Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:12 pm on 8 February 2023.
I thank the Member for her intervention, and it's in a similar vein to the Member in front of me for Ogmore's interventions—'Why do we need these? These things can be done anyway.' But I think that's missing the point in terms of what this does. It's a catalyst. Yes, it's potentially possible that these industries can thrive and survive without a free-port bid and without the benefits that a free port brings. But what it does is it catalysts it at one precise moment, so that these opportunities aren't lost. We are able to see local businesses and industries at the forefront of technology and industries, and I think that's what's really important is that if we don't take these opportunities, it's quite likely that companies outside of Wales, outside of the United Kingdom, can be at the forefront exploiting the opportunities that are afforded to local companies and local businesses. And that's why I think there isn't going to be that dispersal of jobs in Wales through a free-port bid, especially the Celtic free-port bid. I think that's really apparent and needs to be really clear, because there is real opportunity.
But the Celtic free port isn't just about bringing economic investment. It's critical to the component in securing the UK's energy security, with the added benefit of decarbonising existing industries, keeping employment whilst granting us the ability to meet our net-zero ambitions. I too take optimism from the fact that the UK and Welsh Governments have worked together on this, making sure that the free-port policy in Wales is right for Wales. And as Paul Davies, my constituency neighbour in Preseli Pembrokeshire, has rightly highlighted in his opening remarks, Wales's potential is second to none. And while I may disagree with him on Preseli Pembrokeshire being the energy capital, with RWE power station and Valero oil refinery in my constituency, that's an argument he and I can have on another day.
But it's really important that we can see the ability that's here, so while I take that optimism—and I see the Minister in front of me smiling—from this collaboration, I look up the M4 and urge all key decision makers to ensure that Wales's potential can be unleashed through two successful free-port bids. This can ensure that the opportunities unlocked via free-port status can be applied right across Wales from one corner to the other. We can work cross-party on this, with the UK Government and Welsh Government working hand in hand, supercharging Wales's green economy, ensuring that Wales can become the beating heart of the United Kingdom's energy security, with all corners of Wales playing their part. It's with that that I urge Members to support not only our motion here today, but also the Celtic free-port bid. Diolch yn fawr.