Nigel Farage vows to REOPEN Port Talbot as Reform UK launches bid to unseat Labour 'betrayers'

Having already put his party's weight behind saving British Steel in Scunthorpe earlier this year, Farage again backed domestic industry in a drive to end Labour's 123 years of electoral success in Wales.

Before his address, a party source talked up how he "will tap into the hearts and minds of a deeply patriotic nation that feels betrayed and forgotten about by Labour".

Then in Port Talbot, Farage laid down the gauntlet to the "failing" Welsh Labour.

"Our aim is very simple. Our aim is to win. Our aim is to win a majority. And our aim as a party is to govern in Wales," he said.

"And I believe that it is achievable."

Farage also predicted that Plaid Cymru would only do well in its "heartlands", while the Tories are "dying" and "pretty close to an extinction event".

Labour "really are failing in Wales", he added.

"I believe we can win - and I believe, actually, if we get this right, we will win next May."

MORE AS REFORM UK STAKES CLAIM TO THE SENEDD:

• Nigel Farage makes major campaign announcement as Reform UK plots to topple Labour in Wales - 'I'm not playing games!'
• 'It'll take a generation to recover!' Ex-Minister admits Labour risks Welsh 'kicking' as Reform UK eats into support with polling surge
• Panic stations for Labour as Reform takes century-old stronghold in seismic blow — find out if YOUR seat could fall next

Port Talbot was the largest steelmaking plant in the UK until its two blast furnaces were controversially shut down in September 2024.

In their stead, the Government has backed plans for a £1.25billion electric arc furnace at the Indian firm Tata's steelworks, with a switch-on date set for 2027 as part of a push towards greener production.

Labour insists the Port Talbot and Scunthorpe steelworks are in different situations.

And while Farage acknowledged that the task of bringing industry back to Wales would neither be quick nor easy, he also pushed for a return to coal mining as part of Reform's "long-term ambition to reopen Port Talbot steel".

If his party surged to power in Cardiff Bay, it could defy the British Government to bring coal mining back to Wales, he told reporters after his speech.

Labour has pushed to ban new coal mines from opening in the UK, and Farage was told that even if Reform wins in 2026, the party would still not be able to open new mines.

But he vowed in response: "We can always have a fight, can't we? We can always have a fight - and who knows, there may be situations where we just do things.

"We will have to cross that bridge when we come to it."