Addressing the annual Welsh Conservative Party Conference in Llangollen, Paul Davies AM, Deputy Leader of the Welsh Conservatives in the National Assembly, said:
“Ladies and gentlemen, itâs great to be back here in Llangollen and Iâm delighted to open a session on a subject very close to my heartâŚ.rural Wales.
“Itâs undeniable that Welsh Labour policies have been detrimental to those living in rural Wales.
“Friends, the pace of Labourâs centralisation agenda is accelerating on every front â health, education, local government â the list goes on.
“Labour Ministers are hell bent on stripping our rural communities down and leaving us to fend for ourselves.
“And yet friends, itâs rural Wales that is the backbone of our economy and where our cultural identity comes alive.
“Thousands of visitors come to visit our National Parks, our beautiful coastline and our breath-taking landscapes.
“Indeed, the National Trust describes Wales as âa land of myths and legends, vibrant history and culture, stately homes, mighty castles and great gardens, surrounded by rugged coast and dramatic landscapesâ
“And Welsh Labour not only take this for granted, they simply turn their backs on it.
“Welsh Conservatives on the other hand continue to stand up for our vibrant rural communities.
“Ladies and gentlemen, Iâm delighted to be joined by such wonderful ambassadors of rural Wales this afternoon, who will be emphasising the importance of rural Wales and the challenges our communities face.
“Our first speaker is Gary Price, who is our Assembly Candidate in Brecon & RadnorshireâŚa seat which we will turn blue this May.
“Gary has been relentless in his campaign to remove Kirsty Williams from her position and complete the last piece of the puzzle to see Powys becoming a true Conservative heartland.
“Weâre also joined by Simon Baynes, the Assembly Candidate for Clwyd South.
“Simon worked for a leading UK investment bank before entering politics, and as a former bank manager myself, Iâm delighted to be joined by a kindred spirit, who has also worked with small and medium sized businesses â who are very much the backbone of rural Wales.
“Our next speaker is also no stranger to rural business – Barbara Hughes – who is standing on the regional list in North Wales.
“Now, if anyone understands some of the challenges facing our rural communities, then itâs Barbara, as she continues to sit on the Royal Welsh Agricultural Societyâs Clwyd advisory committee and is a board member at Arla Food.
“Sheâs also a former dairy chairman for the Women Food and Farming Union and the first lady chairman of NFU Cymruâs Wrexham branch, Barbara is no shrinking violet.
“Friends, I also understand that she shares a birthday with the late, great Baroness Thatcher â so ladies and gentlemen, we may very well be in the company of Walesâ first Iron Lady!
“Weâre also joined by Cllr Aled Davies, who is also standing on the regional list, but this time in Mid & West Wales.
“Aled is also a farmer, as well as the County Councillor for Llanrhaeadr Ym Mochnant & Llansilin and the Joint Leader of the Welsh Conservative Group on Powys County Council.
“As a prominent local politician, Aled is all too well aware of the sweeping cuts that Welsh Labour has delivered to rural authorities and the impact that that has had on local public service delivery.
“And last but certainly by no means least, Iâm delighted that my colleague and good friend, Russell George, will be closing this afternoonâs session.
“Russ is a fantastic Assembly Member for Montgomeryshire and is Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Rural Affairs at the Senedd.
“Throughout this Assembly election and beyond, my colleagues and I will continue to campaign for the rural-proofing of Government policies to ensure that the voice of our rural communities is heard loud and clear.
“Now Iâve made it quite clear, since I was elected back in 2007, that the Welsh Government should recognise that a one-size fits all approach to governing Wales is simply unacceptable.
“What works for the people of Cardiff, Caerphilly and Cwmbran, doesnât necessarily work for the people of Conway, Cilgerran and Crickhowell.
“Sadly, this important point continues to fall on deaf ears on this Welsh Labour Government.
“Friends, Iâm sure many of you in this room face the same challenges that I do living in a rural areas â challenging transport links â which are blighted by the slightest changes in weather â substandard broadband coverage â and problems accessing vital health services, whether that be specialist services at a hospital or even just an NHS dentist.
“Well just because we live in rural areas it does not mean that we must simply do with what weâve got – we should not be treated like second-class citizens.
“The Welsh Labour Government must see past the Cardiff Bay bubble â and start delivering for the people of rural Wales.
“Let us remember that if it wasnât for rural Wales, tourism figures would be worse than they are and agricultural produce would be low.
“Labour Ministers rely on rural Wales to deliver for the rest of the countryâŚbut the irony is the Welsh Government continues to turn its back on it!
“In my own constituency, the biggest challenge facing local communities is the continued threat to our health services.
“As a Conservative I, of course, believe in local health services for local people.
“Thatâs why Stephen Crabb, Angela Burns, Simon Hart and I have been pressing the Labour Government to retain vital services at Withybush hospital.
“The decision by the Health Minister to close the Special Care Baby Unit and the decision to downgrade paediatric services by the local Health Board are appalling and will have a knock on effect on other services and put lives at risk.
