Prime Minister Andy Burnham has suggested Welsh Labour may have lost sight of some devolution principles before its historic Senedd election defeat in May. Speaking at the Welsh Labour conference in Llandudno on Saturday, Mr Burnham said it was "hard" to accept the party was no longer in power after 27 years.
Mr Burnham suggested the previous Labour government did not do enough to pass powers down to communities. He stated, "Somewhere along the way perhaps we lost sight of some of the principles that drove devolution in the first place."
His comments come ahead of the publication of a review into the election outcome. A report by Prof Anand Menon of PF Global indicated that former First Minister Eluned Morgan's political strategy, which included calls for constitutional change like the devolution of policing and the Crown Estate, did not connect with voters. However, a source close to Ms Morgan called it "ludicrous" to suggest she was focused on constitutional issues, claiming she concentrated on the NHS and jobs.
Welsh Labour leader Ken Skates has also criticised his party for an excessive focus on powers for the Senedd. Mr Burnham expressed a desire for "one Labour team" where "everyone" is "signed up and on the same page," and pledged a "vision for a stronger Wales in a fairer United Kingdom."
The Prime Minister also confirmed that standing charges for gas will be scrapped in the new year, an announcement made at the Budget.