Wales First Minister Says Burnham Must Recognise Wales Is 'Not a Region in England'
Rhun ap Iorwerth, the first non-Labour leader of the Senedd, tells the Guardian he is wary of Westminster consensus against further devolution.
Rhun ap Iorwerth, the first minister of Wales, has said that Andy Burnham needs to take devolution seriously and understand that Wales is a nation, "not a region in England," according to comments reported by the Guardian.
Ap Iorwerth, who became the first non-Labour leader of the Senedd since devolution began, told the Guardian that he had been encouraged by initial discussions with the new UK prime minister on the subject of devolved powers.
However, he expressed caution about Burnham potentially being drawn into what he described as a broader Westminster consensus opposed to relinquishing further powers to devolved administrations such as Wales.
The remarks come amid ongoing debate over the extent of devolved authority granted to Wales compared with other parts of the United Kingdom, as the Senedd continues discussions with the UK government over the future shape of devolution.
The Guardian reported that ap Iorwerth's comments reflect concerns among Welsh political leaders that Westminster figures, regardless of party, may be reluctant to expand the powers currently held by devolved institutions.
Sources
- Burnham must understand Wales is ‘not a region in England’, says first minister — The Guardian — Politics
EGazette summarizes reporting from multiple sources; follow the links for the originals.
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