Welsh independence will unleash ‘full potential’ as nationalists serious contenders to form next government

Published

2 months ago

July 4, 2025

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Wales should “learn” from the SNP’s successes in Scotland, according to the man who could well be the next first minister of Wales.

Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth told Sky News: “I believe that we will not be able to fully release our potential until we’re an independent nation.”

He admitted “not everybody agrees” but believes there should be a discussion about how to “edge things forwards” on independence.

The party leader has ruled out a referendum in his first term but says support for Welsh independence is growing among young voters.

Mr ap Iorwerth, whose party is neck and neck with Reform UK and Labour in the polls to lead the Welsh Parliament next year, says his party takes “very, very seriously the positive impact” the SNP has had in Scotland.

It comes as a government minister admitted there are “major” questions about how fairly Wales is funded compared with Scotland.

Stephen Kinnock, the Labour MP for Aberafan Maesteg, told Sky News he and other Welsh MPs are looking for a reassessment of the funding formula.

He said the Barnett formula, which decides the allocation of much of the funding from the treasury to devolved nations, works “much better” for Scotland and the industrial heritage and age demographics in Wales mean the nation has been historically underserved.

Since Mr Kinnock spoke to Sky News, Wales was awarded £5bn in revenue and capital over three years, largely for rail infrastructure, in the spending review.

However, some Welsh Labour MPs fear the growing nationalist tide could mirror Scotland’s 2007 shift.

Lessons “have not been learned” from Scotland, Labour Member of the Welsh Parliament Lee Waters said.

Speaking to the Labour List website, he warned: “The control of the party machinery by London HQ, and the disdain of Westminster MPs towards their devolved counterparts were features now and then.”

Mr Waters sounded the alarm for Welsh Labour, adding: “Scottish Labour paid the price for it in 2007. The SNP seized on its chance to form a minority government and used it to build a generation of dominance. Plaid Cymru aim to do the same.”

Does Wales get treated unfairly?

It’s a question that could propel Reform UK or Plaid Cymru to power in Wales this time next year – a seismic political shift in a nation dominated by Welsh Labour since devolution began.

The closure of the blast furnaces at Port Talbot, the end of virgin steelmaking in this country, drew comparisons with the government’s intervention at Scunthorpe in Lincolnshire. Why was an English steelmaking site saved and not a Welsh one?

The answer, as Wales MP and government minister Stephen Kinnock tells me, is not straightforward.

The owners of Scunthorpe were “actively sabotaging the blast furnaces”, and Labour were not in power in Westminster when decisions about Port Talbot were being made.

“You have to set the bar really high when you’re going to, as a government, go in and seize the assets of a private company,” he said.

But Port Talbot has become symbolic of something bigger, and it’s not just about steel.

Last month, a new railway line between Oxford and Cambridge was classed as an England and Wales project, meaning Wales does not get a share of funding, and earlier this year Wales’ first minister said the allocation of HS2 funding was “unfair” for Wales.

But Welsh Labour’s Eluned Morgan may not have done enough to distance herself from the national party.

Jac Larner from Wales’ Governance Centre at Cardiff University says her emphasis on the close relationship between Welsh and UK Labour echoes the message from Scottish Labour before their vote collapsed. It makes it “easier for voters to punish both” he said.

Launching his party’s so-called contract with voters in Merthyr Tydfil, Nigel Farage said Wales has been “let down”.

The Reform UK leaders’ progress in Wales has been notable, but as has that of a lesser known party leader, Plaid Cymru’s Rhun ap Iorwerth.

Can Wales’ nationalist party echo the SNP’s success in Scotland? Both parties are fishing in the same waters for disillusioned Labour voters. Both have a real shot at power in Wales.

Reform UK are also tapping into a mood of discontent in Wales.

Leader Nigel Farage has put re-industrialisation at the centre of his pitch and even pledged to reopen Port Talbot’s steel blast furnaces.

In last year’s general election, Reform UK came second in 13 of the 32 Welsh constituencies.

Those close to Mr Farage suggest he sees the Welsh elections next year as an important stepping stone in his ambitions to get to 10 Downing Street.

Asked about Reform UK, the Plaid Cymru leader said he sees it as his “duty” to keep the party out of power in Wales.

Mr ap Iorwerth said Mr Farage’s party “have no particular interest in developing policy for Wales”.

UK

Reform took advantage of the PM’s holiday – and it’s clear he’s now changed strategy

Published

5 hours ago

September 2, 2025

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Reform took advantage of the PM's holiday - and it's clear he's now changed strategy

Immigration was the first thing on the government’s agenda to kick off the first week back from recess, and they wanted you to know it.

The home secretary gave an update to the House, announcing a shakeup of family reunion rules for asylum seekers, even before some backbenchers had made it back to parliament from their break.

Facing criticism for being on the back foot after a summer of protest outside asylum hotels, they were keen to defend their record and get back on track – but is it too late?

It’s a clear nod to the political void Reform UK has seized on while the prime minister has been on holiday.

Last week, Nigel Farage unveiled his party’s mass deportation policy – though the issue of women and children still seems to be worked out.

