A promise to 'develop a rural economy in Wales that is fit for the future'

At the Welsh Conservative conference in Llangollen, shadow minister for environment and rural affairs Andrew RT Davies accused the Labour Government of holding back the country via a "chaotic and slapdash approach".

Speaking at the conference this morning, Mr Davies said: "As shadow minister for environment and rural affairs, I’m responsible for delivering our plan to tackle what is quickly becoming people’s number one priority; climate change.

"Like I’m sure it has for many, this has really hit home in recent weeks with the devastating floods we’ve seen right across Wales, from Llanrwst in the north to Pontypridd in the South!

"Yet so far in Wales, the response to this challenge from the Labour Welsh Government has been mediocre at best, bipolar at worst.

"It’s time we raised the bar. Because what we’re seeing right now from Labour politicians in the Assembly is an unsavoury mess.

"We have a Labour Welsh Government that’s declared a climate emergency but delivered a real-terms cut in funding to Natural Resources Wales, its primary body for ensuring the environment and natural resources of Wales are sustainably maintained and enhanced."

Mr Davies added that the Government had cancelled an M4 relief road citing environmental factors, but then "continues to throw millions and millions of pounds of taxpayer’s money at a state-owned airport".

He said: "A Labour Welsh Government that talks the talk when it comes to animal welfare, but has failed to deliver financial support for animal welfare centres and is responsible for overseeing the puppy farming capital of the UK, which is a stain on our great nation of animal lovers.

"And where is that Lucy’s Law legislation you promised to protect animals Minister?!

"This chaotic and slapdash approach is holding back our country and is symptomatic of Labour’s tenure running Wales."

He added: "For my perspective, I passionately believe environmental principles are instinctively conservative principles, and as advocates of individual responsibility, they go to the very heart of what we believe in.

"We’re proud to champion this cause and over the coming months we’ll put forward a range of solutions to revitalise our environment and our rural communities.

"First and foremost, we’d overhaul the current department in the Welsh Government, bringing greater focus to the job.

"As environment and agriculture has sky-rocketed up the political agenda, this sadly hasn’t been reflected at the cabinet table or in the day-to-day running of government.

"One third of people in Wales live in a rural area after all, and our countryside communities face a series of unique challenges which Labour ministers have ignored for too long.

"We’d therefore ensure there is a minister directly responsible at the top table for powering economic prosperity into agriculture, forestry and our rural communities.

"This minister would also be responsible for ‘rural proofing’ all government policy moving forward to stop the needs of our rural communities falling through the cracks in Cardiff Bay.

"No rural area in Wales should be left behind and we want to ensure we close the prosperity and opportunity gap which currently exists, and ensure we develop a rural economy in Wales that is fit for the future, and where young people can stay and thrive."