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Andy Burnham’s devolution push will stretch “across all corners of Wales”, a minister in Westminster has pledged, as Plaid Cymru leaders launch pleas for more policing powers in Cardiff Bay.
Welsh Secretary Stephen Kinnock told the Commons on Wednesday that the Labour Government would “engage on the future of devolution, including deepening devolution” west of the border.
He was responding to Plaid Cymru’s Westminster leader Liz Saville Roberts, who asked him why some English regional mayors appeared to have a greater say on policing in their areas than members of the Senedd.
Speaking at a press conference in Cardiff, Welsh First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth told reporters he was hopeful he could lead Mr Burnham to a position where “the need for the devolution of policing becomes clear in his mind”.
Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland have different devolution settlements.
While the Northern Ireland Assembly at Stormont and Scottish Parliament in Holyrood are responsible for decisions affecting the police in their areas, the UK-wide Home Office is responsible for the four Welsh forces.
And in England, some regional mayors have policing powers.
For example, the mayor of Greater Manchester – a role which Mr Burnham held for more than nine years before he became Prime Minister – can appoint the chief constable and set their police forces’s budget and priorities.
Ms Saville Roberts said: “A union that treats people differently depending on where they live must change.
“So, does (Mr Kinnock) honestly believe that the city region of Greater Manchester should have more powers over policing and keeping communities safe than the Parliament of Wales, the Senedd?”
Mr Kinnock said: “I think many of the ideas coming forward around devolving power right across our United Kingdom, beyond Cardiff Bay and Holyrood, for example, are very exciting ideas.”
He added: “With regard to policing, the Prime Minister and I have been very clear that we will engage on the future of devolution, including deepening devolution into communities across all corners of Wales.
“On policing specifically, our focus has and always will continue to be on cutting crime.
