It was great to address UK Labour Conference for the second time as Secretary of State for Wales in Liverpool. In my last speech to conference, I promised to deliver for Wales. Now, in my second year in the role, I updated members on the progress we have made and the risks at the next Senedd Elections in May 2026.
Watch my speech in full below.
Transcript
*** Check Against Delivery***
Good afternoon Conference,
One year ago, I stood on this stage and addressed you as Labour’s first female Secretary of State for Wales in the first Labour Government for 14 years.
I spoke about my mission to put Wales at the centre of our decade of national renewal.
Wales at the heart of our Modern Industrial Strategy.
Wales at the forefront of our green industrial revolution.
Wales leading the way on innovation and technologies of the future.
Since then, I have spent the last year working in partnership with our brilliant first Minister, Eluned Morgan, and our Labour colleagues in Welsh Government to grow the economy, improve business confidence, increase investment and create tens of thousands of new jobs right across Wales.
We have done this because Labour is the only party who are on the side of working people. By strengthening our economy, we can we create new jobs, improve living standards, put more money in the pockets of every family and put Wales, and the rest of the UK, on a path of renewal.
None of what we have achieved together would have been possible without our brilliant colleagues. I want to pay tribute to Nia Griffith for her time in Government. Nia’s experience and wisdom have been invaluable to me.
I also want to welcome Anna McMorrin and Claire Hughes to the Wales Office. Alongside our hard-working PPS, Becky Gittins, and Lords spokesperson, Ruth Anderson this is an exceptional team of Labour women delivering for Wales.
I want to thank our 27 Welsh Labour MPs, whose tireless campaigning drives us on each and every day to go further, to be better and do more for Wales.
And as always, I want to recognise the grit and leadership provided by our First Minsiter, Eluned Morgan.
And together, the Welsh and UK Labour Governments have already put us on that path.
Welsh Labour fought hard against years of Tory austerity and now Labour in Westminster have ended austerity with record budget settlements that have given the Welsh Government billions more to invest in public services.
We know that times are tough for so many families, and that people need a little help to get by, to get on in life and to get the opportunities that we all deserve.
That is why we gave 160,000 Welsh people on the living and minimum wage a pay rise this year – to give people that crucial helping hand.
That is why the Welsh and UK Labour Governments are working together on employment trailblazer schemes in Denbighshire, Neath Port Talbot and Blaenau Gwent – to help people back into work and break the cycle of poverty.
That is why we have invested half a billion pounds to secure the future of steelmaking in South Wales – to help steelmakers through the transition and support local businesses to find new opportunities and grow.
That is why we have established new Freeports and Investment Zones in every corner of Wales, creating tens of thousands of new jobs in advanced manufacturing, floating offshore wind and elsewhere – Creating new jobs near to where you live, in sustainable industries for now and for generations to come.
That is why we have invested nearly half a billion pounds into Welsh rail – to create stations, more and faster trains that will connect the people of Wales to these new opportunities.
And we can already see the impact our hard work is having.
Unemployment is down.
Interest rates have been cut five times.
Inward investment into Wales has risen 30% in the last year alone.
And real wages are consistently rising faster than inflation.
But conference, I have to warn you. This investment, this tireless focus on living standards, job creation, and public services is under threat.
Reform have come to Wales with patronising politics, and nothing but disrespect and division for our communities.
They do not care about Wales. They have no Welsh policies and no Welsh leader. They cannot even spell Caerphilly right.
But as much as we can laugh at their gaffs and roll our eyes at their condescending tone, they are a serious threat.
A threat to our communities, a threat to our NHS and if you work in public services, they are a threat to your job.
Meanwhile, Plaid Cymru play at progressive politics, but they are not a serious party, and they cannot be trusted with the levers of government.
Plaid exists only to rip our nation apart, and at a time of global instability to rip us out of NATO.
Their constitutional fantasies are backed by fantasy economics. They cannot open their mouths without another unfunded spending commitment.
And has anyone asked Plaid what their disastrous plan for independence would cost?
Well Conference, I can tell you. New UK Government analysis has found that Plaid’s plan for independence would cost Wales over £21bn each year just to maintain the same level of services we have today.
That is more than £11,000 for every working age adult in tax rises and austerity cuts every year.
If Plaid want to be taken seriously, they need to answer – will they tax Welsh families into poverty? Or will they cut services to the bone?
We have just ended austerity in Wales. Do not let Reform or Plaid impose it on us again.
Next May, Wales faces a choice between renewal or decline, decency or division.
Together as Labour governments we are setting out the path of renewal towards a fairer, more prosperous Wales that is proud of its history and in control of its future.
The world is uncertain. Global instability is having an impact not just on our safety, but on the cost of your energy and the cost of the weekly shop.
That is why the Labour government has taken action to prioritise your security, your living costs and your livelihoods.
Our Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, has restored the UK’s reputation on the world stage. He has delivered trade deals that will lower food costs and reduce burdens on business.
He has invested in our national security.
Keir has set an example.
That unlike Reform or Plaid, Labour will never play politics with your livelihood.
And nothing demonstrates the choice Wales faces more clearly than the steps we have taken in just the last three weeks.
While Reform are absent from Parliament, apologising for Putin and undermining the UK to our global partners, I was in Caerphilly launching Wales’ Defence Growth Deal to strengthen our armed forces and create new, high-skilled jobs in Wales’ defence sector.
While Plaid champion their fantasy plan for independence, just this week the UK Labour Government has launched its Pride in Place Programme, which will invest over £200m to revitalise high streets and regenerate communities across Wales – from Conwy to Caerphilly.
That is the choice ahead of us at the Senedd election in May. Labour on the side of working people or nationalist parties looking to divide and deprive.
Only our two Labour Governments working together will keep Nigel Farage out of Wales and put Wales on the path of renewal.
Conference, that is the election we must now go and win. Let us win it together.
ENDS