Speaking ahead of the new Assembly term, the leader of the Welsh Conservatives and Opposition in the National Assembly, Nick Bourne AM, today hailed the next nine months as a critical period for the Welsh Conservative Party, representing an opportunity for the Party to further broaden its appeal.
The Welsh Conservative Party is widely seen as having undergone a massive transformation since the National Assembly was first established in 1999.
The Party has committed to making devolution work and its members are widely seen as some of the hardest working in Cardiff Bay. Mr Bourne believes that, as the only centre-right party in Welsh politics, the Welsh Conservatives are once again a force to be reckoned with.
Nick Bourne said, “I lead a party that is forward-looking, inclusive and takes pride in representing the diversity of Wales, evidenced by a number of high profile defections. In the past year Dr John Marek, former Labour MP and AM and Mohammad Asghar AM, from Plaid Cymru, joined the Welsh Conservative team. In recent months we have taken positive measures to select a greater number of talented women candidates in winnable positions, helping to broaden our Party’s representation.
“We are currently developing a positive platform of policies for next year’s elections, aiming to meet the aspirations of the people of Wales. It is a programme for government, which focuses on public service improvements, helping small businesses and making Welsh society greener.
“We have already announced proposals to improve significantly funding for hospices and stroke services, to reform business rate relief for small businesses across Wales and to improve access to insulation for homeowners who want to reduce their energy bills and play their part in tackling climate change.
“This year saw the Welsh Conservative Party increase its representation at Westminster significantly and we look forward to working closely with David Cameron and the coalition government to seek the best possible deal for Wales.
“Our enthusiastic candidates, my team in the Assembly, and I are all excited about the prospects for these forthcoming elections and the opportunity to make Wales greener, healthier and more prosperous.
“I plan to travel over the coming months to every constituency in Wales setting out our Party’s stall to deliver the change that Wales needs.”
