The First Minister of Wales has officially urged Andy Burnham to establish a “new deal” during his inaugural keynote address at a Plaid Cymru annual conference since assuming office.

Rhun ap Iorwerth addressed party members in Llandudno on Friday, asserting that his administration possesses a “clear mandate” to transfer additional powers from the Westminster government.

After leading his nationalist party to a historic victory over Labour in the Senedd elections held in May, the First Minister disclosed that he had reached out to Burnham on Thursday, requesting a “new deal” aimed at correcting the long-standing inequities in Wales’ fiscal and constitutional arrangements, thereby ensuring that Wales is treated equally to Scotland at the very least.

Receiving a standing ovation from conference attendees, ap Iorwerth stated, “This new deal – unprecedented in nature – is a request from a Welsh First Minister for the UK government to recognize Wales not merely as a region of England, but as a nation in its own right. It is a new deal intended to secure powers that will ultimately contribute to economic growth and enhance outcomes for all.”

His extensive 2,000-word letter to Burnham outlined a case for the devolution of powers concerning policing, justice, rail infrastructure, and management of the Crown Estate.

In a recent conversation with the Guardian, ap Iorwerth expressed optimism about the positive initial exchanges with Burnham, contrasting sharply with his previous experiences with Keir Starmer. Nonetheless, the Welsh Labour faction in Westminster remains generally resistant to further devolution to Cardiff, particularly given that Labour no longer holds control in the Senedd.

On Friday, the First Minister remarked, “I genuinely believe that both the new Prime Minister and I aspire to foster a constructive and positive relationship. I have made it clear to him not to undermine Wales as a nation or circumvent our Senedd, and he assured me of his commitment to that promise. I intend to hold him accountable.”

Since taking office, Burnham has emphasized his support for regional devolution within England, though his stance towards the established devolved governments in Belfast, Cardiff, and Edinburgh is still evolving.

Plaid Cymru’s recent electoral triumph marked the end of Labour’s century-long dominance in Wales and stymied the rise of Nigel Farage’s Reform UK. Historically, Welsh Labour governed since the inception of devolution in 1999 but managed to secure only nine out of 96 seats in the newly formed Senedd. The party has experienced a decline in support over the years, largely due to dissatisfaction with public services, which have lagged behind those in other UK nations across various metrics.

Ap Iorwerth’s victory also signifies a first in which nationalist parties concurrently govern Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, although Plaid Cymru has indicated it will not pursue an independence referendum during its initial term.

The previous autumn’s conference in Swansea was charged with enthusiasm, as members sensed a shift in Welsh political dynamics. In contrast, this first conference as a governing party was more subdued and familial compared to those of competitors with greater financial resources and more seats in Westminster.

The First Minister’s call for a “new deal” came shortly after a significant meeting involving leaders from Plaid Cymru, Sinn Féin, and the Scottish National Party, where they collectively reaffirmed their nations’ rights to pursue independence from the UK.

Support for Scottish independence has remained between 45% and 50% since the 2014 referendum, with indications that interest is rising in Wales and Northern Ireland, where support currently stands at 32% and 36%, respectively.

Burnham is anticipated to meet with the three First Ministers from the Celtic nations towards the end of October.

A spokesperson for the UK government stated, “This administration is dedicated to fostering a more robust and equitable Wales within a stronger and fairer United Kingdom. Our current focus is on collaborating with the Welsh government to empower local leaders and communities to achieve sustainable growth and job creation in every area.”