'I'm losing patience' Welsh first minister urges Starmer to rethink policy changes

The Welsh first minister and leader of the Welsh Labour party said yesterday she was "losing patience" with the UK party and made it clear she was "tacking to the left" to counter growing threats from Reform UK and Plaid Cymru.

- Steven Morris

Eluned Morgan told the Guardian she wanted Keir Starmer to rethink policy changes on welfare and the winter fuel allowance, and described the Labour party as a "messy family".

Morgan argued that while the UK party had time to turn its fortunes around, the task was more urgent in Wales because the Senedd elections were only a year away.

Her comments came as an opinion poll suggested Labour was trailing behind Plaid and Reform with its worst vote share (18%) since devolution a quarter of a century ago.

Morgan said of the poll: "That is a wake-up call if ever we've seen one. It is a serious challenge for us. It's a serious challenge for UK Labour."

She added: "We all need to think very seriously about delivery on the things that matter to people the most."

The first minister spoke after delivering a passionate speech launching the election campaign and what she called a "red Welsh way".

She said: "We've got a year to go and I'm losing patience. They've got time to turn things around. We have very little time to turn things around in Wales. So our patience is running out.