Welsh farmer branded 'traitor' and receives death threats from nationalists after meeting Rishi Sunak

Welsh farmer branded 'traitor' and receives death threats from nationalists after meeting Rishi Sunak

WATCH NOW: Gareth Wyn Jones explains frustrations felt by farmers

GB NEWS
Jack Walters

By Jack Walters


Published: 28/02/2024

- 11:28

Gareth Wyn Jones will join other farmers in Cardiff Bay today to protest

A farmer has been branded a "traitor" and received death threats from Welsh nationalists for meeting with Rishi Sunak.

Gareth Wyn Jones, 56, installed a security system at his home in Llanfairfechan, North Wales.


Police warned Wyn Jones about a recent death threat made against his family for his outspoken views.

Despite being a proud Welsh speaker and former Plaid Cymru candidate, Wyn Jones received a barrage of criticism after meeting with the Prime Minister outside the Welsh Conservative Conference in Llandudno on Friday.

Gareth Wyn Jones, 56, installed a security system at his home in Llanfairfechan after meeting the Prime Minister

Gareth Wyn Jones, 56, installed a security system at his home in Llanfairfechan after meeting the Prime Minister

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He told The Times: "They call me a traitor and s***bag in Welsh.

"That is what they think of me but I would meet with any politician and with anyone I believe could give a little help with anything we are doing with our campaign."

Wyn Jones, who appeared to suggest Plaid Cymru "sold out" Welsh farmers, became a target for nationalists as members of the rural economy prepare to march on the Senedd to protest against Welsh Government plans today.

The plan ensures farmers must ensure 10 per cent of their land is planted with trees and 10 per cent is treated as wildlife habitat if they hope to receive new sustainable farming scheme subsidies.

A third and final consultation on the scheme ends on March 7 but an economic impact assessment warned it could cost 5,500 rural jobs and £199million to farm business income.

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Welsh farmers have been protesting against the Welsh Government's plans

Welsh farmers have been protesting against the Welsh Government's plans

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Businesses in the rural supply chain would also face a shortfall of 122,000 fewer livestock units in the Welsh rural economy.

Wyn Jones argued outgoing First Minister Mark Drakeford lost support from farmers as his reforms look to punish them for voting to leave the European Union.

There has been no detailed polling on how farmers in Wales voted in the 2016 referendum.

A survey conducted by Farmers Weekly suggested a majority of farmers in the UK supported Brexit but those in Wales were less likely to vote leave as less than half backed the move.

Despite inconclusive polling, Wales voted to leave the EU by 52.5 per cent to 47.5 per cent.

First Minister of Wales and Leader of Welsh Labour Mark DrakefordFirst Minister of Wales and Leader of Welsh Labour Mark DrakefordGETTY

Rural authorities including Anglesey, Carmarthenshire, Conwy, Denbighshire, Powys and Pembrokeshire all backed Brexit.

However, Ceredigion, Gwynedd and Monmouthshire all voted to stay in the Brussels bloc.

Drakeford told the Sennedd: "I think it's important that I remind the leader of the opposition why we are in the position that we are in.

"It's because farmers in Wales took his advice and voted to leave the European Union."

He added: "Believe me, we are in the position that we are in today because we have taken back control of farming support in Wales, as we were obliged to do."

Wyn Jones received a barrage of criticism after meeting with the Prime Minister outside the Welsh Conservative Conference in Llandudno on Friday

Wyn Jones received a barrage of criticism after meeting with the Prime Minister outside the Welsh Conservative Conference in Llandudno on Friday

GB NEWS

"If farmers in Wales were still able to have access to the funds that were available through the European Union, they would be in a very different position than they are, having heard and followed his advice."

Wyn Jones said that the "sooner [Drakeford] goes, the better for Wales".

He added: "His actions and words just proves to the majority of farmers that they don’t want to listen and that is why you will see thousands of farmers in Cardiff on Wednesday.

"We just hope we get a new first minister who has time to listen and talk."

Defending the announcement, a Welsh Government spokesman said: "We have run an extensive co-design exercise in developing the SFS and we thank the hundreds of farmers who have been involved.

"No final decision will be taken on the scheme until after the consultation has taken place and we will listen carefully to all views."

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