

Beyond specific powers, the first minister is demanding "funding arrangements that are fair, needs-based and reflect Wales' demographic and economic realities." This touches on a perennial debate about the Barnett formula, the mechanism used to determine public spending allocations across the UK's devolved nations. Critics contend that the formula has historically disadvantaged Wales, particularly given the country's older population profile and higher levels of economic inactivity compared to other parts of the UK.

The letter emphasizes that "Wales' constitutional settlement should continue to evolve to improve democratic accountability, boost growth, strengthen public services and deliver better outcomes for our communities." This language suggests that ap Iorwerth views devolution not as a static arrangement but as an ongoing process requiring periodic adjustment.

The constitutional question has gained renewed momentum following a meeting last month in Cardiff, where ap Iorwerth hosted the nationalist first ministers of Scotland and Northern Ireland. Together with John Swinney of the SNP and Michelle O'Neill of Sinn Fein, the Plaid Cymru leader jointly declared that "Westminster's time is coming to an end," a statement that attracted considerable attention and signaled a coordinated push across the UK's devolved nations for a fundamental rebalancing of constitutional power.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has responded cautiously but not dismissively to the Welsh government's overtures. He previously indicated he would "give a fair hearing" to any proposals brought forward by ap Iorwerth. More specifically, Burnham has said he is "open" to the idea of transferring control over policing to the Welsh government. He has also stated: "I have to respect the governments in the nations of the UK, and I will, and give a fair hearing to anything that is put to me."

However, in a development that will likely temper expectations, the prime minister has ruled out granting Wales powers to hold an independence referendum. That decision, announced within the past week, draws a clear boundary around what constitutional changes the UK government is prepared to consider. Ap Iorwerth is expected to meet Burnham at the end of the month, alongside the first ministers of Scotland and Northern Ireland, in what will be a crucial test of whether the "new deal" request gains any meaningful traction.

The coming weeks will determine whether ap Iorwerth's strategy of pressing for incremental constitutional reform yields tangible results or whether his minority government, already facing domestic legislative challenges, will find its broader ambitions blocked at Westminster.