Full Breakdown
Prime Minister Andy Burnham Signals Openness to Devolving Policing and Further Powers to Wales
8/30/2026, 11:31:38 AM
Core Development
Prime Minister Andy Burnham, on his first official visit to Wales at the Port Talbot steelworks, said he is “open to the conversation” about granting the Welsh government control over policing. He framed the proposal as part of a broader “wider policing reform” and linked it to a desire to deepen devolution for Welsh cities and regions. Burnham also indicated that requests for additional devolution – including control of the Crown Estate – would receive a “fair hearing” at an inter-governmental summit in October, when the first ministers of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are expected to meet.
Background & Context
Policing in Wales is currently administered by Westminster, unlike Scotland and Northern Ireland, which have devolved police powers. Calls for Welsh policing devolution have been raised by Plaid Cymru and Welsh Labour but were rejected by the previous UK Labour government.
Official Statements & Responses
- Deputy First Minister Sioned Williams welcomed the shift in tone, describing the meeting as “constructive” and noting that the case for devolving policing is “open and shut.”
- Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, who earlier said policing reforms would not transfer powers to Wales, was not directly quoted but her prior position provides the backdrop for Burnham’s new stance.
Criticism & Opposition
- Reform Wales Leader Dan Thomas criticised the proposal, linking Plaid Cymru’s devolution record to “failure and chaos” and questioning what Plaid would do with policing.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Burnham’s comments stop short of committing to any legislative change, leaving the precise scope of any future policing powers unclear.
- While Burnham signaled willingness to discuss the Crown Estate, he offered only a “fair hearing” at the upcoming summit.
- No timetable or funding framework for potential devolution was provided, and opposition voices suggest any move could face parliamentary resistance.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Maybe there's an argument for deeper devolution, so more power into the cities and the regions of Wales, to north Wales working more with the North West, or mid Wales more with the West Midlands, of the kind of devolution that is developing now quite quickly across England," Burnham said.” — Andy Burnham, prime minister
- “I was pleased to have a constructive meeting with the prime minister today and discuss areas of shared interest between our two governments.” — Deputy First Minister
What’s Next
The inter-governmental summit slated for October will provide the first formal venue for “fair hearings” on Welsh devolution requests, including policing and Crown Estate matters. Burnham has indicated that further announcements on devolution are expected in the coming weeks, though no specific commitments have been made.
