Business secretary takes dig at Farage's coal mines plan

The business secretary has mocked Nigel Farage for wanting to reopen the coal mines in Wales, dubbing him an absolute parody”.

- MILLIE COOKE

Jonathan Reynolds, whose grandfather was a coal miner, admitted that Reform UK are Labour's biggest opponents - but said Mr Farage fails to understand “the pride in where we’re from and what we represent, but also the aspiration for the future”.

Speaking at a media lunch in parliament, Mr Reynolds also defended the UK’s plan for closer trade ties with the US, saying: “We might have different views but we have to engage with them”. His comments come after Mr Farage announced his party wants to restart Port Talbot’s blast furnaces and “reindustrialise Wales”.

On a visit to south Wales, the leader of Reform UK said the resumption of traditional steelmaking and coal production is the party’s long-term ambition if it comes to power. The speech came one year ahead of the Senedd elections, where the party is looking to end Labour’s 26 years of domination.