At a meeting of finance committee earlier this week, former first minister and now Finance Secretary, Mark Drakeford, indicated that his government was “engaged” with UK counterparts over the issue of rail funding.
He told Senedd members he was looking for a “sensible and pragmatic conclusion” to the HS2 issue, but said the issue was broader than just the high speed rail line.
Welsh Conservative Senedd leader Andrew RT Davies said Morgan’s comments were “hardly surprising”.
“HS2 consequentials for Wales are a no-brainer, but now that it’s a Labour government that has to shell out the funding, Welsh Labour have gone soft on the issue,” he said.
“The first minister should stop putting her party first.”
Plaid Cymru’s transport spokesperson, Peredur Owen Griffiths said the first minister’s commitment was “just more empty words.”
“All we heard from the Labour Party during their general election campaign was that two Labour governments would work effectively together.
“Now, the first minister says she will ‘beat a path to the Chancellor’s door’ to ask for HS2 cash.
“That cooperation is clearly faltering if the first minister needs such aggressive tactics to reach a member of her own party.”
A UK government spokesperson said it was “committed to resetting relationships with the devolved governments and will work closely with them on rail in Wales”.
“The UK government is responsible for heavy rail infrastructure across England and Wales, improving transport connectivity and services for people.
“That means the UK government spends money on this in Wales rather than funding the Welsh government to do so.”
