Plaid slams Tory Hypocricy on electrification plans
Plaid representatives in Swansea have attacked what they call ‘blatant Tory hypocrisy’ following an attempt by Nick Bourne to claim his party is in favour of upgrading the main South Wales rail line.
Plaid AM Dr. Dai Lloyd and Swansea Councillor Darren Price point to a blog entry in which Mr Bourne claimed his party would invest to “enhance the existing rail services” in Wales - yet he failed to point out that his own Tory bosses in London have failed to give a guarantee that the electrification of the South Wales line between Swansea and London will continue as planned if they win the next general election.
The Conservatives’ Shadow Transport Secretary Theresa Villiers, speaking at the party’s annual conference in Manchester last autumn, said that ‘We are keen to level with people and be very straight with them that electrification can bring benefits but it is not possible to give a cast-iron commitment because of the state of the public finances’.
Swansea-based Dr. Lloyd said:
“How can people believe a word the Tories say when they so blatantly say one thing but intend to do another?
“Yet again Nick Bourne has shown that he will say what he thinks people want to hear, but the reality of what his party would do in power is completely different.
“Plaid leader Ieuan Wyn Jones has fought hard to get assurances that the electrification plan will go to Swansea after initial plans only included Bristol to London. But the Tories are not prepared to guarantee that this important boost for the Welsh economy will take place.
“This kind of hypocrisy by the Conservative party must be exposed. The people of Wales have a clear choice - between London parties that will never priorities Wales’ communities, economy and people, and Plaid Cymru - the only party that will always stand up for our interests and needs.”
Dr. Lloyd added:
“The Tory bosses in London have failed categorically to commit to this project and no amount of words by Nick Bourne can hide that fact. This Tory snub is simply a kick in the teeth for Swansea and South West Wales.
“Their position shows the Tories for what they are – a party more interested in serving the South of England than the people of Wales. The UK Government has clearly been convinced of its affordability, with plans already being developed to start the work. The scheme should not be scrapped at this late stage to simply fund the Tories’ planned tax breaks for the rich.”
