Tomorrow (Saturday 28 June) Prime Minister will address Welsh Labour
Conference and promise a “stronger future for every person”, with
“two Labour governments, working together for the people of
Wales”.
Addressing the Conference almost a year on from his Party's
historic General Election victory, the Prime Minister will say
that his is a government that is “cutting bills and creating
jobs” through his Plan for Change after the “chaos and division”
of 14 years of UK Conservative Government.
At last year's General Election, Welsh Labour won 27 out of 32
Parliamentary seats in Wales and the Conservatives were wiped
out, with no Tory MPs now left in Wales. Since being elected,
Keir Starmer's Labour Government has worked hand in hand with
Eluned Morgan's government in Wales, delivering record investment
in Wales, with over £400 million announced earlier this month at
the Spending Review for Welsh railways, the biggest investment in
defence spending since the Cold War, and a boost of up to
£1,400 to Welsh workers' pay packets by increasing the minimum
wage.
But the Labour Leader will warn of the dangers of a “backroom
stitch up” between the Tories, Reform, and Plaid ahead of next
year's Senedd elections. The Prime Minister will warn that such a
coalition would mean a return to the chaos and division of the
past, “whether that's with Reform, or with Plaid's determination
to cut Wales off from the rest of the country - with no plan to
put Wales back together.”
Starmer will say the important work the Welsh Government and his
UK Government are doing together to deliver for Wales is just
getting started and the only way to keep driving that progress
forwards is with , a “fierce champion” for
Wales and “the best person to lead Wales into the future.”
The Prime Minister will make clear that a UK Labour
government, working hand in hand with a Labour government in
Wales, is delivering for working people in Wales, with a record
uplift in funding since July. He will say:
“Who's raised the minimum wage, putting £1,400 in the pockets of
the lowest paid? And saving people £150 on their energy bills
this winter? Labour.
“Who's secured the triple lock, extended the carer's allowance,
and made pensioners £400 better off? Labour.
“Who's delivered stronger rights for workers, with sick pay,
maternity and paternity leave, ending fire and re-hire?
Labour.
“This is the Party that has got wages rising faster in the first
ten months than the Tories managed in ten years. This is the
government that is cutting bills and creating jobs. This is the
movement that will rebuild Britain and renew Wales.
“So when people ask “who's got the interests of working
people at their heart?” The answer each and every time is
Labour. It always has been the Labour Party. And it always will
be the Labour Party.”
The Prime Minister will say his is government rolling up
its sleeves and investing in Wales' future in a new era of trade,
defence, industry and technology:
“In everything I do, at home or on the world stage, I know who
I'm fighting for. I know who I'm keeping in my mind's eye. The
Welsh workers I speak to at businesses like Airbus in Broughton,
or Brechfa Forest Windfarm. The communities I visited on the
campaign trail last year, from Abergavenny to Carmarthen. Because
let me tell you this, we have entered a new era. In trade, in
defence, in industry, in technology - across the board - that
will impact almost every aspect of our lives.
Previous governments have made a choice to stick their heads in
the sand, pretend it's not happening. But working people paid the
price with rising insecurity, bills that went through the roof,
because of our exposure to energy markets controlled by tyrants
like Putin.
“Politicians who didn't make the investments we needed in the
technology and industries of the future, which meant not just the
loss of jobs, loss of income, but also the loss of a way of life
- including in communities here in Wales. That's why this
government is making different choices.”
The Prime Minister will highlight the three international trade
deals the Conservatives failed to deliver and his Labour
Government has, bringing direct benefits for Wales, including
boosting iconic brands like Penderyn Whisky.
He will also underline the impact signing these deals will have
on delivering lower food prices for Welsh consumers and how this
is another way his government is putting more money back in the
pockets of working people.
Warning of the risk of a dodgy back room deal between the
Tories, Reform, and Plaid Cymru, the Labour Leader is expected to
say:
“Or, there's the other option. The risk of rolling back all
the progress we're beginning to make. A return to the chaos and
division of the last decade. A backroom stitch up between the
Tories, Reform and Plaid. And once again, it will be working
families left to pick up the bill.
“Whether that's with Reform, or with Plaid's determination to cut
Wales off from the rest of the country - with no plan to put
Wales back together.
“No, conference – people do want change. Urgently. I know that.
And these other parties talk a big game. But who is actually
delivering it? Who's delivered a record uplift to Welsh
funding?
“Labour.”
Ends
Notes:
- The Prime Minister is expected to address Welsh Labour
Conference at approximately 10:05 on Saturday 28 June. A
livestream will be available and pool broadcast arrangements will
be in place.
