First Minister’s announcement demonstrates “more catch-up” and even less “foresight”

Responding to the First Minister’s announcement that he intends to “sell Wales to the world like never before”, a spokesperson for the Welsh Conservatives said:

“Today’s press conference was yet another demonstration of the First Minister playing catch-up in the aftermath of the referendum vote.

“Catch-up Carwyn’s approach to governance has to date been defined by a distinct lack of proactivity and a drought of ideas – and this announcement is more evidence of that.

“For example, Welsh Conservatives have for the past five years been calling for a fairer deal on business rates, which the Labour-led Welsh Government is only now seeing fit to redress.

“While we welcome any efforts to champion Wales’ business credentials on the global stage, the First Minister has conveyed no foresight in what Wales will look like post-Brexit, so it is curious as to what message he will be imparting on his US tour.

“Now more than ever the Welsh Government needs to show strong leadership and confidence in how it intends to carry Wales forward through this unheralded period of opportunity.

“Welsh Conservatives stand ready to engage with what it hopes will be a consensual approach to promoting Wales to the wider world.”