September 16, 2026 - 142 views
The Welsh Conservatives are calling on First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth to focus on improving public services rather than constitutional reform, following a meeting in Cardiff involving the leaders of Plaid Cymru, the SNP and Sinn Féin.
Welsh Conservative leader Darren Millar made the comments in the Senedd, after the political leaders signed an agreement calling for greater cooperation and for the UK Government to prepare for possible constitutional change.
The agreement says Wales, Scotland and Ireland have the right to determine their own futures democratically. It also identifies practical areas for cooperation including the economy, energy, international relations and links with Europe.
Mr Millar said the First Minister should instead concentrate on "raising standards in schools and hospitals", pointing to recent concerns about both education and the NHS in Wales.
His comments come as the Welsh Government has itself announced a new plan to improve literacy and numeracy, following Wales' relatively poor performance in the latest PISA international education tests. The new plan includes clearer expectations for schools, a baseline assessment when children start school and new measures to track progress.
There have also been concerns about health services. A recent Healthcare Inspectorate Wales (HIW) inspection found serious patient safety and governance concerns in the Emergency Department at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, including problems with medicines, equipment, waiting-area monitoring and aspects of paediatric care. HIW also acknowledged the pressure staff were working under and praised their compassion and professionalism. A follow-up inspection found improvements in several of the areas of immediate concern.
But the constitutional debate is not necessarily separate from the question of public services.
Rhun ap Iorwerth has argued that Wales needs greater powers to shape its own future, while the Cardiff agreement also includes cooperation on economic growth, child poverty, living standards and fiscal arrangements.
The meeting was also held by the politicians in their capacity as party leaders, rather than as a formal meeting of the three devolved governments.
The First Minister has previously said his Government's priorities include cutting waiting lists, supporting families, growing the Welsh economy, tackling child poverty and raising education standards.
The argument now is therefore about priorities as much as constitutional politics: the Welsh Conservatives say improving services should come first, while Plaid Cymru argues that changing the relationship between Wales and Westminster is part of creating the powers it believes Wales needs to address those challenges.
