Found: Sir Keir Starmer Oral Evidence

Found: Super-Rich: Email your MP now’ https://www.oxfam.org.uk/get-involved/campaign-with-oxfam /demand-keir-starmer-reverses-aid-cuts

Found: this case, on the action plan—I wrote about this for the Times—what was notable to me was when Keir Starmer

Found: Downing Street, 2025, The Independent newspaper, https://www.independent.co.uk/climate- change/news/keir-starmer-prime-minister-cop30

On July 4 2024, Sir Keir Starmer was elected as Prime Minister. Since then, his Government has introduced measures that were not included in the Labour Party's manifesto.

Found: On July 4 2024, Sir Keir Starmer was elected as Prime Minister.

Found: Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:   This is a huge win for British business and working people and marks

Found: Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:  This partnership will make sure we harness developments in AI for

Found: Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: “As a dad and as Prime Minister, I believe it is our generation

Found: Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: For too long, success has been measured by how many young people go

Found: Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:  This partnership will make sure we harness developments in AI for

Found: Prime Minister Keir Starmer will launch the strategy at a children’s centre in South Wales with the First

Found: Labour Prime Ministers: Tony Blair between 2005 - 2007 and as Director of Communications for Keir Starmer

<p>But these are bread-and-butter issues, aren't they? And when it comes to funding announcements, be it on transport or on the recent budget, the First Minister describes these as if they're some kind gifts to Wales. They're not, they're consequential payments as a result of spending decisions made in England. And all of this goes to show that when it comes to governing Wales, the First Minister and her Cabinet are in office, but they're not in power.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Whether it's election strategies, spending plans, or, indeed, surprising announcements to the House of Lords appointments list, it's clear that Keir Starmer is making all the calls. It's no wonder that our nation is losing out when the so-called Secretary of State for Wales appears to spend more time lobbying on behalf of Lord Gething than she does for Wales itself.</p>
<p>Now, just like the Tories before them, Labour in London can't help themselves. Their mantra is that Wales must always do as we're told, and be grateful for what we have been given. Meanwhile, Plaid Cymru believes it's high time Wales has a Government willing to challenge this kind of attitude. So, will the First Minister finally stand up to Westminster and say that enough is enough, or will it take a new Government for that to happen?</p>

<p>So, she didn't sign the letter about UK Government meddling in devolved affairs, but suggests that she told Keir Starmer that it must be that she has no influence at all over Keir Starmer.</p>
<p>On the issue in the letter itself, the substance of that letter, Labour backbenchers were right to challenge the UK Government's Pride in Place programme, as do I. It completely overrides devolution, with councils submitting regeneration plans directly to UK Government. It's not better than what the Tories used to do, and Labour would have been up in arms had it been them doing this. The system exploits the United Kingdom Internal Market Act 2020 that this Senedd rightly refused to give consent to. Of course, Labour MPs abstained on Plaid Cymru amendments at Westminster that would have given Wales some protection. Why does the First Minister think that the UK Government is intent on bypassing the Welsh Government in this and many other ways, and what is she going to do about this undermining—this continued undermining—of devolution?</p>

<p>I've got to tell you that this is a consistent approach that we have. We have always been the party of devolution, we have always stood up for the values of Wales, and we will always put Wales first. I've made that clear, and I've made it clear to Keir Starmer and the Labour Party as well.</p>
<p>If you ask what are the additional things, well, ask the people in your community who are going to benefit from the thousands of extra jobs. That's not a consequential, that's actually a decision by the UK Government to put that—they could've put it anywhere, but no, they brought it to Wales. Ask the people in the Valleys communities about whether they feel safer now because they've had that additional money to clear tips in their areas. <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Ask the people</span></p>

<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Ask the people</span> who are going to get jobs as a result of the new two AI growth zones. Let's be clear: I don't need to write letters to Keir Starmer; I pick up the phone to him—something that you will never be able to do.</p>

<p>I don't need to write a letter to Keir Starmer, I pick up the phone to him, and that is something that's very different from what anybody else in this Chamber can do. That is the difference between having a Labour Government in Westminster and a Tory Government in Westminster, who wouldn't pick up the phone. Now, nobody should be surprised that members of our group feel very strongly about the need to stand up for devolution. This is something that they feel strongly about, it's something that I feel strongly about. We are the party of devolution—we introduced devolution. And I've made it clear, time and time again, that devolution should be respected. I'm really pleased that the Labour Government has honoured its commitment through ensuring that power over the local growth fund is returned to Wales. Now, that's something that has come to us. It's not happening in any other part of the United Kingdom—a huge difference, over £500 million being determined now by a Welsh Labour Government. And the fact is that that partnership is showing dividends, having two Labour Governments. We now have a small modular reactor development in Wylfa, and an artificial intelligence growth zone. I hope you're happy with that situation. We also have another AI growth zone in south Wales. <span style="text-decoration: underline;">But I've made it clear,</span></p>

<p>The First Minister sometimes criticises me in these question sessions for pursuing issues that aren't devolved to Wales. Of course, it is my job to point out (a) those areas that should be devolved, and make the case for that, and (b) point out where UK Government actions in non-devolved areas are putting Wales at a disadvantage and why we should stand up for the people we serve. And any First Minister for Wales should wholeheartedly support me in that. And then you have areas that are devolved where UK Government is interfering, and well done to those Labour backbenchers who have now woken up to that reality and who wrote to Keir Starmer last week saying, 'Hands off.' I credit their courage, but question whether they're in the right party, given UK Labour's utter disdain towards democracy in Wales. In fact, the fact that a majority of Labour Senedd Members here didn't sign that letter speaks volumes, I think. And of course, the First Minister herself didn't sign. Now, did she lack the courage, or does she take Keir Starmer's side?</p>