3. Statement by the First Minister: Inter-governmental Relations

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 3:28 pm on 28 September 2021.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Huw Irranca-Davies Huw Irranca-Davies Labour 3:28, 28 September 2021

First Minister, thank you for the statement but also for this report, which I would thoroughly recommend to any student of current constitutional arrangements looking at this moment in time at what it means for Wales and the UK. I think it is fair to say, as Darren pointed out, there are some good bits in here, but I have to say it's a mixed picture as well, and it does, within the reading of this report, actually show some of—a bit like the current weather, there are lots of storms in here and then the occasional glimpse of good weather coming through those storms. I haven't got time to go through them today, I want to focus on one issue in particular, but I do note that within this report, Welsh Government lays out once again its vision of seeing a strong Wales in a successful UK—the need to reset inter-governmental relations based on a vision of a reformed and strengthened UK where all the Governments work together for mutual benefit.

Which brings us, in the absence of being able to go through all of this, which I've thoroughly enjoyed reading, and I know the committee will be interested in reading, to turn to the issue of the inter-governmental relations review, which may be one of those glimpses of sunshine through the storm, But I wasn't clear from the First Minister's statement. The Counsel General, when he was in front of the committee the other day, seemed to hold out some hope that we might indeed be progressing and there might be something to be cheerful about. But what hope does he have that the inter-governmental relations review, which could be that major reset in the relations between the nations of the UK, could be that opportunity to go beyond the storm clouds and into something that looks a little bit more sunny, or should we temper our expectations?