Campaigners have called for closer UK-EU ties to boost the economy in Wales, highlighting the impact of Brexit on Welsh farmers, businesses and young people.
It comes after Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said his party wants to restart Port Talbot’s blast furnaces and “re-industrialise Wales” while on a visit to South Wales, a year ahead of the Senedd elections in May 2026, where the party is pitching itself as a rival to Welsh Labour.
The GMB Union has branded the plans “more lies from an opportunistic chancer”.
Responding to Nigel Farage's speech in Port Talbot, Naomi Smith, Chief Executive of Best for Britain, which campaigns for closer UK-EU trading ties, said:
“People in Wales know that leaving the EU, a project spearheaded by Nigel Farage, has been an utter disaster for Welsh farmers, business owners and young people - and that his politics of fear and division would take the country backwards not forwards.
“Independent economic research shows that if the UK and EU pursue common sense alignment on rules for trading goods and services, the Welsh economy could grow 0.36% per year - benefitting businesses, protecting jobs and supporting families with the cost of living.”