Welsh first minister Eluned Morgan has moved to differentiate her leadership and policies from those of the Labour government in Westminster as she prepares for a challenging Senedd election in May. With polls indicating a potential loss of Labour’s long-held dominance in Wales, Morgan emphasised that the upcoming vote is about Welsh Labour, not the UK party.
Speaking to the Financial Times, Morgan stressed:
“I am going to be much firmer in making sure that it is Welsh Labour and the red Welsh way. Keir Starmer is not on the ballot paper in this election.”
Distancing From UK Labour Policies
Morgan criticised two recent decisions by the national Labour government:
Immigration
She rejected Westminster’s tougher rhetoric on migration reforms, stating she would not engage in “tough anti-immigration noises”.
Winter Fuel Payments
The first minister said Labour’s attempt to remove winter fuel payments from pensioners was a mistake that had “damaged” the party’s reputation in Wales.
A Shifting Political Landscape
The interview took place inside the Senedd in Cardiff Bay, currently partly closed for refurbishment as the parliament prepares to expand from 60 to 96 members under a new voting system. The construction disruption mirrors the political uncertainty facing Wales.
Polling shows Labour could lose control of the Welsh parliament for the first time since its formation 26 years ago. Rising support for Reform UK on the right and the nationalist Plaid Cymru on the left has created a highly competitive race.
Last month’s by-election in Caerphilly, a Labour stronghold for nearly a century, saw Plaid Cymru narrowly defeat Reform UK, while Labour won just 11% of the vote.
Morgan Faces Her Own Electoral Battle
Morgan, 58, has served as first minister for just over a year and may also struggle to hold her seat in the newly formed Ceredigion Penfro constituency. Asked if she expected to remain an MS next summer, she said:
“I am going to work my socks off to make sure I do. I am confident that with a lot of hard work, we can turn this around.”
Highlighting Welsh Labour Achievements
To counter declining support, Morgan aims to showcase key Welsh Labour policies that differ from those in England:
- Free prescriptions for all residents
- A £100 weekly cap on personal care costs (no cap exists in England)
- Free hospital parking
- Universal free primary school meals
Opposition Criticism
Plaid Cymru argues that Labour’s long tenure has produced weak outcomes in key public services. The party points to:
- Wales having the lowest PISA education scores in the UK
- Persistently high child poverty levels
- Missed health service performance targets
With several months remaining before the election, Wales enters a politically volatile period, with Labour fighting to defend its record and its leadership as voters reconsider their loyalties.
