Vow to end rural isolation in Wales

The leader of the Welsh Conservatives, Andrew RT Davies, will today outline plans to end the isolation of rural communities in Wales with manifesto commitments offering increased powers, a stronger voice in government and greater support.

A third of people in Wales live in a rural area, which accounts for 85% of our nation’s landmass. Countryside communities face a series of unique challenges which Labour Ministers have, in their 17 years in power, ignored.

Among the most pressing challenges facing rural communities are hospital and school closures, poor infrastructure, bovine TB, limited public transport, a lack of affordable housing and a digital connectivity gap.

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:

Improve rural healthcare and housing

–           by preventing hospital closures and reorganisation.

–           by developing a rural health specialism, ensuring the NHS recognises rural needs.

–           by supporting Rural Housing Enablers to deliver affordable rural housing.

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 ‘Taste Towns’ to promote produce and encourage food tourism.

Empower rural communities, increase connectivity 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 better public services to a stronger voice in the Cardiff Bay bubble; these proposals provide a clear Welsh Conservative message: We are standing up for countryside communities and we will end the state of isolation in which they currently exist.”

Montgomeryshire Assembly candidate, 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.”