MP, Secretary of State for
Wales, speaking today at Conservative Party
Conference at The ICC, Birmingham said:
Thank you, conference - diolch yn fawr iawn i chi gyd [thank
you!]
I’d like to begin by paying tribute to her late Majesty Queen
Elizabeth.
Her devotion, dedication, and determination to serve her people
is an example that should inspire each and every one of us.
She was a proud to be queen of our United Kingdom. Every day on
her finger she wore a wedding ring forged from Welsh gold. A
physical reminder of the special place Wales held in her heart.
And for as long as her memory endures, she too will have a
special place in the hearts of the people of Wales.
Conference, our political opponents like to talk a lot about
their values. Mr Drakeford loves to proclaim that Labour values -
an overreaching state and a managed economy - are Welsh values.
Mr Price thinks that the people of Wales value independence above
all else.
I think we all know that they’re both wrong. We know that
Conservative values resonate with people across Wales and across
our entire United Kingdom. Let me tell you about what sets us
apart.
We Conservatives understand that Wales isn’t the isolated,
inward-looking land that the separatists seem to want. It is the
beating heart of our proud union.
We know the people of Wales share the values that define our
United Kingdom. They are aspirational, enterprising, and work
hard to build a brighter future for their children.
And I can tell you this, being a proud unionist doesn’t make
anyone less Welsh; and being a proud Welshman doesn’t make anyone
less of a unionist. The two go hand in hand.
We are all part of one United Kingdom with shared values. And we
are stronger together.
Conference, in the Senedd, Labour have gleefully jumped into bed
with Plaid Cymru. A party more focused on stoking division and
ripping apart our union than delivering for Wales.
And rather than focusing on the people’s priorities, like
delivering the M4 relief road that Welsh businesses and families
are crying out for, this dysfunctional duo are hellbent on
creating a larger Senedd, packed with even more politicians paid
out of the public purse.
More politicians. If that’s the answer, then Conference, I have
to ask, what on earth is the question?
Their plans are expensive, out of touch, and designed to fan the
flames of separatism.
But Conference, unlike Labour and Plaid, we - the Conservative
and Unionist Party - don’t believe in the politics of place; we
believe in the politics of people.
Instead of having to elect more and more politicians, we know
that what the people of Wales want is to start their own
businesses, to own their own homes, and to see their communities
flourish. We know they share the same dreams as people across our
union.
And we know pro-growth, pro-business policies can create a better
tomorrow for Wales.
Lower personal taxes will allow the people of Wales to spend more
of their money in Wales.
Lower taxes on businesses will allow Welsh companies to invest
more of their profits in Wales.
And our Freeports and Investment Zones will attract the
businesses, technology, and jobs of the future to Wales.
We also understand what the people of Wales want from the UK
Government: a hand up, not a handout.
In 2019, faced down by a Conservatism committed to levelling up
communities across our great Union, Corbyn’s Labour lost votes
and lost seats in Wales. As Wales elected 14 fantastic
Conservative MPs - the highest number in more than 30 years.
This blue tide has long been rising.
And as this Conservative Government delivers our plan to
galvanise growth, I believe it will rise higher and higher across
Wales.
Conference, our national programme will kick start growth, but it
must be reinforced by giving communities across Wales the tools
they need to harness it.
That’s why our almost £600 million shared prosperity fund is
delivering for communities in Wales. This money will be invested
by local leaders who know their communities inside out.
What’s more, we are using our freedom outside of the EU to bring
a Freeport to Wales for the very first time. Backed by millions
of UK Government funding, a Freeport will bring renewed growth to
Welsh communities.
And it’s why we’re helping families and firms directly with the
Energy Price Guarantee, so that no one will go cold this winter.
This is what taking back control can deliver for Wales.
It means we can show the world the fantastic goods and services
that only Wales has to offer - from the most advanced aircraft
wings to the most delicious lamb.
Conference, I want to finish by saying to those who might be
losing faith, not just in Wales but across the country: this
Conservative government will deliver the growth and prosperity
that is only possible in a strong United Kingdom.
Because we are not just neighbours. We are family. And we are one
nation.
And conference, only the Conservative party can deliver this
vision for a more dynamic, more prosperous, more connected United
Kingdom.
