Starmer warned cabinet against overly deferential' relations with devolved governments

"Overly deferential or laissez-faire engagement with the Celtic administrations would almost inevitably create political challenges or missed positive opportunities. The memo is dated 10 days after an unprecedented letter to Downing Street signed by a third of Welsh Labour members of the Senedd over a funding row that they called at best deeply insensitive, at worst a constitutional outrage."

"The members also expressed increasing concern about what they said was Westminster's failure to devolve further functions to Wales including justice, policing and the crown estate some of which is Labour party policy. The Plaid Cymru leader, Rhun ap Iorwerth, used the leak to attack Welsh first minister, Labour's Eluned Morgan, during first minister's questions on Tuesday, calling the document Starmer's own version of Boris Johnson's muscular unionism."

"We make no apologies for being determined to deliver for people across all four nations of the UK. In Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, there are clearly reserved areas of governmental responsibilities and this government is committed to upholding this devolution settlement with mutual respect and partnership."

A leaked December memo from Prime Minister Keir Starmer warned his cabinet against being overly deferential or laissez-faire with Welsh, Scottish, and Northern Irish governments. Starmer stated ministers should be prepared to make spending decisions even when devolved administrations oppose them, arguing that excessive deference would create political challenges or miss opportunities. The memo emerged after Welsh Labour Senedd members expressed concerns about the government rolling back devolution powers and failing to devolve additional functions including justice, policing, and the crown estate. Plaid Cymru's leader criticized the approach as muscular unionism similar to Boris Johnson's style, while the Welsh First Minister emphasized that devolution must be respected through a respectful relationship with Westminster.

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