Conservative leadership hopeful Kemi Badenoch calls Senedd expansion 'abhorrent' and 'sheer arrogance'

Conservative party hopeful Kemi Badenoch says it is 'abhorrent' to look at Senedd expansion

One of the two remaining politicians in the Conservative leadership race Kemi Badenoch promises to work hand-in-hand with the Tory Senedd group in her pitch to party members in Wales. In this opinion piece, she also attacks Senedd expansion and criticises Welsh Labour for its management of "this area of our country".

Three months have now passed since the people across the United Kingdom handed us their verdict: “Enough is enough.” Not only did we suffer an almighty defeat, but every single Welsh Conservative Member of Parliament lost their seat, many of whom were fantastic local champions.

The losses that our party sustained in Wales should never have happened, especially with the complete shambles of the Labour Welsh Government.

Let’s not forget this year marked a quarter of a century since Labour began mismanaging this area of our country. I make no apology for using the word mismanage either.

READ MORE: ‘Devoted’ father-of-four found dead at bottom of cliff during holiday in Spain

READ MORE: Person suffers 'life-changing' injury as violence erupts after football match

After all, waiting lists in Wales are the worst in Britain, numeracy and literacy skills in schools lag at the bottom of the heap, and ridiculously high business rates continue to cripple the Welsh economy.

And when I thought Labour could not get any worse I was horrified to learn that more than £100 million of taxpayers’ hard-earned cash is to be wasted on creating more politicians, at the same time as health boards being forced to make deep financial cuts.

The decision to prioritise fattening up the government at the expense of vital public services is abhorrent and reveals the sheer arrogance of a socialist party. It is no wonder that Labour’s share of the vote actually fell by 4% in Wales at the general election.

But these stark realities were not enough for our fantastic Welsh Conservative MPs to retain their seats, and that was because nationally there was too much fighting, too much drama and a loss of purpose.

That is why the time has come for renewal. My 2030 Renewal plan will rebuild the party piece-by-piece - and Wales will be at the centre. The people of Wales will not vote for us if we don’t know who we are or what we want to be moving forward. That is why I am seeking the leadership of the Conservative Party to renew our movement and ensure it works for the whole of the United Kingdom again. For the latest politics news in Wales sign up to our newsletter here.

We must start by speaking the truth. Yes, that means firmly telling Labour to stop wasting precious time in demanding more devolution and instead start delivering real changes for the people of Wales with its existing powers.

We must never be afraid of acting, if it’s in our country’s best interest to do so. This has never been more true than in 2023 when TATA Steel were considering pulling the plug on its steel operations in Port Talbot.

I was never prepared to let that happen. We worked quickly and decisively to save as many jobs as possible and help to secure a future for steelmaking in South Wales. The agreement that we reached - involving a £500 million support package - will modernise production, develop an electric arc furnace and protect thousands of skilled jobs. The deal will help us to become more self-sufficient in the long term.

We must also rebuild our party with its Welsh Councillors, Senedd Members and supporters at its beating heart. One of our first major tests will be the Senedd election in under two years’ time.

At that election Wales will be at a crossroads and will need to decide: either suffer more of the same with Labour or embrace a new, dynamic future under the Welsh Conservatives. I want to work hand-in-hand with the Senedd group to ensure we are both ready to take our fight to Labour and convince those who deserted us for Reform to return.

Together we can show that the Welsh Conservatives are the only true alternative to Labour.

Kemi Badenoch is running to be the Leader of the Conservative and Unionist Party