Further Devolution Powers

Part of 1. Questions to the First Minister – in the Senedd at 2:26 pm on 18 June 2024.

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Photo of Llyr Gruffydd Llyr Gruffydd Plaid Cymru 2:26, 18 June 2024

Well, in your leadership campaign manifesto, you called for specific powers to be devolved to the Senedd, didn't you? They included the Crown Estate, justice, policing. You even called for prudential borrowing powers. Now, as we've already heard, your UK Labour colleagues over the last week have constantly undermined your and your Government's calls for further devolution of some of those powers, and the shadow Secretary of State has said that the powers over police and justice would stay in Westminster. In fact, yesterday, as we heard earlier, she said that your calls are, and I quote, just

'fiddling around with structures and systems'.

The UK Labour manifesto itself only promised to consider the devolution of youth justice and probation—nothing on the wider justice system, nothing on Crown Estate or rail infrastructure. Jo Stevens yesterday stated that rail infrastructure would not be devolved, despite your Government consistently calling for it. She flatly refused to commit to Wales getting the HS2 money that you've said we're owed, and they've even taken away the promise of you controlling replacement EU funds, against your wishes. Now, your UK Labour Party are now saying much the same on these issues as the current Tory Government. So, how does it feel to be so marginalised that your Labour colleagues dismiss your policies and, frankly, totally undermine your Government's position on these issues?