Wales' first minister hopes to 'jolt' Downing Street

Eluned Morgan says she hopes to "jolt" Downing Street into meeting her demands for Wales.

The first minister said she would meet Sir Keir Starmer on Thursday - two days after she called on him to rethink some benefit cuts.

BBC Wales was later told a formal meeting had not been scheduled, but both leaders were taking part in VE Day commemorations in London.

Morgan gave a speech on Tuesday where she promised to follow a "red Welsh way", even if that meant criticising the UK government.

Opposition parties criticised the first minister after the meeting with the prime minister was played down by her spokesperson.

Labour's Welsh government also wants increased funding and for Wales to see more financial benefits from wind power.

Asked on BBC Radio Wales Breakfast why the UK government had not agreed to her demands yet, the first minister said: "Let's see if this will jolt them into action.

"They've only been in power for less than a year. They inherited a terrible legacy from the Tories and they've been trying to stabilise the ship in the face of some massive international political headwinds.

"So I understand why we haven't got to the top of the list yet, but I'm saying 'we need you to focus on us, we need you to deliver for us because we've been hard done for'."

With a year to go until the Senedd election she said "we know we've got work to do".

"We know we've got to focus on delivery. That's what I'm doing," she added.

Morgan told the programme: "I'll be meeting Keir Starmer tomorrow [Thursday] in London just to start that discussion of how they are going to help us to turn this around."

However, a spokesperson for the first minister later clarified that no formal separate meeting has been scheduled.

Both leaders are due to attend a VE Day service at Westminster Abbey.

When voters go to the polls Labour will be defending a 27-year record of leading Wales' devolved government.

During that time it has been responsible for the NHS, which has seen waiting times rise to record highs in the aftermath of the Covid pandemic.

Waiting lists were coming down thanks to a "huge injection" of cash from the UK government, the first minister said.

Welsh Conservative Senedd leader Darren Millar said: "Trying to nobble someone at a very busy and important event is disrespectful to our veterans and those who fought for our freedoms."

Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth said: "Turns out, it's nothing more than rubbing shoulders with him at an event. From the day she was elected, Eluned Morgan has failed to stand up for Wales."

Plaid Cymru on Tuesday accused Morgan of making a "floundering" attempt to reset her first ministership.

The Welsh Conservatives said it was a "last ditch, desperate attempt to save the Labour party's bacon".

Reform, which is hoping to win its first seats in the Senedd next year, said Labour was "more focused on slogans than solutions".

Additional reporting: David Deans