Conservative leader says Wales cannot afford to lose more strategic jobs as she attacks Reform and backs Darren Millar
MI BADENOCH said she was “absolutely horrified” by the loss of Britain’s industrial strength as she visited Valero Pembroke Refinery on Wednesday.
Speaking at the site, the Conservative leader said the refinery was of major importance to Wales and the wider UK, warning that too few politicians were prepared to stand up for the industry and the jobs connected to it.
She said: “I am here at Valero because this is the last oil refinery left in Wales. There are no more in Scotland. I am absolutely horrified about the loss of sovereign industrial capacity. This is very, very important not only for the United Kingdom but specifically for Wales as well.”
Badenoch said the Pembrokeshire refinery remained a crucial part of the Welsh economy.
She said: “This refinery alone is about 15% of Wales’ exports. And no one is sticking up for this industry. No one is sticking up for the jobs that are being lost.
“That is one of those things that I wanted people here to know — that we are thinking about the future, not just at election time, but all the time.”
The visit came as the Conservatives try to regain ground in Wales ahead of the Senedd election, with Badenoch using the stop in Pembrokeshire to underline her party’s message on energy security, industry and employment.
She was also asked by The Herald why right-wing voters should not abandon the Conservatives in favour of Reform UK, which has been gaining traction by arguing that the Tories failed on immigration and the economy.
In a sharply-worded reply, Badenoch said voters should think carefully before backing Nigel Farage’s party.
She said: “Voters on the right need to remember that Reform’s last leader in Wales is now in prison for taking bribes from Russia. Those are the sorts of people who are in Reform. They are not serious about delivering.
“If you look at what they have done in England in the councils, they have made a mess. Conservatives acknowledge that we have made mistakes.
“What we are doing now is having a new offer. A new party with a new leader. Not just in Westminster but also here in Wales. This is the first time Darren Millar is putting himself forward to be First Minister.
“I believe that he is the most hard-working person. He is the one that can actually deliver a proper plan for Wales.”
Her comments set up a clear dividing line with Reform as the battle on the right intensifies, while also putting Welsh industry and energy resilience at the centre of the Conservative pitch in Wales.
With concern growing over the future of heavy industry, energy costs and strategic infrastructure, Badenoch’s message in Pembrokeshire was that refineries such as Valero are too important to be taken for granted.
Also at Valero were the Welsh Conservatives’ number one and number two candidates for Ceredigion Penfro, Paul Davies and Samuel Kurtz, who both told The Herald they were determined to stand up for businesses and industry in Wales. They said protecting major employers, backing skilled jobs and supporting firms facing growing pressure had to remain a priority, warning that the Welsh economy could not afford to lose more industrial strength.
