A call from the Welsh Conservatives for greater support of Wales’ defence industry has been backed by Labour and Reform UK Senedd members.
Darren Millar, the Tory leader in Wales, said the Welsh Government’s decision to pause investment until its new “ethical framework” was published, was causing “uncertainty” in the sector.
He said: “How long are companies going to have to wait before they get a signal from you that Wales is still open for business?
“How many projects have been affected by that pause so far? How many millions have been set to one side as a result of this pause?”
He added: “Investors need certainty. Workers need certainty. But you’re creating uncertainty, and that’s bad for business.”
Reform’s Jason O’Connell branded the ethical framework as “more unnecessary red tape”, and accused Plaid Cymru of putting ideology ahead of jobs.
Labour leader Ken Skates told members Wales would be “so much poorer, not just so much weaker” without defence businesses.
However Mr Skates described defence as “a means of protecting against aggression, against attack, against harm, and, crucially, against invasion”.
He added: “We must never, never use our defence capabilities for aggressive intent, nor should we allow those who use what our defence sector produces and provides, whether it be intelligence, weapons, vehicles or kit.”
“Never complicit”
Plaid Cymru MS Sarah Rees told members the ethical framework is about ensuring Wales is “never complicit” in human rights abuses.
Ms Rees questioned the type of jobs members want to see in Wales, acknowledging the “consequences” local communities face from being home to military and industrial sites.
She said: “Hosting facilities in Welsh communities inevitably ties the safety and everyday lives of civilian towns to international conflict. This is a reality that we can’t ignore.
“Is it fair that some of our poorest communities are expected to shoulder those risks while being denied the investment they need to thrive?
“Is it fair that working-class people are presented with a choice between employment in the defence industry or economic insecurity? Is that really a choice at all?”
“Values”
Responding to the debate, enterprise minister Adam Price said the development of the ethical defence framework is because the Welsh Government does not see “economic ambition” and “ethical values” as contrary to one another.
Having one would put Wales on an equal footing with the rest of the UK, he argued.
He said: “Scotland has an ethical framework for the defence sector. The Northern Ireland Government has an ethical framework for the sector. The UK Government, as we heard from a Reform Member, has a framework.”
Mr Price continued: “We can ensure that Welsh companies benefit from the opportunities that exist, but on a firm foundation that is consistent with the values that are so important to our democracy here in Wales.”
Gaining cross-party support, from Labour and Reform, the Conservative motion was agreed by 45 votes to 43 on Wednesday September 30.