Plaid Cymru’s leader says Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s office has snubbed calls for a meeting, deepening tensions over inter-party cooperation.
Since June 2023, Rhun ap Iorwerth has led the Welsh nationalist party. He is expected to be Wales's first minister in May, although he claims he was denied a meeting with Sir Keir following his victory last year.
Mr. Ap Iorwerth claimed that he had "never" spoken with the prime minister, but it was "not because I haven't tried" in an interview with Liz Bates, the political correspondent for Sky News.
He added:
"When I contacted the prime minister to ask for a meeting, after his election last year, I was turned down and it was passed on to the Secretary of State for Wales.
People can read into that what they want.
I've spoken very openly about wanting to have a constructive relationship with the UK prime minister."
The former journalist said in his reporting days he had not interviewed Sir Keir and now, in politics, their "paths had never crossed" but he said he felt it was "important".
"I have certainly asked if we could meet. And that is certainly something that I would still love to happen,"
he said.
Mr ap Iorwerth said a conversation would be key because if he became Welsh first minister, there would be "serious negotiations on serious issues around funding for Wales on investing in infrastructure in Wales, on the future of how we're able to influence and use our natural resources in Wales".
"So I want to have that constructive relationship,"
he said.
In an apparent nod to current Labour first minister Eluned Morgan, Mr ap Iorwerth said Sir Keir would be in "no doubt" that his loyalty "would always be to the people of Wales".
He said:
"I won't be pulling my punches in order to save the Labour Party embarrassment.
I'll be really laying out what's in the interest of Wales. And that's, I think, a fundamentally different relationship. But it has to be, and I want it to be, a constructive one. "
In May 2026, Wales will elect 96 members to the Senedd for the first time, a more than 50% increase from the present 60 members.
Labour has historically controlled Welsh politics.
In every general election since 1922, Welsh Labour MPs have been the largest group sent to Westminster; the party has ruled the nation for more than 25 years.
However, Labour's long-standing hold on Welsh politics appears to be eroding if the polls are correct.
Labour is well behind, while Plaid Cymru and Reform UK are hovering around each other.
How has Welsh Labour responded to ap Iorwerth's claim?
Eluned Morgan, leader of Welsh Labour, and Labour representatives have prioritized practical governance and effective public services, rather than engaging in rival politics.
Plaid Cymru accused Welsh Labour of "quietness" on Welsh issues of fair funding, the devolution of justice powers, and control of the Crown estate, according to ap Iorwerth. Plaid claims that Welsh Labour believes it can take Welsh voters for granted, and has not advocated for more funding or control from Westminster.
Welsh Labour has defended its position by emphasizing how it has made improvements in the areas of health, education, housing, and local services.