Andy Burnham's Devolution Article Criticized by WalesOnline
Andy Burnham has pledged to devolve power "deeper down" in Wales. However, a Welsh news outlet, WalesOnline, has described an article provided by Burnham's team as "error-filled". The article outlined his proposals for Wales but was criticized for inaccuracies regarding devolved powers.
WalesOnline reported that the piece submitted by Burnham's team resembled essays written for London and Scotland, with place names simply altered to fit Wales. The article stated that Burnham, who is anticipated to become Prime Minister later this month, intended to address issues such as housing, business rates, and education—areas currently managed by the Plaid Cymru Welsh government.
Plaid Cymru Member of the Senedd (MS) Carrie Harper labeled the article a "copy and paste opinion piece." Burnham has committed to maintaining a "collaborative" relationship with the Welsh government. His team has been approached for comment.
Burnham, the newly elected Member of Parliament (MP) for Makerfield, is presently the sole candidate vying to succeed Sir Keir Starmer as Labour Party leader and could assume the role of Prime Minister on 20 July.
In a significant speech last week, Burnham promised to transfer power away from Westminster to the nations and regions.
WalesOnline initially declined to publish the article without a disclaimer highlighting its misleading content but has since published it alongside a critical column.
Similar articles from Burnham were published last week by The Scotsman and the London Evening Standard, both promising a "new direction for the country." These articles included the statement:
"We need a new determination to raise living standards for every single person in this land. To do that, to fix the economy and the country, we need to change politics, and we need to do it now."
WalesOnline described the Welsh version as a "Welshified" adaptation of the piece. The news site's political editor, Ruth Mosalski, wrote:
"We didn't run the piece we were offered as it was confused about where power and responsibility lies in Wales. It listed promises about housing, education and transport even though these are all things that are devolved to Wales - and for which the Plaid Cymru government is now responsible."
Differences and Similarities Across Versions
While some sections of the articles differed, many paragraphs were identical with only place names changed. All three versions included the line:
"Growth cannot be ordered from the top down. It can only be nurtured from the bottom up."In Scotland, this referred to "backing energy, shipbuilding, manufacturing and public services." In Wales, it was "steel, ports, energy and manufacturing," and in London, "housing, transport, skills and public services."
Both the London and Wales articles stated:
"Everyone can feel the country is not where it should be. People feel it in their bills, their rent, their high streets, their transport, and at the end of every month when there is less and less left over."
The WalesOnline article continued:
"In Wales, that feeling has its own shape. It is felt in Merthyr. It is felt in Rhyl. Port Talbot feels it. It is felt in towns like Wrexham, communities like the Valleys, and places that have waited too long for politics to work for them."The London version said:
"In London, that feeling has its own shape. It is felt in Newham. It is felt in Brent. Croydon feels it. It is felt in towns like Barking, communities like Tottenham, and in places that have waited too long for politics to work for them."
All three articles stated that Burnham would present a 10-year plan aimed at "bringing down the cost" of essentials, including "housing, energy and transport." However, housing policy in Wales is led by the Plaid Cymru government, as are roads, buses, and some rail policies.
Burnham also pledged to reform business rates in Scotland, London, and Wales. Business rates are set by the devolved governments in Scotland and Wales.
Concerns Over Potential Bypassing of Welsh Government
During a Reddit Ask Me Anything event last week, the former Greater Manchester mayor expressed his desire to be "as collaborative and pragmatic as possible" with the devolved governments of Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. He promised to "speak soon" with the first ministers of all three nations to establish a positive working relationship.
In a speech in Manchester last week, Burnham promised to devolve power "deeper down" in Wales. The exact meaning was unclear, but some speculated he was referring to devolving powers to local councils. Plaid Cymru's First Minister, Rhun ap Iorwerth, suggested there were "signs" Burnham might seek to bypass the Welsh and Scottish governments.
On Radio Wales' Sunday Supplement programme, interim Welsh Labour leader Ken Skates dismissed the risk of bypassing Welsh ministers to devolve powers directly to councils as "nonexistent." He stated that the Welsh government "should crack on with delivering services in Wales and show confidence in doing so."
Dafydd Trystan Davies, Plaid Cymru's minister for the constitution, also spoke on the programme, saying:
"I'd hope that he will listen to voices within Wales and within Scotland that can put the case for devolution to our national governments here in Wales and in Scotland. There's a real opportunity to work in partnership there, a fresh start at a UK level and a fresh start in that relationship with the Welsh Government."However, he added:
"It would be very unfortunate indeed if Westminster chose to try and bypass our national Senedd and the Scottish Parliament and Scottish government. It would be a sign of no respect whatsoever."
In response to the article, Plaid Cymru's Carrie Harper said:
"Andy Burnham talks a good talk when it comes to devolution, but his lazy, copy and paste opinion piece proves his understanding of the matter stops at Offa's Dyke. He has already backtracked on his commitment to fair funding for Wales, and now he threatens to undermine our democracy."
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