Reform MS challenges Lib Dems over wind farm policy

Reform MS Iain McIntosh has challenged the Liberal Democrats to clarify their position on new wind turbine developments in Wales, prompting a response from Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe MP David Chadwick.

Mr McIntosh has written to Mr Chadwick, the party’s Welsh spokesperson, questioning what he claims are conflicting messages between Liberal Democrat policy on renewable energy and its opposition to proposed developments in Welsh communities.

He pointed to the party’s 2024 UK general election manifesto, which pledged to remove restrictions on new wind and solar power, accelerate renewable energy deployment and build the grid infrastructure needed to support it. The manifesto also backed minimising environmental damage from energy infrastructure and ensuring communities receive a fair share of the wealth generated by renewable projects.

Mr McIntosh, who is MS for Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd, said: “People across Powys are facing the prospect of enormous wind turbines, new pylons and associated infrastructure fundamentally changing their landscapes and communities. They deserve to know exactly where the Liberal Democrats stand.

“The Liberal Democrats cannot promise nationally to remove restrictions on new wind power while asking voters in affected communities to believe that electing Liberal Democrat candidates will help stop these developments.

“Their Council Leader is simultaneously seeking a five per cent share of the profits from large-scale energy schemes. That looks less like a coherent policy and more like telling different audiences what they want to hear.”

Mr McIntosh said he had asked Mr Chadwick five questions, including whether the party supported increasing the number of onshore wind developments in Wales, removing restrictions on new projects and allowing candidates to campaign against individual schemes.

He also asked whether the party supported the proposed five per cent profit share for Powys County Council and whether it would publish guidance for Welsh Liberal Democrat candidates.

Mr McIntosh added: “If the Liberal Democrats support more wind developments, they should say so openly and explain what safeguards they would require. If they oppose them, they should change their policy and stop calling for restrictions to be removed.

“The people of Wales deserve a straight answer before they are asked to vote.”

Responding, Mr Chadwick said the Welsh Liberal Democrats had a long-standing record of opposing the proposed developments.

He said: “I find it extraordinary that Reform UK is attacking the Liberal Democrats over our opposition to these developments, when we have been leading the fight against them for years.”

Mr Chadwick said he had raised Bute Energy and Green Gen Cymru 10 times in the House of Commons chamber since being elected in 2024, as well as writing dozens of letters to ministers, regulators and developers.

He also accused Mr McIntosh and fellow Reform MS David Mills of failing to raise their concerns with Welsh Government ministers in the Senedd Chamber since being elected.

Mr Chadwick said decisions on the developments would be taken by the Welsh Government in Cardiff rather than politicians in Powys.

“I would encourage [Mr McIntosh] to direct his energies towards those making the decisions,” he said.

He added: “The Welsh Liberal Democrats' opposition to these enormous, environmentally destructive proposals is well established. We support renewable energy and recognise the urgent threat of climate change, but that does not mean giving wealthy developers a blank cheque to industrialise some of the last untouched landscapes in Wales.

“My position, and that of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, could not be clearer. We will continue to stand alongside communities fighting these destructive proposals, and I will not be distracted from that fight by political attacks from those who have done precious little to challenge them themselves.”