![\"Rhun](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/81019d3b-337d-4b0b-bfa7-4a5e0d652032.png.webp\")
Image source, Senedd Cymru<\/p>\nAp Iorwerth confirms discussing independence with PMpublished at 15:46 BST<\/p>\n
15:46 BST<\/p>\n
Adam Hale
Wales political producer<\/p>\n
Image source, Senedd Cymru<\/p>\n
Rhun ap Iorwerth’s first statement to the Senedd as first minister has seen him confirm that he brought up Welsh independence with Sir Keir Starmer.<\/p>\n
“Yes, I mentioned independence,” the Plaid Cymru leader said, in response to a suggestion by Reform’s Dan Thomas that the fact he raised it in a phone call last week indicated he was distracted by constitutional matters.<\/p>\n
Plaid has ruled trying to hold a referendum on independence in the first term of a government, but has said it will set up a national commission that would look at building the case for Wales as a separate nation state.<\/p>\n
And today ap Iorwerth said he wanted to “lead a national conversation creating that confidence in our ability, undoubtedly, to be an independent nation like so many countries like ours”.<\/p>\n
In the meantime, he said his government would seek further powers for Wales<\/a>, including early progress on the devolution of justice and policing, the Crown Estate and developing a fair funding formula for the country.<\/p>\n Reform’s Thomas said he was disappointed that ap Iorwerth’s first discussion with the prime minister had touched on independence, saying “people want politicians focused on the issues that matter,” including the cost of living.<\/p>\n He said Reform had surged across Wales – with 34 seats in the Senedd – “not because of constitutional obsessions or ideology”.<\/p>\n