A huge Labour civil war has broken out in Wales, as more than one third of the party’s Senedd members break cover to slam the Prime Minister for “rolling back on devolution”. A letter published today sees Labour politicians in Cardiff demand that the PM progress with “agreed steps” to devolve further powers to Wales.

It reads: “We have increasing concern about the failure to move forward with agreed steps to devolve further functions to Wales. In opposition we raised expectations of reform of the Barnett formula, devolution of rail infrastructure, policing and justice and of the Crown Estate. Not only is the Government not progressing these but it is rolling back the existing devolution settlement. The most recent example, the Pride in Place Programme, has caused considerable unhappiness amongst Welsh Labour Senedd Members. This is a UK Government programme operating in a wholly devolved area that is being designed and delivered from Whitehall.”

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The open warfare is highly dangerous for Sir Keir Starmer, just months out of make-or-break local elections next may, as polls suggest Labour could be swept from power for the first time since 1999.

Plaid Cymru’s Mabon ap Gwynfor blasted: “Labour in Wales is falling apart just months before a crucial election.

“It tells you everything you need to know about a party in complete disarray, with no influence whatsoever over their London colleagues.

“Time and again, when Starmer imposes damaging policies on Wales, Eluned Morgan has chosen to defend him rather than stand up for Wales.

“The cracks inside Labour are now clear for all to see. This is a party split and lacking confidence in its own leadership, while communities in Wales are left paying the price.

Meanwhile the Tories said Labour “are in chaos” in Wales.

A party spokesman said: “Just a week after their Budget for Benefits Street designed to appease Labour members across the country, Welsh Senedd Members have broken ranks to criticise Starmer.

“Only the Conservatives have the team, plan and leader with a backbone to deliver for every corner of the United Kingdom.”

The letter to Sir Keir is signed by Welsh Labour Senedd Members Mick Antoniw, Hannah Blythyn, Alun Davies, John Griffiths, Lesley Griffiths, Julie Morgan, Jenny Rathbone, Rhianon Passmore, Carolyn Thomas, Mike Hedges and Lee Waters.

In October Labour lost a by-election for the Senedd in Caerphilly, once unimaginable in Labour’s historic heartlands.

Sir Keir’s party was left trailing in third place behind Plaid and Reform UK, after Nigel Farage pledged to “throw everything” at the campaign in the hopes of winning his party’s first seat at the ballot box.

Plaid emerged with a majority of 3,848 votes and a swing of almost 27% from Labour on a high turnout of more than 50%. Reform candidate Llyr Powell got 12,113 votes – a sharp rise from the 495 the party got four years ago – and Labour’s Richard Tunnicliffe trailed behind on 13,289, down from 2021, when there was a lower turnout.