Prime Minister Keir Starmer privately told his cabinet they can override the elected governments of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland when spending UK money, even if those governments strongly oppose it. The bombshell instruction, contained in a December memo leaked to Plaid Cymru, has triggered fury across the devolved nations and exposed deep cracks inside Welsh Labour itself.
The revelation comes just weeks before crucial Welsh and Scottish elections and has been branded “muscular unionism” by critics who warn it risks permanently damaging trust between Westminster and the nations.
What the Memo Actually Says
In the 12 December note, seen by BBC Wales and now published in full by Plaid Cymru, Starmer writes bluntly:
“We should be confident in our ability to deliver directly in those nations, including through direct spending, even when devolved governments may oppose this.”
He specifically warns ministers against being “overly deferential” to Cardiff, Edinburgh or Belfast, saying too much respect would “almost inevitably create political challenges or missed positive opportunities”.
The Prime Minister even flags the upcoming Welsh and Scottish elections in May 2026 as a moment that “cannot be underestimated” for how Labour governs the whole UK.
Starmer reminds the cabinet that new guidance has been issued to officials on using the controversial UK Internal Market Act to bypass devolved administrations on economic development projects.
The Trigger That Sparked the Row
The memo was written just weeks after eleven Welsh Labour politicians, including former counsel general Mick Antoniw and ex-health minister Vaughan Gething, publicly accused Starmer of rolling back devolution.
Their anger centred on the UK government’s decision to hand £20m directly to four Welsh councils for town centre improvements such as new bus shelters and bins, completely bypassing the Welsh Government which normally controls local government funding.
Antoniw, who is standing down from the Senedd next year, told BBC Wales the leaked memo proves Westminster “still don’t understand devolution” and bears the fingerprints of Starmer’s controversial former chief of staff Morgan McSweeney.
Firestorm in the Senedd
Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth brandished the document during First Minister’s Questions on Tuesday, accusing Starmer of launching a “direct assault on the democratic views of devolved governments”.
“This is Keir Starmer’s version of Boris Johnson’s muscular unionism,” he thundered, adding that Welsh First Minister Eluned Morgan was damaging her own government by staying “ever loyal” to the Prime Minister.
Baroness Morgan insisted she has always been “very clear” with Starmer that devolution must be respected, while pointing out there are times Westminster legitimately acts directly in Wales, citing the new Wylfa nuclear project.
But her defence drew scorn from opposition benches and even unease among some Labour backbenchers.
Scottish National Party Weighs In
Across the border, the SNP seized on the leak with glee.
SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn posted on X: “Keir Starmer’s mask has slipped. Labour are no friends of devolution, just a slightly more polite version of the Tories.”
Scottish Labour figures have stayed notably quiet so far, aware that their party is defending a razor-thin one-seat majority in Holyrood next year.
Downing Street Pushes Back Hard
Number 10 has refused to apologise.
A spokesperson insisted: “We make no apologies for being determined to deliver for people across all four nations of the UK. This government is committed to upholding the devolution settlement with mutual respect and partnership.”
They accused Plaid Cymru of a “cynical and knee-jerk interpretation” of a document that actually calls for greater collaboration.
Yet the leaked memo explicitly cautions against too much collaboration when it risks blocking UK government priorities.
The episode has revived painful memories of Tony Blair’s private doubts about Welsh devolution and Gordon Brown’s clashes with the Scottish Parliament, reminding voters that Labour’s commitment to the Union has often come with centralising instincts.
For millions in Wales and Scotland who voted for devolved parliaments expecting real power, not just permission, Starmer’s words feel like a betrayal dressed up as pragmatism.
Whether this row fades or becomes a defining issue of the 2026 elections may depend on how boldly the UK government wields these powers in the coming months.
One thing is certain: trust, once broken, is hard to rebuild.
What do you think: is Starmer protecting the Union or undermining democracy? Drop your thoughts below.
