Welsh Conservatives have today promoted a Charter for Rural Wales, a compilation of policies designed to support Wales’ agricultural industry, protect rural communities and enhance the natural environment of Wales.
Nick Bourne, Leader of the Welsh Conservatives in the National Assembly, was today joined by North Wales regional candidates as well as Arfon candidate and farmer Aled Davies and local Delyn candidate, Matt Wright to unveil the Party’s Charter for Rural Wales.
The Charter commits a Welsh Conservative Government to:
Protect key public services in partnership with rural local authorities
Give communities the opportunity to take over the running of community assets such as village halls, community centres, pubs and post offices, assisted by tailored business support
Develop a planning policy that gives communities a stake in economic and social development, including the release of more land for affordable housing
Protect public access to woodland, and prioritise new forestry planting in areas where it delivers maximum benefit, such as reducing flooding risk and enhancing biodiversity
Support the future of family farms through a range of measures including securing the future of direct payments, the elimination of wasteful red-tape, and ensuring the flawed Glastir agri-environment scheme is fit for purpose
Nick Bourne said, “Welsh Conservatives are committed to protecting and improving standards of living in our rural towns and villages.
“Years of Labour neglect, forced post office closures and a lack of support for small businesses have taken their toll on many areas of rural Wales.
“We would abolish business rates for small businesses to help them expand and create new jobs to protect our rural communities from decline.
“Welsh Conservatives are on the side of farmers and will cut red tape, protect CAP payments and ensure that the Glastir agri-environment is fit for purpose.
“We look forward to working closely with rural organisations across Wales to consult on how these proposals can be implemented in the best interests of rural Wales.”
Delyn candidate Matt Wright, said, “Rural communities in Delyn have suffered years of neglect under successive Labour Assembly Governments.
“Welsh Conservatives will support our rural towns and villages to make them even better places to live, work and raise a family.
“Rural communities are vital to the future of the Welsh economy and the Welsh Conservative Charter for Rural Wales shows how we can be a new voice for Wales.”
