Welsh Labour Leader Repeatedly Refuses To Say Keir Starmer Is A 'Good Prime Minister'
The Labour first minister of Wales refused to describe Keir Starmer as a “good prime minister” during a toe-curling exchange this morning.
Eluned Morgan, leader of Welsh Labour, just claimed Starmer is not on the ballot paper in May’s Senedd elections while speaking to BBC Radio 4′sToday programme about the party’s chances with the voters.
The local government in Wales has been Labour ever since it was set up in 1999 but YouGov pollsters put the party in joint fourth place earlier this month.
Pro-independence party Plaid Cymru, right-wing Reform UK and the left-wing Green Party are all more popular than Labour.
Presenter Justin Webb asked Morgan: “Are you saying to the people of Wales that Keir Starmer is a good prime minister?”
“What I am saying is that he’s not on the ballot paper,” she replied.
“So you’re not able to say to them that Keir Starmer is a good prime minister?” Webb hit back.
She replied: “I am absolutely clear that who is on the ballot paper is not Keir Starmer.
“This is not an election, this is not an opportunity for a free head of the UK government. This is not a time for protest votes. The things that matter here is who is going to deliver those services we rely on in Wales.
“The fact is people will have a choice, they’ll have a choice between the chaos that Reform will offer [or] the pipe dreams that Plaid will offer.”
She added: “Because I am able to pick up the phone to Keir Starmer, we have seen a huge shift in terms of support for Wales.”
“But you don’t think he’s a good prime minister and he doesn’t take any notice of you?” Webb asked.
The Welsh first minister said there had been significant changes in Wales – like the biggest uplift in the history of devolution – under Labour.
Webb also put it to her that perhaps she did not have such a good relationship with the central Labour government because they have not helped when she raised certain issues, such as police reform.
“You don’t have the power with this government that you’re suggesting to the Welsh people you have,” he said.
“What we’ve got with this government is a third chapter ready to be written in the history of devolution,” Morgan insisted. “I’m focused on areas where I have control and the ability to make a difference in Wales.”
But, Morgan also pointed out that “Welsh Labour is distinct from UK Labour.”
May is widely seen as the largest test of Starmer’s government so far, with local governments in Wales, Scotland and councils across England all taking place.
Morgan’s comments come after Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar urged Starmer not to campaign for Holyrood.
Speaking in Edinburgh earlier this month, Sarwar said: “I would say the best thing that Keir Starmer and the UK Labour government can do is be behind their doors and in their departments getting things right and changing our outcomes.”