“We in west Wales already have to travel further afield for specialist treatment and we accept that â but to force us to travel further afield for life saving services is totally unacceptable.
“For us in Pembrokeshire itâs absolutely dangerous â and I say dangerous because weâve seen the A40 between Haverfordwest and Carmarthen closed several times this year due to accidents.
“So travelling from Pembrokeshire to Carmarthen in those circumstances in an emergency situation would be impossible.
“Welsh Labour has a record of centralising and downgrading our health services not just in west Wales, but in North Wales too – and their reckless decision-making will have a knock on effect on other services and put lives at risk.
“Friends, we accept that living in a rural area means that we already have to travel further afield for specialist treatment and we accept that â but to force us to travel further afield for life saving services is totally unacceptable.
“No-one should be forced to travel further afield for life-saving treatment. Itâs dangerous. And itâs life threatening!
“Ladies and gentlemen, itâs not just access to health services that is the only problem for people living in rural Wales.
“My colleagues and I have passionately lobbied for better rural connectivity across Wales â an issue felt by many right across the Country.
“Whether itâs mobile phone coverage or broadband speed, rural premises are still facing significant challenges in obtaining the services they so desperately need.
“In this day and age, a successful economy is dependent on a fast and efficient broadband service and in many areas â including parts of my own constituency, rural businesses are being held back.
“This does nothing to help our businesses flourish and compete in the global race.
“Substandard mobile coverage can also be detrimental to businesses â and can be dangerous for people living in rural areas that are in need of medical treatment.
“Thatâs why we need to see a Welsh Conservative government in Cardiff working with the UK Government to deliver a better deal for rural businesses.
“Conference Rural Wales has the potential to flourish as a driver for economic growth â but it needs support, not neglect.
“Businesses need to seeâŚ
“investment in our infrastructureâŚ
“investment in our connectivityâŚ
“FriendsâŚbusinesses need to see investment in our rural communities.
“But itâs not just businesses that are being neglected by this tired socialist GovernmentâŚour children and young people are too.
“Recently weâve seen some pretty controversial plans for school reorganisation in places like Powys.
“And I can tell you that itâs not just Powys that is facing controversial school reforms.
“But our message is absolutely clear: if a school is successful then it should be allowed to remain open.
“Schools are not just places in which our children are taught; they are an important part of our communities.
“Ladies and gentlemen, more consideration must be given to the local community when reorganising schools in WalesâŚ
“More consideration must be given to the impact on the Welsh language when reorganising schools in WalesâŚ
“âŚand more consideration must be given to the effect of any closures on the standards of education in the area.
“Now it would be remiss of me to open a panel on rural affairs without mentioning the important role of the agricultural industry.
“Times have been tough for our farmers.
“Whether itâs bovine tb, commodity markets, or delayed payments from the Basic Payment Scheme, these are all matters of huge concern.
“We know that here in Wales, Labour is already making record-breaking cuts to the rural affairs budget.
“Underinvestment in this portfolio will just heap more and more pressure on farmersâ right across the country.
“Conference, this is the legacy of Welsh Labour.
“We produce the most incredible food and drink here in Wales â food and drink which is celebrated at County Shows, food festivals and events throughout the calendar year.
“And yet whilst Labour Ministers rely on rural Wales to deliver for the rest of the country⌠the irony is the Welsh Government continues to turn its back on it.
“Thatâs why itâs time for a Welsh Government that listens to the voice of rural Wales.
“Weâve just seen Welsh Labour publish this yearâs local government settlement â and surprise surprise – rural councils will suffer the most for another year in row, whilst Labour led authorities are the winners yet again.
“My own local council faces a 2.8% cut – whilst Cardiff, for example faces a cut of just 0.1% – that is a scandal!
“Friends, let us remember that this is not just an anxious settlement for councils but also for hardworking families, who may see their Council Tax bills rise as a result of the this Welsh Labour Government.
“Conference, local people will bear the brunt of Welsh Labourâs contempt for rural Wales.
“Thatâs why Iâm proud that Welsh Conservatives in government will reform the funding formula to provide a fairer deal for rural Wales.
“Iâm proud that Welsh Conservatives in government will continue to promote a diverse policy platform which better prioritises the distinct needs of rural Wales; and ensures that policies better consider the unique needs of these communities.
“And conference, Iâm proud that Welsh Conservatives in government will see the investment that rural Wales so desperately needs.
“Friends, itâs even more important than ever that the Conservative voice is heard in rural Wales.
“Of course, canvassing sparsely populated areas presents a unique set of challenges â but itâs certainly good for your fitness levels, our panel can tell you!
“But if we want to see real change in our rural communities, we need to go out there and make it happen.
“This May, voters have a clear choice between a tribal Labour party with no desire to support our rural communities.
“Or Welsh Conservatives, who under the leadership of Andrew RT Davies, a man himself of rural Wales, will deliver the changes needed to stimulate our rural economy and showcase the best of rural Wales.
“So letâs get out there and deliver for rural Wales.”
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