Wales First Minister Calls for New UK Deal, Citing Union Inequality
Rhun ap Iorwerth says Wales deserves a new deal from the United Kingdom, requesting more powers over policing, justice, rail and natural resources, while warning the union is not one of equals.
At a glance
- Rhun ap Iorwerth, Wales's first minister, says the UK union is not one of equals and that Wales deserves a new deal.
- He has formally requested more powers for Wales, including policing, justice, rail and natural resources, in a letter to the British prime minister.
- Plaid Cymru, his centre‑left nationalist party, took power in May after over a century of Labour rule, and he signed a pact with Scotland and Northern Ireland on self‑determination.
Rhun ap Iorwerth, Wales’s first minister, says the UK union is not one of equals and that Wales deserves a new deal. He made the remarks after his party took power in May, ending Labour’s more than a century of dominance in Wales.
Power request In a letter to the British prime minister, the Welsh first minister has formally requested the transfer of more power to Wales. He seeks control over policing, the justice system, the rail network and natural resources, arguing that these areas are essential for Welsh self‑determination.
Political shift His centre‑left Welsh nationalist party, Plaid Cymru, came to power in May, ending more than a century of Labour Party dominance in Wales. Just four months into his term, he signed a pact with Scotland and Northern Ireland declaring their right to self‑determination and warning the British Parliament that its time is coming to an end.
Path to independence He insists that the agreement is not meant to tear down the UK but rather to allow the Welsh government to decide its own future. Wales is on the journey towards independence, though he will not push for a referendum this parliament.
Source: Al Jazeera.
Questions and answers
- What powers is Wales’s first minister seeking from the UK?
- He wants control over policing, the justice system, the rail network and natural resources, as outlined in his letter to the prime minister.
- Which party did Rhun ap Iorwerth’s government replace in May?
- Plaid Cymru ended more than a century of Labour Party dominance in Wales.
- What is the purpose of the pact signed with Scotland and Northern Ireland?
- It declares their right to self‑determination and warns that the British Parliament’s time is coming to an end.
Original reporting: Al Jazeera (aljazeera.com)
rhun ap iorwerthwalesuk unionplaid cymruself-determination
