A COALITION of opposition lined up today to condemn Reform UK’s plans to reopen Tata Steel’s Port Talbot blast furnaces and coal mining in Wales.

Far-right leader Nigel Farage gave a speech in Port Talbot earlier this week and claimed that if his party won the Senedd election next year, they would resume coal mining and reopen Port Talbot’s steel blast furnaces.

Climate Cymru’s Bethan Sayed said: “Wales’ industrial heartlands deserve a secure future, not a managed decline. 

“By investing in green steel, retraining our workforce, and empowering communities, we can build a resilient, prosperous Wales where cleaner air, better jobs, and a thriving local economy work hand in hand to benefit all of our futures.”

GMB Wales regional secretary Ruth Brady called out the calls from the Reform leader as “more lies from an opportunistic chancer.

“He’ll trot out any line when the cameras are rolling. He doesn’t care about steel communities or steel workers,” Ms Brady said.

Welsh Labour said Mr Farage had brought his fantasy politics and magic money tree to Port Talbot.

“The people of Wales will see through the false hope and false promises of a public schoolboy from England who does not understand them and does not understand Wales,” a Welsh Labour spokesperson said.

Coal Action Network’s Anthony Collins said there was a use for old coal mines to heat networks and lower people’s fuel bills.

“This will help people in Wales to heat their homes, provide new jobs and feel pride in their community’s mining heritage without returning to the dangerous old jobs of yesteryear,” Mr Collins said.