Burnham tells Welsh Labour it lost focus on devolution

Prime Minister Andy Burnham addressed the Welsh Labour conference in Llandudno on Saturday to discuss the party's recent electoral defeat. He spoke at Venue Cymru before members gathered for the first conference held since the Senedd election in May. Burnham suggested that the previous Labour government did not sufficiently transfer powers to local communities.

The prime minister stated that it was difficult to accept the party was no longer in power after 27 years of governing Wales. He argued that the party had stopped listening to local needs and failed to drive power down to every Welsh postcode. Burnham described the goal as a vision centered on people and places, which he believed the party had overlooked.

Burnham proposed a unified approach where all party members work in the same direction. He said he wanted to create one Labour team for Wales that pulls in the same direction without creating internal friction. This includes giving Wales a stronger national voice within the United Kingdom while supporting local communities across the country.

His speech preceded the publication of a review into the party's performance. Professor Anand Menon of PF Global led the review. The report concluded that former First Minister Eluned Morgan's strategy of challenging Westminster played a role in the loss. Menon noted that Morgan's calls for constitutional change, including the devolution of policing and the Crown Estate, did not resonate with voters.

The review found that the campaign struggled to connect with everyday policy issues. Menon stated that voters on the doorstep were more concerned with the economy, the cost of living, and the NHS than with abstract constitutional debates. The report recommended that Labour define its stance on Wales by delivering results on these key service issues rather than debating powers in the abstract.

Burnham highlighted several achievements of the previous government, including free school meals, free prescriptions, and the creation of Transport for Wales. He expressed pride in these accomplishments while outlining a vision for a reindustrialized nation with revitalized high streets. He also mentioned his recent visit to Aberfan, which he said left a strong impression of the need for fairness and dignity for all places.

The prime minister confirmed that standing charges for gas will end in the new year, following the announcement in the budget. He stated he had put the full devolution of employment support on the table with the Welsh government. The review also noted that Welsh Labour voters who switched to Plaid Cymru scored more strongly on Welsh identity, though the median voter judged parties mainly on service delivery.

Plaid Cymru won the May election and is now running the Welsh government. Labour shared most of Plaid's constitutional demands, such as policing and rail devolution, but stopped short of supporting independence. The review advises Labour to seek further powers for the Senedd only where they improve service delivery or bring decisions closer to people.