Boris Johnson heads for Wales and bitter clash with first minister

Boris Johnson will continue his whirlwind UK tour with a visit to Wales on Tuesday, attempting to reassure farmers about a no-deal Brexit.

The prime minister will visit South Wales, meeting farmers and farm workers, before talks in Cardiff with Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford.

But Mr Johnson is heading for a bitter clash with Mr Drakeford, who says the PM has no mandate for a no-deal Brexit, which would be “catastrophic” for Wales.

During his visit, Mr Johnson will claim farmers and food producers will thrive in post-Brexit Britain because of new trade deals and leaving the EU’s common agricultural policy.

He insists the government will throw itself into negotiations to agree a new deal with the EU, but will prepare for no deal on 31 October if the EU continues to refuse to make any changes to the withdrawal agreement.

But he will have a tough task trying to reassure Welsh farmers about no deal. Earlier this month Minette Batters, president of the National Farmers Union, told Sky News’ Sophy Ridge on Sunday that a no-deal Brexit would be “catastrophic” for farmers.

More than 50,000 people are employed in the farming industry in Wales, while food and drink is the country’s biggest earner, contributing almost £1.7bn to the Welsh economy.

So far, in less than a week as prime minister – on what has been called a “honeymoon tour” making pledges “to revitalise forgotten communities” – Mr Johnson has:

• Visited Birmingham and promised 20,000 more police officers in three years
• Gone to Manchester and promised a new trans-Pennine railway to Leeds
• Visited Scotland and promised a £300m spending boost to bolster the union

Speaking ahead of his visit to Wales, Mr Johnson said: “I will always back Britain’s great farmers and as we leave the EU we need to make sure that Brexit works for them.

“That means scrapping the common agricultural policy and signing new trade deals – our amazing food and farming sector will be ready and waiting to continue selling ever more not just here but around the world.

“Once we leave the EU on 31 October, we will have a historic opportunity to introduce new schemes to support farming – and we will make sure that farmers gets a better deal.

“Brexit presents enormous opportunities for our country and it’s time we looked to the future with pride and optimism.”

During his visit to Wales, Mr Johnson will also visit Brecon and Radnorshire in advance of Thursday’s by-election, called after Tory MP Chris Davies was ousted in a recall petition having been found guilty of submitting false expenses claims.

Mr Davies was surprisingly readopted as the Conservative candidate and the Liberal Democrats are tipped to win the seat, benefiting from a “Remainer Alliance” in which Plaid Cymru and the Greens are not standing, and further reduce the Tory majority in the Commons.

Welsh Secretary Alun Cairns, one of few cabinet ministers to survive Mr Johnson’s ruthless cull of ministers, said he was “delighted” to welcome the new prime minister to Wales.

He added: “Together we will set out our bold ambition to agree a good deal for Welsh farmers as we leave the EU and generate new trade deals to boost our economy.

“We are committed to simplifying processes and setting our ambitions high in order to create opportunities for all communities in Wales.”

But Mr Drakeford said: “My main message to the prime minister remains the same: he has no public mandate for a no-deal Brexit, which would be catastrophic for Wales.

“If the UK does leave the EU, the UK government must work in close partnership with the Welsh government to mitigate negative effects on Wales and its economy.”

(c) Sky News 2019: Boris Johnson heads for Wales and bitter clash with first minister