Reform UK’s coal mining plans branded ‘fantasy politics’
Proposals to revive coal mining in Wales have sparked a political row, with the Welsh Liberal Democrats accusing Reform UK of promoting “fantasy” policies that would threaten jobs, energy bills and the environment.
The criticism follows comments by Reform candidate Ben Hodge-McKenna, who suggested Wales could reopen coal extraction using modern, “safer” technologies to help meet future energy needs.
The idea echoes previous remarks by Reform leader Nigel Farage, who has said coal mining could return to Wales, including comments about sending young people back into the industry.
The Welsh Liberal Democrats said the proposals showed the party was “stuck in the past” and offering false hope to communities that need long-term economic investment.
The party also pointed to Reform’s previous support for fracking, arguing it demonstrated a pattern of backing “outdated and unpopular fossil fuel policies”.
They warned that fracking carries risks including earthquakes and water contamination, and has faced strong opposition across Wales.
Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Jane Dodds said the proposals would fail to deliver meaningful economic benefits.
“Reform’s plan to reopen coal mines is pure fantasy politics,” she said.
“It won’t cut bills, it won’t deliver lasting jobs, and it won’t stand up to even the most basic economic scrutiny.
“The fact they also want to open Wales up to fracking tells you everything you need to know.”
‘Soundbites’
She added that communities with a coal mining heritage deserved “serious economic strategies” rather than what she described as “headline-chasing soundbites”.
The intervention comes as energy policy and economic regeneration become key battlegrounds ahead of the Senedd election.
Speaking to BBC Radio Wales, Mr Hodge-McKenna said Wales should consider making use of what he described as some of the “highest quality coal” in the world.
“I don’t think anybody’s talking about going back to the 70s or 80s and reopening mines in the conditions that they were previously,” he said.
“But if there are commercial opportunities to enjoy the natural resources that we have then we shouldn’t be automatically closed off to any options.”
He also argued that Wales’ contribution to global emissions was “minuscule”, suggesting climate concerns should not prevent economic development.
Economic realities
However, critics say such arguments ignore both environmental responsibilities and economic realities.
The Welsh Liberal Democrats warned that focusing on coal or fracking could divert investment away from sectors where Wales has stronger long-term potential, including offshore wind in the Celtic Sea, tidal energy and green manufacturing.
They also rejected claims that Wales’ emissions are too small to matter, arguing that leadership on clean energy is essential both economically and environmentally.
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19th century ‘solutions’ to 21st century problems
Who in a 21st-century developed country actually wants to go back to working in a coal mine? And who would own these mines? Would they even be Welsh owned, or just another external company extracting wealth while Wales takes the burden? Its the same old story: Wales being offered the jobs no one else wants, dressed up as “economic opportunity.” In reality, its exploitation. And its no different than under Welsh Labour, except with them its call centres and low-value industries. What Wales actually needs is a government that puts Welsh economic interests first, building high-skill industries, investing in our… Read more »
Important to understand that the technology epicentre of coal, railways, iron and steel in the 19th and 20th centuries was indeed in Wales. We should be proud of such achievements. The problem was that in terms of financial prosperity the benefits were realised elsewhere. Extractive enterprise in more ways than one. That arrangement remains. Look at the Pen y Cymoedd wind farm and the profits banked in Sweden, look at most other renewable ownerships and their based in the Shard in London with ultimate holdings in offshore tax havens. The problem of ownership and native prosperity remain.
Between the mid – 18th Century and the closing of the mines at the end of the 20th Century almost 5,300 individuals (mostly men and some boys) were killed in Welsh coal mines. By supporting the reopening of some of these (now flooded) mines, Reform UK is clearly happy to put the lives of even more Welsh miners in grave danger. This may be acceptable to Reform members but it is surely not acceptable to any decent, civilised person in the 21st Century.
Why not go even further and bring back Ivor the Engine to transport the Coal.
Ivor the engine is indeed used to transport tourists from Porthmadog to Blaenau Ffestiniog. It burns coal.
They’ll be wanting to send children back up chimneys next!!
What? A Liberal Democrat talking about something other than Brexit? Now that’s a surprise!
Nothing wrong with new coal mines if it’s similar to the Aberpregwm that is still operating. Owned by local people, employs 160 workers and uses the latest technology. It produces high grade anthracite that is mainly used in carbon filters and domestic water filtration beds, but some is sold to be burnt in specialist consumers. I see no call to stop the steam train that goes up Yr Wyddfa and of course ground anthracite is an essential ingredient for electric arc furnaces to make high carbon steel. Better than importing from Russia or India.
Some muppets marked you down for writing some basic sense! No doubt they enjoy that ride on a little old steam train as long as the coal doesn’t come from this country. So brain washed they can’t see the intrinsic value and diverse uses of the anthracite product.
Why is he saying this, farage is doing what he is told by his owners. Like the people that fund him on flights to the US such as Harbourne who lives not in the UK, where are Harbourne’s interests?
Over a year now since we stopped burning the stuff? Where will it go, not to the UK benefit, it will be the US grifters Nige put in charge on the open market.
https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/dark-money-investigations/reform-uk-funders-nigel-farage-5-million-donations-fossil-fuels-tax-havens/
Broadly speaking, you will never get white Brits to go back to mining coal and the regressive Farij freakshow will know this so whilst his well oiled lie machine cranks on, i would like to bowl him an awkward googly by asking him how many millions of immigrants does he plan to ship in to do this work? It’s hypothetical of course because it’s all a barnstormingly MASSIVE LIE like everything else out of his foul mouth. I know that (worth less than) 30p Lee would leave them down the shaft for 24 hours. Work 6 til 6, sleep 6… Read more »
You have to laugh this Reform character with the double barelled moniker is not someone form the coalface
He hails ls from middle Engalnd who did an Esports degree at Staffordshire university
Thatcher worshippers must also ask themselves if they really want to admit she was wrong and reverse her decision to make her turn in her grave or explain that she was willing to starve and beat up hundreds of miners just to get at Arthur Scargill. Mortal destruction of human beings was her priority just like RefUK. Anyway, what is the point of coal mining, fracking or anything if it is for the sole purpose our nations’ exploitation and impoverishment for the benefit of the British Empire? Annibyniaeth! nawr!