Gareth Lewis: Labour’s dividing lines are emerging

In the general election manifesto there’s a promise to “explore” the devolution of probation and “consider” the devolution of youth justice. Passive language.

Vaughan Gething’s only slightly older manifesto from his recent leadership campaign used more active words… there would be “support” for the devolution of justice, youth justice, policing and probation “as is established Welsh Labour policy”.

Mr Gething also wanted the devolution of powers for the Crown Estate in Wales – it’s the seabed, so important for potential offshore windfarms – and equivalent funding for HS2 high speed rail.

Neither is in the general election manifesto.

You might well agree with Jo Stevens, you might well agree with Vaughan Gething and Welsh Labour. You might not really care who controls what.

So why does it matter?

Well, Mr Gething is under pressure because of the donations scandal.

His political opponents are now trying to portray him as marginalised from Labour’s decision-making process – something he denies.

Both Welsh and UK Labour are pushing hard on the benefits to Wales of Labour governments in Westminster and the Senedd.

But Welsh Labour – whose voters are being courted by both Plaid Cymru and now Reform – will need something to show for it at the Senedd election in 2026.

If there are no more powers and not enough extra cash to win over voters, then what does Mr Gething – assuming he is still in charge – highlight as the practical benefits of having not one, but two Labour governments?