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Welsh Labour set apart from UK party, says Morgan

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  Published in Politics and Government on Sunday, September 14th 2025 at 5:59 GMT by BBC
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Welsh Labour’s New Blueprint – “Setting Apart the UK” to Protect Welsh Priorities

In a bold move that has stirred debate across the United Kingdom, the Welsh Labour Party has unveiled a sweeping set of policy proposals that effectively “set apart” Wales from many of the decisions being made by the UK government. The document, dubbed Welsh Labour 2025: The Future of Wales, was published last week by the party’s policy team in Cardiff and promises a comprehensive overhaul of the country’s economic, social, and environmental strategy—one that prioritises Welsh interests over Westminster’s “one‑size‑fits‑all” approach.

Why the “Set Apart” Language?

Welsh Labour’s language may appear radical to some, but the party’s leadership explains that the phrase simply reflects a desire for a clearer and stronger degree of devolved power. “Wales has been historically constrained by policies that were decided in London,” says First Minister Mark Drakeford during a televised briefing at the Senedd. “We are not calling for secession; we are calling for the autonomy necessary to address our own unique challenges.” The policy paper frames this autonomy as a pragmatic response to the “concentration of power” that has characterised UK policy in recent years, especially since the 2019 parliamentary election.

The new policy set is a direct response to the UK government’s latest levelling‑up agenda, which Welsh Labour sees as insufficiently tailored to Wales’s needs. While the UK government has pledged to fund £30 billion in “regional projects,” the policy paper argues that the figure falls far short of what is required to sustain the country’s public services, and that the projects it supports are too often geared toward the Midlands and the North of England.

Key Pillars of the Proposal

1. Fiscal Independence
   Welsh Labour proposes a 0.5 percentage‑point increase in the Welsh income tax, with the revenue earmarked specifically for health, education, and infrastructure. The party also calls for a devolved borrowing limit that is independent of Westminster’s fiscal restraints. “We will take the reins on our public finances,” says policy lead Jane Rees. The proposal is modeled on the Scottish Government’s fiscal autonomy framework, and the party cites the success of Scotland’s “devolved budget” as a precedent.

2. Healthcare Sovereignty
   The policy expands the Welsh NHS’s control over budget allocations, with a particular emphasis on mental health and rural health services. The document argues that the central NHS plan is not adequately addressing the “dual‑diagnosis crisis” that Wales faces, citing a recent NHS Wales report that found a 15 percent gap in mental‑health provision compared with England.

3. Education for the Future
   A flagship initiative is the Welsh Academy Initiative, which would give the Welsh Government sole authority over curriculum standards for schools and universities. It includes a 10 percent increase in funding for STEM programs aimed at keeping Welsh students competitive in the global economy. The proposal also seeks to reduce the influence of the UK government’s “English‑centric” educational frameworks.

4. Green Energy Leap
   Wales will take a lead in renewable energy, with a target of 100 percent carbon‑free electricity by 2035. The policy commits £5 billion in green investment, specifically earmarked for offshore wind, tidal, and advanced battery storage. In line with the UK’s National Grid’s plans, Welsh Labour wants to keep the investment decision locally and ensure a Welsh workforce benefits from the jobs.

5. Public Transport and Housing
   The plan includes a £2 billion transport package, including the expansion of the Valley Lines rail network and the introduction of low‑emission buses. Housing policy calls for a 25 per‑cent increase in affordable housing and a regulatory framework that ensures local communities have a say in planning decisions.

Reactions Across the Political Spectrum

The policy has been met with a mixture of support and caution. The UK Labour Party, under Keir Starmer, has praised Welsh Labour for its “visionary approach to devolution,” yet Starmer cautions that “over‑fragmentation could lead to uneven progress across the UK.” Meanwhile, Conservative MPs have been quick to criticise the policy as a “bypass of Westminster’s oversight” and a potential source of fiscal instability.

Within the Welsh political arena, Plaid Cymru has applauded the proposal’s emphasis on Welsh autonomy but has urged that the plan be “more ambitious” in terms of fiscal independence. The Welsh Conservatives, led by Andrew Broughton, are skeptical of the plan’s feasibility and warn that a higher tax rate could deter investment.

Additional Context From External Links

The policy paper was accompanied by a series of supporting documents available on the Welsh Labour website. One of the key resources is a Fact Sheet on Devolution that explains how Wales has been granted devolved powers in the last decade, and how further autonomy could accelerate growth. A secondary link directs readers to the UK Government Levelling‑Up Review, which provides the counter‑argument on how the UK government intends to address regional disparities. Welsh Labour’s policy document also references the NHS Wales Annual Report and the Welsh Budget 2025 for detailed fiscal data.

The Bottom Line

Welsh Labour’s new policy framework signals a decisive shift toward a more robust and locally driven approach to governance. While the party is not calling for an outright break from the UK, the “set apart” stance reflects a commitment to ensuring that Welsh priorities receive a stronger voice in the national debate. The coming months will reveal whether the policy will gain traction with voters and whether Westminster will consider a more flexible model of devolution to accommodate Wales’s aspirations.

The policy’s impact on the 2026 Welsh Assembly elections remains to be seen. If voters respond positively, Welsh Labour could see a surge in support, especially among younger demographics who are keen on “homegrown” solutions for climate change, healthcare, and the economy. Conversely, if the proposal is perceived as too radical or fiscally unsound, it could spark a backlash, both from the public and from other UK parties.

Ultimately, the Welsh Labour 2025 document is a clarion call for Wales to carve out its own path within the United Kingdom—an initiative that will likely redefine the country’s relationship with Westminster in the years to come.