Wales can be better.

Full statement

Small EFTA countries like Iceland, Switzerland, Norway, even tiny Lichtenstein, are some of the world’s most prosperous. Inside the EU, Luxembourg, Ireland and Slovenia outperform Wales for income. Slovakia and the Baltics match Wales but are faster growing. Given the substantial intellectual and industrial capital Wales still has, this is dismal performance. Wales has had socialist rule for 100 years. Red-Green parties promise more socialism. Statist Reform even plans to return to the industrial policies of Tony Benn.

Wales is a net exporter of goods. Our services exports such as education, tourism and software are more like goods than financial services. They are just as suppressed by exchange and interest rates designed for London to invest overseas. We will prosper when independent.

I joined Gwlad as Brexit made it clear that the UK economy was going to be managed for the benefit of the City of London.

I went to school in Builth Wells and Brecon. I served an engineering apprenticeship and gained degrees in Engineering Science and Management Science. After a few years in Power Engineering mostly for nuclear, I worked on new product development, mostly managing Research and Development in electronic materials. I sometimes found the chance to work in Industrial South Wales at Pontarddulais and Brynmawr but opportunity in Wales is scarce, not just in rural areas. For the last 30 years I have run my own consultancy on Innovation and Trade which I moved from Cambridge to Wales. A project to review 120 inventions from the Russian Academy of Sciences led to a focus on trade with Russia with clients from across the world. I can provide a much higher level of insight into industry, exportable services and trade than a typical Senedd candidate. I can help Wales to be rich with the resources to build a modern welfare state.

On many issues Gwlad agrees with one or more parties. Gwlad is different on the following measures relevant to the powers of the Senedd.

Reduce Tax - to increase the higher rate tax base and gain more revenue,
Cut down the Taffia - to make the Welsh Government directly accountable,
Urban renewal - retail is not enough,
Dependable energy - No onshore wind or subsidized solar,
Oathkeeping - Senedd members should swear to be honest.