But perhaps none of that matters as voters overwhelmingly believe Reform cares about this issue – and as Chris Philp, the shadow home secretary, pointed out on Monday, voters have lost confidence in the government somewhat to solve what many see as an immigration crisis on their doorstep.

So it’s clear the strategy has changed from the government.

Gone are the bold slogans of “smashing the gangs” and instead, detail and policy was given on Monday. It was nothing new, but more substance on what the government has done and where they want to move to. Even controversially, reassessing their relationship with the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).

The biggest update though, was on their one-in-one-out policy agreement with France, which will now set to start returns later this month.

It’s finally hit home for the government that the public want proof not just rhetoric, and they want to know crucially when they will start to see change.

But the fightback, the reset, whatever the government wants to call it, will only make a difference once that finally starts to work.

UK

Police ask for help with unsolved murder more than 50 years ago

Published

5 hours ago

September 2, 2025

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Police ask for help with unsolved murder more than 50 years ago

Police are asking for help with an unsolved case, 52 years after the murder of a schoolboy in Belfast.

Brian McDermott was 10 when he disappeared from Ormeau Park on Sunday 2 September 1973. His remains were recovered from the River Lagan almost a week later.

Detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Legacy Investigation Branch have given a timeline of events as part of their appeal.

Brian left his home on Well Street in the lower Woodstock Road area of east Belfast at around 12.30pm and failed to return for his Sunday dinner.

Detectives said he was last seen playing alone in the playground between 1pm and 3pm that afternoon.

His remains were recovered in the water, close to the Belfast Boat Club.

A PSNI spokesperson said: “We are acutely aware of the pain and suffering that Brian’s family continue to feel, and our thoughts very much remain with the family at this time.

“Despite the passage of time, this murder case has never been closed and I am hopeful that someone may be able to provide information, no matter how small, which may open a new line of inquiry, or add a new dimension to information already available.

“It is also possible that someone who did not volunteer information at the time may be willing to speak with police now. Legacy Investigation Branch Detectives will consider all investigative opportunities as part of the review into Brian’s murder.”

UK

Premier League flexes its financial muscle in record-breaking transfer window

Published

5 hours ago

September 2, 2025

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Premier League flexes its financial muscle in record-breaking transfer window

The transfer window was a show of strength in a record-breaking summer across the Premier League.

The totaliser crept over £3bn in spending, with more than half of it flowing among the 20 clubs rather than having a redistributing effect across Europe.

The start of new Premier League TV deals – the biggest individual source of income being from Sky News’ parent company Comcast – provides certainty for the next four years, while rival leagues can struggle to sell rights.

And the feared threat from Saudi Arabia has not materialised. It is an attractive and lucrative destination for some players, but not yet the ultimate destination.

But the kingdom has still influenced this transfer window.

Let’s start with Newcastle, four years into their ownership by the Saudi sovereign wealth fund.

Having secured a return to the Champions League, bringing UEFA riches, this was the summer to grow rather than lose talent to rivals.

But the Premier League’s pecking order became clear when Alexander Isak pushed for a move to Liverpool and rejected bids that did not deter his ambitions.

Player power won out.

The 25-year-old striker was able to withdraw himself from the squad, miss the opening three matches of the season, and put out a statement claiming promises had been broken by the Magpies.

Liverpool ‘loading up on talent’

And so he held on until deadline day, biding his time, sitting it out, and standing firm. Newcastle folded, accepting £125m – £20m lower than their apparent valuation.

Breaking the British record fee was Liverpool’s American ownership flexing financial muscle like never before.

The Premier League champions allowed manager Arne Slot to build from a position of strength.

This was the second time they broke the record in this window after bringing in another forward, Florian Wirtz, in a £116m deal.

More than £400m in reinforcements arrived at Anfield in a matter of weeks.

Former Liverpool managing director Christian Purslow told Sky Sports: “Liverpool are making hay while the sun shines, going for it. Really loading up on talent.

“Other clubs should be fearful and respectful of the way [Fenway Sports Group] are running their club.”

The Isak deal weakened their Champions League rivals from the North East after banking £57m from another club owned by the Public Investment Fund when Darwin Nunez was offloaded to Saudi.

And PIF funded Chelsea’s summer spending spree in less obvious ways.

The Blues did negotiate a £44m package with PIF-backed Al Nassr deal for Joao Felix, recouping the fee paid just a year earlier.

But then there was the £90m prize money collected for winning the new FIFA Club World Cup – a competition bankrolled by PIF subsidiaries.

Where does this leave Newcastle? Still spending around £250m.

Players and Liverpool couldn’t get all their way this summer, with Marc Guehi forced to stay at Crystal Palace after the FA Cup winners failed to secure a replacement for the England centre-back.

The late drama was just the latest of the summer transfer window’s twists and turns.

Both Arsenal and Manchester United also spent more than £200m each. The Gunners spent big in pursuit of a title that’s eluded them since 2004, while the Red Devils are just trying to get back into the Champions League.

It added up to a new record total outlay that comfortably eclipsed the previous Premier League record of £2.46bn from 2023.

The £3bn is more than the rest of Europe combined, showing both where the power is in world football and why the Premier League is the one the world wants to watch.