Calls for a meeting with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer have been snubbed by No 10, the leader of Plaid Cymru has told Sky News.
Rhun ap Iorwerth, who has served as leader of the Welsh nationalist party since June 2023, is looking likely to become Wales’s first minister next May, but when he asked to meet with Sir Keir after his election last year, he says he was turned down.
Speaking with Sky News’ political correspondent Liz Bates, Mr ap Iorwerth said he had “never” had a conversation with the prime minister but it was “not because I haven’t tried”.
He added: “When I contacted the prime minister to ask for a meeting, after his election last year, I was turned down and it was passed on to the Secretary of State for Wales.
“People can read into that what they want.
“I’ve spoken very openly about wanting to have a constructive relationship with the UK prime minister.”
The former journalist said in his reporting days he had not interviewed Sir Keir and now, in politics, their “paths had never crossed” but he said he felt it was “important”.
“I have certainly asked if we could meet. And that is certainly something that I would still love to happen,” he said.
Mr ap Iorwerth said a conversation would be key because if he became Welsh first minister, there would be “serious negotiations on serious issues around funding for Wales – on investing in infrastructure in Wales, on the future of how we’re able to influence and use our natural resources in Wales”.
“So I want to have that constructive relationship,” he said.
In an apparent nod to current Labour first minister Eluned Morgan, Mr ap…
