Prime Minister and First Minister of Wales Meetings

Baroness Smith of Llanfaes Excerpts

Wednesday 7th May 2025 Lords Chamber

Asked by

[Baroness Smith of Llanfaes]

To ask His Majesty’s Government what meetings the Prime Minister has had with the First Minister of Wales in the past month, and what matters were discussed in those meetings.

[Baroness in Waiting/Government Whip (Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent) (Lab)]

My Lords, the Prime Minister speaks regularly with the First Minister of Wales as part of the Government’s reset relationship with the Welsh Government. The Prime Minister and First Minister spoke last week on a range of issues, including how we deliver our shared priorities. Of course, the Prime Minister and First Minister work together on behalf of our two Governments on the Council of the Nations and Regions, which is due to meet again imminently. That is in addition to their engagement through IDR structures.

--- Later in debate ---

[Baroness Smith of Llanfaes (PC)]

I thank the Minister for her Answer. The people of Wales were promised at the last general election that, if they voted Labour, they would have two Governments, at either end of the M4, improving their lives. But yesterday the First Minister of Wales gave a speech suggesting ruptures in that relationship, coining the new phrase, “The new Welsh way”, and suggesting certain requests for this Government to deliver on. So which if any of those requests are this Government going to enact?

[Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent (Lab)]

My Lords, the First Minister’s speech reflected the reset relationship between our two Governments based on respect, collaboration and delivery. The Labour Party is a broad synagogue, and we actively engage with people of all views. It will not surprise noble Lords that we are two Governments working together, but Welsh Labour has its own identity and, of course, we do not agree about everything. But we are two Governments working together with a shared set of values and priorities that reflect what matters most to the people of Wales, which is why we have delivered so much for them in our first 10 months.