Nigel Farage has urged the reopening of domestic coalmines to supply fuel for new blast furnaces. Speaking in Port Talbot, a south Wales town known for its steel industry, the Reform UK leader said Welsh workers would return to mining if wages were high enough.
Farage argued that securing a steady supply of steel and UK-produced coal is in the “national interest.” His stance echoes former U.S. President Donald Trump’s calls to bring heavy industry back home.
When asked if the plan was realistic, especially since a Reform-led Welsh government might face resistance from Westminster, Farage admitted it would likely require cooperation with the national government.
He said, “For the uses coal still has, we should produce our own coal.” He clarified that he did not want to reopen all coal mines but stressed that certain types of coal remain necessary for blast furnaces and should not be imported.
Farage highlighted the growing demand for steel in the UK, driven by increased military spending and housebuilding programs. “We are going to need a lot of steel,” he said, adding that the country should produce its own.
On the possibility of reopening blast furnaces like the Tata steel plant in Port Talbot, which closed last year, Farage acknowledged the challenge. He said it would require “a change of mindset” and suggested that building new facilities might be easier.
Asked if young Welsh people would want to work in coalmines, Farage said, “If you offer people well-paying jobs, you’d be surprised. Many will take them, even though mining is dangerous.”
Farage also conceded that a Welsh government alone could not achieve this. “It probably needs to work with the national government,” he said. He added that a “complete change of philosophy” is needed, including scrapping net zero climate targets.
A recent YouGov poll showed Plaid Cymru leading in Wales with 30%, followed by Reform UK at 25%, ahead of Labour and the Conservatives.
During his speech, Farage addressed the recent resignation of Reform UK’s party chair, Zia Yusuf, calling it a “speed bump.” Yusuf later said he would return to help find cost savings in councils led by Reform.
Farage denied claims that he often falls out with colleagues, saying some have worked with him for 25 years. He said he values long-term friendships but will cut ties with anyone who betrays his trust.
Related Topics:
- Chinese Company Denies Allegations of Irregularities in Coal Bidding Process
- Vulcan South Mine Introduces Australia’s First Coal Extraction Technology
- Satellite Data: Australia Likely Undercounted Coal Methane