On May 30, 2024, Keir Starmer, the Labour leader, visited Abergavenny in Wales to launch the Labour Party's general election campaign. The event was tightly controlled, with journalists receiving late notifications about the venue and undergoing stringent security checks. The gathering took place at the Priory Centre and featured key Labour figures, including Vaughan Gething and Jo Stevens.
The event centered on Starmer's message of presenting himself as a contrast to Conservative Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, highlighting themes like honesty and collaboration. Various Labour candidates for Welsh constituencies spoke, signaling the party’s target areas for the upcoming election.
Although Starmer mingled briefly with the public, most of his interactions were within the controlled environment of the event. Notably, Starmer's speech and the remarks from other speakers did not provide new detailed policies for Wales, maintaining a general focus on Labour's national pledges.
The visit comes amid internal Labour controversies in Wales, particularly concerning First Minister Vaughan Gething, who is facing a no-confidence vote. Starmer emphasized the importance of a Labour government in both Cardiff and Westminster working together, a situation he described as a “gamechanger” for Wales.