MONDAY (Sept 30) marked a significant turning point for the British steel industry with the closure of the last operational blast furnace at Tata Steel’s Port Talbot facility. This concludes the era of traditional steelmaking in Wales and results in the loss of approximately 1,900 jobs at Port Talbot, with additional redundancies across other Tata Steel operations in the UK.

This move is part of a broader reconfiguration at Tata Steel that plans to replace traditional blast furnace operations with an electric arc furnace (EAF) by 2027, which will recycle scrap steel in a more environmentally sustainable manner. The final day of operations saw the cessation of Blast Furnace 4, a process accompanied by notable “whooshing” sounds and large steam plumes, as described by Dean Cartwright, the works manager for coke, sinter, and iron. Cartwright reassured residents that these were standard shutdown procedures and posed no cause for alarm.

Roy Rickhuss, General Secretary of Community Union, which represents many of the workers, articulated the profound impact of the closure: “Today marks an incredibly sad and poignant day for the British steel industry and for the communities in and around Port Talbot which are so intricately connected to blast furnace steelmaking. The end of Blast Furnace 4 is more than just a technological shift; it represents a deep cultural loss. However, this is not the end for Port Talbot. We are committed to fighting relentlessly for our steel industry and the vibrant community of workers in South Wales.”

Environmental reactions were mixed. Kathy Oakwood, chair of the local branch of Friends of the Earth in Neath Port Talbot, acknowledged the potential environmental benefits of shutting down the furnace, such as improved air quality. However, she criticized the approach as a missed opportunity for securing green jobs. “The political response has been lackluster in protecting jobs or fostering green alternatives locally. This transition touches on more than just environmental issues; it deeply affects people’s mental health and community standing,” Oakwood stated.

Secretary of State for Wales, Jo Stevens, responded to the closure with a message of support and resilience: “This is undoubtedly a challenging period for the workers, their families, and the entire community affected by Tata’s decision. My office moved swiftly to secure a more favorable deal that not only preserves the future of steelmaking in Port Talbot but also lays the groundwork for further investment and enhanced worker protections. We have already released millions in funding from the Transition Board to support affected businesses and workers, with more assistance on the way.”

Meanwhile, the Welsh Conservative leader, Andrew RT Davies, reflected on the broader implications for Welsh heritage and economy: “The closure of the last blast furnace is not just a loss for the community but a stark indicator that our industrial strategies may no longer be serving our communities effectively. We must reconsider our approaches and ensure equitable opportunities for our industrial bases.”

Unite’s general secretary, Sharon Graham, offered a stern critique of the transition management: “The job losses announced today are nothing short of industrial vandalism. These transitions, happening too late and with too scant funding, leave workers bearing the brunt of poor planning and previous government neglect. However, with Labour’s recent commitment to a £2.5 billion investment in the UK steel industry, including a significant upgrade at Port Talbot, there is a pathway to a sustainable future for steel here.”

In response, Unite has engaged in ongoing discussions with Tata Steel regarding future investments, aimed at establishing new processing lines and securing job creation over the next year.

Tata said that as the traditional blast furnaces cool for the last time, the focus now shifts toward

IN what was a spirited yet sombre farewell, Rishi Sunak, the outgoing leader of the Conservative Party, called for unity and an end to internal squabbles during his final address at the party’s conference in Birmingham.

The former Prime Minister urged the party to come together behind the new leader, who will be selected to succeed him. He emphasized the importance of forgetting past conflicts and forging new alliances.

“This is not a time for division or dwelling on past grievances. We must build new friendships and strengthen our party,” Sunak told a packed room at Birmingham’s Symphony Hall, which was atmospherically transformed from a classical music venue into a dynamic event space with neon Conservative logos and dimmed lights.

Breaking from convention, Sunak opted out of delivering the customary closing speech of the conference to avoid overshadowing the four candidates vying for his position. Each candidate is set to deliver a 20-minute pitch to the party faithful on Wednesday morning.

Sunak’s speech was reflective and apologetic as he expressed regret over the party’s recent electoral losses. “I am truly sorry that we did not achieve the results our dedicated members deserved,” he acknowledged. His remarks were met with supportive shouts from the audience, reinforcing his popularity among party members.

He defended the Conservatives’ 14-year tenure in government against Labour’s criticism, poking fun at Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer’s penchant for accepting freebies. “This conference is such a hot ticket, I’m surprised Keir hasn’t asked someone to buy it for him,” Sunak quipped, eliciting laughter from the audience.

Despite the jovial moments, the tone was serious as Sunak highlighted the critical need for unity, particularly with a potential Labour government on the horizon. “We must focus on what unites us, not what divides us. When we turn inwards, we lose, and the country risks a Labour government,” he stated emphatically.

Concluding his speech, Sunak expressed his hope for the future leadership of the party. “Our new leader will need your full support, especially when challenges arise. Let’s use this conference as a platform to look forward and ensure that one of our candidates is not just the next party leader but also our next prime minister.”

As the speech ended, attendees applauded, occasionally chanting “Rishi! Rishi!” Despite the offered free drinks, the atmosphere remained subdued, reflective of the party’s contemplative mood as it faces a significant transitional period.

The evening also saw potential successors, including Kemi Badenoch, Robert Jenrick, James Cleverly, and Tom Tugendhat, hosting their own events nearby, gearing up for the impending leadership contest.

IN a stark warning ahead of the Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham, Welsh Conservative Senedd leader Andrew RT Davies has declared that the party faces an “existential crisis” and must urgently reform or “die” following its catastrophic defeat in the recent general election.

Mr. Davies insisted that the party must issue an apology to both the Welsh and British public for failing to fulfil its immigration pledges. He stressed the innate conservative values of the Welsh electorate, suggesting that a return to these principles could secure future electoral victories.

Addressing party members and activists at the Birmingham’s International Convention Centre, he highlighted the alienation of Welsh voters caused by the party’s “dogmatic” economic policies. Mr. Davies argued for a shift towards practical economic solutions to address perceived inequalities and injustices.

On the topic of immigration, Mr. Davies advocated for a “zero tolerance” stance, calling for swift deportations of those in the UK illegally. This, he claimed, is necessary to address the challenges posed by globalisation and mass migration, which he believes have undermined Welsh communities and industries.

The leader also criticised the Labour Welsh government for its “extreme metropolitan worldview and soft nationalism,” which he blamed for prioritising policies like 20mph speed limits and the expansion of the Senedd over improving public services such as the NHS and education.

In a candid admission, Mr. Davies acknowledged the need for the Conservative Party to overhaul its image and approach, particularly concerning economic issues, urging a move away from ideological rigidity towards pragmatic realism.

“By proudly reflecting our conservative values, we will persuade [voters] to back the Welsh Conservatives,” he asserted. “But we must also change how we are perceived on the economy. We must be seen as pragmatists, not ideologues.”

Mr. Davies concluded with a dire forecast: “If our party changes, we’ll recover quickly, and we’ll succeed in 2026 and 2029. But if we don’t, we’ll die. That’s the choice.”

The conference continues as the party debates the direction and policies that Mr. Davies has put forward, with the shadow Welsh Secretary, Byron Davies, also emphasising the need for a robust policy platform beyond mere criticism of the Welsh Labour government.