Plaid Cymru's Rhun ap Iorwerth Requests 'New Deal' for Wales in Letter to PM Ahead of Conference Speech

Wales' first minister has formally requested a "new deal" for the nation in a written appeal to the prime minister, setting the stage for a significant address at his party's conference this week. Rhun ap Iorwerth, who leads Plaid Cymru, sent the letter to Andy Burnham on Thursday, according to BBC Wales, which has seen the correspondence. The move comes just before he is due to speak to party members in Llandudno on Friday, marking his first conference speech since assuming the role of first minister.

The letter outlines a detailed case for transferring further responsibilities from Westminster to Cardiff, arguing that the current constitutional arrangement does not adequately serve the people of Wales. Ap Iorwerth is specifically pressing for the devolution of policing and justice, control over rail infrastructure, and the management of the Crown Estate. These requests form the core of his vision for a strengthened Welsh government with the tools to drive economic growth and improve public services.

This intervention follows a period of significant political change in Wales. Plaid Cymru achieved a historic result in May's Senedd election, winning power for the first time and bringing an end to 27 years of Labour-led government since devolution began in 1999. However, the party's mandate is complicated by the fact that it does not hold a majority of seats in Cardiff Bay. Ap Iorwerth is therefore leading a minority administration, which requires him to negotiate with opposition Members of the Senedd to pass legislation and budgets.

The challenges of governing without a majority were highlighted in July when the government lost a key vote on its spending plans. This setback underscores the precarious nature of the current administration and adds urgency to ap Iorwerth's calls for greater fiscal flexibility. In his upcoming speech, the first minister is expected to frame the election result as a clear mandate for positive change, stating that this mandate includes extending devolution to provide the Senedd and the Welsh government with the necessary powers, funding, and financial flexibilities.

Central to his argument is the principle that Wales should not be disadvantaged compared to other parts of the UK. He is calling for Wales to benefit from the same constitutional and fiscal tools already available to Scotland. This "parity of powers" approach is a long-standing aspiration for many in Welsh politics, who argue that the current settlement leaves Wales under-resourced to tackle its specific demographic and economic challenges. Ap Iorwerth's letter explicitly calls for funding arrangements that are fair, needs-based, and reflective of Wales' unique realities.

The timing of the letter is also notable given recent diplomatic developments among the UK's nationalist leaders. Last month, ap Iorwerth hosted the first ministers of Scotland and Northern Ireland in Cardiff. Following that meeting, the three leaders jointly declared that "Westminster's time is coming to an end." This statement signals a growing coordination among devolved administrations in pushing for a rebalancing of power away from central government. The first minister's letter to Burnham can be seen as a direct follow-up to that summit, translating their shared rhetoric into a formal request for action.

The prime minister has previously indicated a willingness to engage with the Welsh government's proposals. Burnham has said he would give a "fair hearing" to anything put to him by the first minister. More specifically, he has expressed being "open" to the idea of giving the Welsh government control over policing. This openness, while not a commitment, provides a potential opening for negotiations. Ap Iorwerth is expected to meet with Burnham, along with the first ministers of Scotland and Northern Ireland, at the end of the month, where these issues are likely to be discussed face-to-face.

In the letter, which runs to approximately 2,000 words, ap Iorwerth argues that Wales' constitutional settlement should continue to evolve. He frames this evolution not as an end in itself, but as a means to improve democratic accountability, boost growth, strengthen public services, and deliver better outcomes for communities. This pragmatic framing is designed to appeal beyond purely nationalist circles, focusing on the tangible benefits that enhanced devolution could bring to everyday life in Wales.

The request for control over the Crown Estate is particularly significant, as it would give the Welsh government direct control over revenue from renewable energy projects and other assets on the Welsh seabed. This aligns with broader efforts to transition to a green economy and could provide a substantial boost to public finances. Similarly, taking charge of rail infrastructure would allow Wales to integrate its transport network more effectively, addressing long-standing complaints about poor connectivity between north and south Wales.

However, the path to securing these powers is far from guaranteed. The UK government has historically been reluctant to devolve justice and policing, viewing them as core functions of the state. Furthermore, the political instability inherent in a minority administration could weaken ap Iorwerth's negotiating position. Opposition parties in the Senedd may demand concessions in exchange for supporting his budget, potentially diluting his policy agenda. The first minister must therefore balance his ambitious constitutional aims with the practical realities of day-to-day governance.

As he takes to the stage in Llandudno, ap Iorwerth will be seeking to project both vision and competence. Five months into his tenure, he needs to demonstrate that his party can govern effectively while also championing a transformative constitutional agenda. His speech will likely serve as a rallying cry for party members, but it will also be watched closely by political observers across the UK who are tracking the shifting dynamics of devolution. The response from Downing Street in the coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether his call for a "new deal" gains traction or falls on deaf ears.

The broader context of this request is a UK that is increasingly characterised by divergent political priorities. With the SNP pushing for independence in Scotland and Sinn Fein advocating for a border poll in Northern Ireland, the pressure on Westminster to rethink the union is mounting. Ap Iorwerth's demands for greater fiscal and constitutional parity for Wales can be seen as part of this wider trend. By aligning with his counterparts in Edinburgh and Belfast, he is signaling that the devolved nations are united in their desire for a more federal approach to governance.

For now, the immediate focus is on Friday's conference speech and the upcoming meeting with the prime minister. The letter has set the agenda, framing the debate around fairness, parity, and practical progress. Whether it results in the transfer of significant new powers remains to be seen, but it has firmly placed the future of Welsh devolution at the top of the political agenda. As ap Iorwerth prepares to address his party, he does so knowing that the coming months will be a critical test not only of his leadership but also of the durability of the UK's constitutional framework.