Welsh Conservative leader vows to “bring rural Wales in from the cold”

-Countryside communities need increased powers, a stronger voice in government and better public services
-Conservative pledges: The creation of a new senior cabinet post for rural affairs, a boosted profile and take-up of ‘Made-In-Wales’ produce, the eradication of bovine TB and introduction of mandatory CCTV in slaughterhou

The leader of the Welsh Conservatives, Andrew RT Davies, will today unveil plans to “bring rural Wales in from the cold”, as part of a manifesto commitment to offer countryside communities increased powers, a stronger voice in government and greater support.

An event in Llanbister, Powys, will today (Friday 8 April) mark the launch of the Welsh Conservatives’ Mid Wales Assembly election campaign.

A third of people in Wales live in a rural area. Countryside communities face a series of unique challenges which Labour Ministers have, in their 17 years in power, simply ignored.

One of the most pressing challenges facing rural communities is Powys County Council’s plan to close a number of rural schools. The prospect of these closures is a source of much distress among locals and threatens to hurt the local economy – not to mention disruption to the education of local children. Welsh Conservatives are campaigning hard to ensure that this does not happen.

Welsh Conservatives believe that Wales needs a government which recognises the specific needs of our rural communities, offering local people a far bigger say over the decisions that affect them; whilst cutting red tape for agriculture, valuing high quality local produce, protecting rurally based public services and giving greater priority to animal health and welfare.

If elected to government following May’s Assembly elections, a Welsh Conservative Government will:

• Provide much-needed stability in agriculture

–          by creating a senior cabinet post for rural Wales.

–          by implementing a ‘Red Meat’ Charter to support Welsh farmers.

–          by introducing a scientifically led programme to rid Wales of bovine and wildlife TB.

• Promote ‘Made-in-Wales’ produce

–          by increasing public sector procurement of Welsh produce.

–          by delivering an industry-led rejuvenation of Wales’ food and drink strategy.

–          by supporting dedicated ‘Taste Towns’ to promote produce and encourage food tourism.

• Improve public services and ensure animal welfare

–          by delivering universal broadband and mobile coverage across Wales by 2019.

–          by introducing a ‘scrutiny panel’ to assess the impact of policies on rural areas.

–          by guaranteeing local communities a ‘Right to Bid’ to take over rural services.

–          by introducing CCTV in slaughterhouses to help enforce welfare standards.

Other key pledges include a safeguarding of funding for Young Farmers’ Clubs and the Urdd; a consolidation of wildlife law into a single and accessible Assembly Act; and reform the Local Government funding formula to ensure the challenges of delivering public services in rural Wales are accurately reflected.

Welsh Conservative leader and farmer, Andrew RT Davies, said:

“Now – more than ever – Welsh rural communities need more support and empowerment. With the challenges they face at an all-time high, we want to see local people having a far bigger say in the decisions that affect them.

“As First Minister, I would give rural communities the opportunity to make decisions for themselves. We would listen to feedback and provide all possible support for a bright and vibrant future.

“Eighty five per cent of Wales is rural, one third of the Welsh population live in rural Wales and the rural economy is worth over 13 billion pounds.

“Welsh Conservatives would stand up for the farming industry and the rural communities around it.

“Assessing the impact of government policies shouldn’t be done by the same civil servants who draw it up. That responsibility should lie with the people who know best – rural communities themselves.

“From boosted promotion of Welsh food to a stronger voice in Cardiff Bay; these proposals provide a clear taster of a simple Welsh Conservative message: We are standing up for countryside communities and we will bring rural Wales in from the cold.”

Prospective Welsh Conservative Assembly Member, Russell George, said:

“Rural communities make Wales tick and we believe they should be given more power to control their own futures, decentralising decision making away from Cardiff Bay to the communities which know what they need to secure their own futures.

“Welsh Conservatives are committed to prioritising rural communities. A vibrant rural economy is vital for economic prosperity and rural communities are essential for food production and land management.

“That Welsh Labour have relegated Rural Affairs to a junior cabinet post speaks volumes for Labour’s neglect of agriculture and the countryside.

“A Welsh Conservative Government would end this neglect and stand up for rural Wales.”

Gary Price, Welsh Conservative candidate for Brecon and Radnorshire, said:

“Powys County Council’s plans to close a number of our excellent schools are nothing short of appalling. Talented teachers will be removed from our area, our economy will be hurt and the door will be closed on our children’s education if these proposals go ahead.”