Stuart Andrew’s speech to Welsh Conservative Conference

Thank you, Conference, I’m delighted to be here in beautiful West Wales at Welsh Conservative Conference.

It has been wonderful to come back to my Welsh roots and I’m hugely grateful to all those in the Party in Wales who have welcomed me to my new position as Wales Office Minister – it has truly felt like coming home.

When I was first appointed I received some criticism from opposition politicians that I wasn’t ‘Welsh enough’ since I represent a Yorkshire constituency.

But, once I explained that:

• I’m a proud Welsh speaker
• I was a Wrexham councillor for many years
• And I grew up in Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch…They soon quietened down.But when I thought about it more, I realised that there are many similarities between Yorkshire and Wales.

• Leeds was originally a Welsh speaking region of ancient Britain.
• Both have proud backgrounds in the mining industry – powering our nation for centuries
• But most importantly, the people of Yorkshire and Wales are fiercely proud of their roots, their heritage, and their culture, and it’s this distinct sense of self identity which, for me, makes Yorkshire and Wales two of the best places to live in the world.And that’s why I was immensely proud to be appointed earlier this year and I want to thank the Ministerial team at the Wales Office, Lord Bourne and our PPS Glyn Davies, and of course the Secretary of State for Wales, Alun Cairns – I have seen first-hand his passion and determination to deliver for Wales and I firmly believe that one of our most significant announcements, the scrapping of the Severn Tolls, would not have happened without him. WALES AND THE FUTURE  Wales was the fastest growing country in the UK in 2016 and with 117,000 more people in work in Wales since 2010, and Welsh exports continuing to increase, we are in a strong position as we leave the EU. And whilst as Conservatives in Government we can be proud of this record, we need to constantly look ahead and ask ourselves, what are we doing to ensure Wales continues to thrive?The challenges of a global technological revolution raise important questions: how will we support our aging population? What impact with automation have on our workforce? How should we manage such rapid technological change? And of course, what impact will Brexit have on these key questions?Although there are no obvious answers, I want to outline today what the UK Government is doing to ensure we tackle these issues head on, and help deliver a Wales fit for the future. Last year we launched our UK-wide modern Industrial Strategy which sets out a vision for the future of the UK economy and a new approach to preparing for the opportunities and challenges of the coming decades.The Strategy recognises that the way we live our lives as workers, citizens and consumers is being transformed by new technologies. And it doesn’t shy away from tackling what we call the four Grand Challenges – in artificial intelligence and big data; clean growth; the future of mobility; and meeting the needs of an ageing society.And that’s why we are:

UK GOVERNMENT ACTION

• That’s why this session, Wales Fit for the Future, is so important.
• The 5 months I have had in this new role has reminded me just how far we have come as a nation – and shown me that there are many exciting opportunities ahead for Wales.
• seeing the biggest increase in public R&D investment this country has ever seen;
• boosting 5G connectivity; and
• supporting innovative business through the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund.     GROWTH DEALS   And we are already seeing support for high tech industry with a £37.9 million investment in the development of a compound semiconductor industry cluster in the region – this world-class, R&D facility is expected to leverage up to £375 million of private sector investment over the next five years, and create 2,000 high value, high-tech jobs.Here in West Wales the Swansea deal will deliver £1.3 billon of investment to the region and create 9,000 jobs. With a focus on digital technology the proposals for a Swansea tech quarter, an energy technology hub at Pembroke Dock, and Steel Science Centre at Baglan are all hugely exciting for the region.     One of the strengths we have here in Wales is in our innovative nuclear energy sector and I believe this will be crucial as we look to develop our energy capabilities over the coming years. It was only last month that I visited the Trawsfynydd nuclear site and saw for myself the potential for the development of Advanced Nuclear Technologies, including Small Modular Reactors.Anyone here today who has travelled down from North Wales will know the importance of this site as well as the development of Wylfa to the local economy and local communities in North Wales. And it is hugely exciting with Wales in poll position to lead the UK on this innovative technology – we have decades of industry experience in the energy sector which is directly transferable. Further work is going on with colleagues across Government on the viability and prospects for small modular reactors. But it is my firm conviction that North Wales has a prime claim to be the first site for this sort of development.And delivering this technology would not only boost the local economy but also benefit the wider UK energy sector, ensuring that Wales, and the rest of the country, is fit for the future. CONCLUSION
• Diolch yn fawr iawn
• I look forward to visiting more of Wales over the next few months, and getting to know better the people here today, the hard-working members of the Welsh Conservative Party.
• I understand there is uncertainty, and there will be challenges, but Wales is in a strong position to grasp the opportunities leaving the EU presents and I’m personally excited about the years ahead.
• This just shows the transformation we have seen in Wales in the last 50 years. Old industry has been replaced by modern innovative companies, we are seeing the development of the ‘internet coast’ around Swansea, creative industries flourishing in Carmarthen, and the potential for advanced nuclear technologies in North Wales.
• It’s almost impossible to believe that this racecourse was the former site of the largest open cast coalmine in Europe – built with private investment and great vision shown by one of Wales’ most successful businessmen.
• Conference, I think we can all agree that this is a fantastic venue in what is one of the most beautiful parts of our United Kingdom.

NUCLEAR

• We must get these deals right if we are to secure a Wales fit for the future.
• And I have been looking closely at plans for the North Wales deal – there has been significant progress and a lot of work from local partners, however, I have been clear, I won’t sign off a deal that doesn’t have the full participation of the private sector, and I won’t sign off on a deal unless I am convinced it is the absolute best way to spend the money to achieve our objectives in North Wales.
• The Cardiff region deal is expected to create up to 25,000 jobs and attract £4 billon of private sector investment over its lifetime.
• We want to put power back where it belongs, in the hands of local communities.
• I firmly believe that local people know what’s best for their local area – we must end the “Whitehall knows best” or indeed the “Cardiff Bay knows best” mentality of the past.
• City and Growth Deals are the building blocks of the Industrial Strategy and I’m particularly pleased that with the combination of the Swansea Bay Region Deal, the Cardiff Capital Region Deal, proposals for a North Wales Deal and plans for Mid Wales, the whole of Wales will benefit from the local, targeted support that this policy offers.
• With a world-leading reputation in these sectors, along with aerospace, steel, technology and automotive, the Industrial Strategy will build on these strengths and create new opportunities for Wales.
• Or championing creative industries where Cardiff is host to a range of expertise – from the BBC to ClothCat animations.
• Innovation in the life sciences sector where Wales is now at the forefront of a number of exciting developments across various fields, from pharmaceuticals to biotechnology.
• Whether it’s supporting Artificial Intelligence in sectors such as cyber security – an area where the Airbus Campus in Newport excels.
• And Wales must be central to this strategy.