Chancellor Rachel Reeves has used a speech at the Wales Investment Summit to caution against isolationist politics, urging attendees to reject what she termed “national retreat”. The summit, held in Wales, drew over 300 senior business leaders from 31 countries, marking the largest such event in the region since the 2014 Nato summit.
In her address, Reeves called for a rejection of isolationism in all its forms. “Whether it seeks to cut off Wales from the rest of Britain, or to cut Britain off from the rest of the world,” she said, emphasising the need for national renewal and investment. The Chancellor also highlighted the government’s commitment to backing business and improving the lives of working people.
Her remarks come amid recent political shifts in Wales, including Labour’s loss of a stronghold in the Caerphilly by-election to Plaid Cymru, a pro-independence party, and a drop to third place behind Reform UK. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer expressed disappointment over the result, acknowledging the need for improvement.
Reeves also reflected on Wales’ industrial heritage, noting the importance of preserving coal tips while ensuring that former industrial towns play a central role in the next industrial revolution. She stressed that heritage should remain a source of pride, not a distraction from future progress.
