Rhun ap Iorwerth demands new devolution deal from Andy Burnham

Welsh First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth has demanded a "new deal" on devolution from Prime Minister Andy Burnham, calling for Cardiff to be handed control over policing, justice, and the Crown Estate to put Wales on an equal footing with Scotland.

In a 2,000-word letter sent to Downing Street, the Plaid Cymru leader argued that Wales has been historically short-changed by its constitutional setup. Speaking at his party's autumn conference in Llandudno, ap Iorwerth said he was inviting the UK government to "genuinely treat Wales not as a region of England but as a nation in its own right".

The demand comes just months after Plaid Cymru's historic victory in May, which ended 27 years of Labour control in Wales.

What powers does Wales want?

At present, Scotland's devolved parliament wields significantly more power than the Senedd in Cardiff. Ap Iorwerth is asking for that gap to be closed by transferring control of the justice system, policing, and rail infrastructure, alongside the Crown Estate’s Welsh assets. He also demanded that Westminster hand over substantial rail funding "now, not the 2030s".

Plaid Cymru’s victory in May not only disrupted Welsh politics but also placed separatist parties in government in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland simultaneously. While Plaid Cymru has ruled out holding an independence referendum during its first term, ap Iorwerth's demands show he intends to push the limits of Cardiff's self-governance.

He accused Burnham of focusing on a "devolution programme for England" while allowing his plans for the devolved nations to crash "against Offa's Dyke".

Can Cardiff and London work together?

The relationship between the two leaders started warmly. Ap Iorwerth said his meeting with Burnham at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow left him feeling positive about working with "an experienced devolutionist".

"I've looked him in the eyes and said do not undermine Wales as a nation. Do not bypass our Senedd," ap Iorwerth told party activists. "And he looked me in the eyes and promised he would not. I will hold him to that."

But the political reality makes cooperation complicated. While Burnham has previously said he is open to giving Wales control over policing, Welsh Labour MPs in Westminster remain deeply sceptical about devolving more power, particularly now that Labour has lost control of the Senedd.

Responding to the speech, a UK government spokesperson said Westminster is "committed to building a stronger and fairer Wales" but emphasised its focus on working with local leaders to deliver economic growth and jobs. Burnham is expected to meet with the first ministers of Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland at the end of October.

The challenge of a minority government

For all his bold constitutional demands, ap Iorwerth faces immediate practical hurdles at home. Plaid Cymru holds 44 of the 96 seats in the Senedd—following the defection of Sarah Cooper-Lessad—leaving them five seats short of a majority.

To pass next year’s budget, the minority government is currently in talks with Labour, the Conservatives, and Reform UK. Ap Iorwerth admitted the fiscal backdrop is "tight" and that his administration would have to "find savings where we can".

However, he promised that any cuts would avoid "the damaging approach of the parties on the right", while defending his administration's early decisions, including a cash injection to tackle NHS waiting times and the rollout of a generous childcare support package.