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At the Welsh Conservative conference held at Venue Cymru in Llandudno, Kemi Badenoch, who has been leader of the Conservatives since 2024, addressed party members with a message of optimism despite current challenges. She acknowledged the difficulties the party faces in Wales but emphasized that the Conservatives have a clear strategy to “fix Wales.” Badenoch praised the commitment of members and officials, recognising the tough political landscape for Conservatives in the country.
Darren Millar, the Welsh Conservative Senedd group leader, reinforced this optimistic tone in his speech, acknowledging that although the party might suffer some setbacks, including election losses and defections, it will never be defeated. Millar described Wales as “broken” due to 27 years of Labour governance, warning that both Welsh Labour and their Westminster counterparts have failed citizens, citing examples such as the closure of rural services and increases in taxation affecting businesses and individuals. He outlined a series of policies, including plans to reduce income tax by one penny and to address NHS waiting times by declaring a health emergency.
Badenoch was critical of opposing parties, sharply criticizing Labour’s Welsh leadership for avoiding accountability in the wake of the Lord Mandelson scandal and misattributing responsibility for cancelled infrastructure projects, such as the M4 relief road. She also labeled Plaid Cymru as “economically illiterate,” arguing that Welsh independence would undermine essential welfare and pension systems. Furthermore, Badenoch accused Reform of prioritizing power over genuine commitment to the UK, describing its members as “grifters” focused on personal gain rather than the union’s wellbeing.
On policy and prospects, Badenoch focused on economic revitalization, advocating for cheaper energy, deregulation, and increased construction to stimulate British industry. When questioned about the party’s chances in the upcoming Senedd elections, she remained cautiously hopeful, emphasizing the benefits of Wales’s new voting system where “every vote counts.” Although Millar had described Wales as “broken,” Badenoch preferred a more measured view, calling it a matter of semantics but admitting there are clear problems needing solutions. She also left decisions about potential coalitions after the election to local party members, underlining that any agreements must be made with Wales’s interests foremost in mind
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