First minister Carwyn Jones furious at draft Welsh bill, which he says would give Westminster veto over laws devolved to Welsh assembly

The Welsh first minister has accused the UK government of treating the people of his country as second-class citizens by proposing reforms that would give English ministers a veto over laws drafted in Wales.

Carwyn Jones strongly criticised David Cameron and the Welsh Office over proposed changes to devolved government, warning they could lead to a surge in nationalism in Wales and create an “immense constitutional crisis”.

Plans on the future of devolution in Wales were published on Tuesday in the draft Welsh bill and were trumpeted by the Welsh Office as part of a “radical package” that would put the country’s devolution on a “stable and enduring footing.”

It said the bill set out important new powers over areas including energy, transport and elections. The Welsh secretary, Stephen Crabb, said: “The new Wales bill will … meet the appetite of Welsh people for devolution and build a stronger Wales within a strong United Kingdom.”

But speaking in Cardiff, Jones, who heads the Labour-led Welsh government, was clearly furious at the draft bill, which he saw for the first time on Tuesday. He said that rather than strengthening devolution, the draft bill included measures that would give English ministers a veto on Welsh laws.

Describing the document as ill thought-out and inadequate, Jones said it featured “petty rules and controls” that would “rein back” the Welsh assembly’s powers.

He said: “It means an English veto on Welsh laws. It means the assembly not having a free hand to pass laws in areas that have been devolved without the consent of a minister in Whitehall. The people of Wales deserve to be treated as equals within the UK. They do not get that with this bill as it is drafted.”

Facebook Twitter Pinterest The Welsh assembly, in Cardiff Bay. Photograph: Rex Features

Jones said several laws that have been passed over the past four years – including high-profile reforms to organ donation – would not have gone through under the new proposals without the approval of a minister in London.

The first minister said the people of Wales were being treated as second-class citizens and “inferior” to their counterparts in Scotland, Northern Ireland and England. “This bill in its current form will fan the flames of … nationalism,” he added.

Asked what he wanted now, Jones said: “A responsible prime minister would be nice” and called for the people of Wales to be treated with respect. He said that if the proposals were pushed forward there would be an “immense constitutional crisis.”

Leanne Wood, the leader of the Welsh nationalist party, Plaid Cymru, called the draft bill “feeble”. She said: “The draft Wales bill as it stands is an insult to our country. It only implements a fraction of the issues already agreed by all parties years ago. Effectively, the bill as it stands, enshrines Wales’ status as a second-class nation in the UK.”

The Welsh Conservatives welcomed the proposals. Their leader, Andrew RT Davies, said: “This is a hugely positive draft bill that will clear the murky waters of Welsh devolution and deliver a stronger settlement that’s fit to stand the test of time. For the sake of Wales, it’s absolutely crucial that Labour’s first minister backs this draft Bill and acknowledges the hugely positive benefits it will bring.

A Wales Office spokesman said: “The people of Wales want a stronger Wales within a strong United Kingdom and this bill delivers on that.

“The accusation that the draft Wales Bill provides an ‘English veto”’over Welsh laws is complete nonsense. The first minister is playing a dangerous game by peddling this nationalist rhetoric. Notwithstanding the fact that the UK government represents all four nations in our United Kingdom, Welsh government will still be able to legislate in all the devolved areas it currently can as well as in the important new policy areas being devolved to it.”

The draft bill will be subject to pre-legislative scrutiny by the Welsh affairs committee, and will be introduced to parliament in the New Year. The UK government said it would continue discussions with the Welsh government on the detail.