The first minister of Wales has expressed concerns about the upcoming local elections in May, stating that they could have significant implications and potentially lead to the breakup of the UK. Speaking on Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips, Baroness Eluned Morgan emphasized the possibility of the country fragmenting if nationalist leaders come to power in Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales.
«I think there’s a real possibility of that,» said Baroness Morgan, who also leads Welsh Labour. She highlighted the importance of recognizing this possibility, stating that the election results in May could have far-reaching consequences, not only for Wales and its public services but also for the entire United Kingdom. She emphasized the real danger posed by these elections.
There is speculation that the upcoming vote on 7 May could see Labour slipping to third place behind Reform in Scotland and Wales, potentially losing control of the Senedd for the first time.
Recently, Scotland’s first minister, John Swinney, suggested to Trevor Phillips that nationalist leaders could be in power across all devolved parliaments by the end of 2026. He indicated that a strong performance by the Scottish National Party (SNP) could pave the way for another independence referendum.
The upcoming elections in May include council elections, mayoral elections, and Scottish and Welsh parliament elections, all of which are crucial for Sir Keir Starmer’s political future.
Baroness Morgan acknowledged that the prime minister would face inevitable pressure if his party suffers significant losses in these elections.
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Speculation is rife about potential challengers and future prime ministers, with Wes Streeting and Andy Burnham among the names being mentioned.
Despite rumors, allies of Sir Keir indicated in November that he would not step down without a fight and would resist any attempts to remove him from his position.
The full interview with Baroness Morgan will be aired tomorrow on Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips at 8.30am.