“It’s Brexit” First Minister For Wales Exposes the TRUTH About Why Port Talbot Steelworks Closed 

Chickens coming home to roost me thinks.

An essential aspect of the EU is to promote and ease business between members. MEMBERS. We are not members.

Tata Steel in the UK closed because as of January the European footprint neutral law came into effect, meaning that Tata UK was no longer allowed to sell steel in the European Union because Tata UK still worked with old steel ovens . The Tata steel factory in the Netherlands has been prepared for this with the help of the Dutch government and UK production has been transferred to Tata Netherlands. The government in the UK could have done the same.

This is the finishing off of South Wales that Thatcher dreamt of. I left school to Thatcher's recession and the asset stripping of the Valleys, we collected food in junior school for the striking miners. The Tories have destroyed Wales, one town at a time. I'm 54 now, the country once again on its knees at the hands of the Tories, and this is utterly heartbreaking.

The irony is Wales voted for Brexit.

Anybody notice the long line of other countries signing up to leave the EU, like the Tories promised?

This UK is truly screwed

“Stupidity has a price and it always gets paid.”

Not a single job would be lost because of Brexit” Lord Digby Jones. 😂😂

As a Welshmen living in Germany for the last 20 years, my eyes have been opened to the incompetence of British governments since and including the Thatcher government, incapable of finding solutions to the problems in industry. In mainland Europe these problems were and are the same but alone in Germany, there are still many major industries providing good quality jobs all over Germany. These are often world leading manufacturers who are also providing good quality jobs for their suppliers as well, compared to Britain's complete destruction of industry and jobs for the people. Maybe it would have made more sense to stay in Europe to work together to find out how other European countries manage to solve these issues, like with the provision of energy cost subsidies. Instead, Britain including Wales had decided to isolate itself from Europe!! I was surprised and disappointed when I saw how many Welsh people voted for Brexit as I was in Wales before the EU existed, when Wales received almost no support from the English dominated government. It's going to be the same now after Brexit. Politicians are only good for painting pictures, you need real experts in place to solve these types of problems. Next time a politician comes to your door, ask them not only WHAT they want to do for you but also HOW.

There is a great quote from James O'Brien from LBC: "UK is the only country in the world that imposed economic sanctions into themselves". That sums it up.

The company itself has said it is partly due to Brexit. It can't be made any clearer than that.

Tata is in The Netherlands, producing steel. All steel production is being updated in Europe, not in the UK, Tata cannot sell steel to the EU from the UK, so they move. Apply previous situation to all international companies closing shop in the UK or sacking people.

Tory Britain, being dismantled little by little, every single day.

Did the Welsh really think that Westminster would offer the same regional support as EU ....

I lived several years in the UK and we had a joke among expatriates : if one day all flights, ferry crossings and channel tunnel traffic were completely stopped, the headline in the British press would be : the continent isolated ! Just to illustrate how delusional the British people can be about their situation.

Steel prices keep going up over here in France and supply has longer waiting periods than ever before. There is indeed the demand so no matter how the Tories and Farage try to spin it, they basically totally fecked up

UNLIKE the coal mines, steel still has a future as a product. Furnaces and power sources have moved ahead these days. Our Welsh and UK plants can be upgraded and made world class with a bit of loan guaranteeing by Westminster. This is a cynical and deliberate act by a political few, with fingers in foreign honeypots, to wreck yet ANOTHER sector of manufacturing in these united isles of ours. We desperately NEED manufacturing from local businesses. It's simply better economically. It makes sound business sense.

Port Talbot voted leave in the referendum .

Can anyone name and date the occasion where Patrick Minford (the Vote Leave economist, note the singular) said to a committee that "just like coal and steel, manufacturing and farming would no longer make sense and would cease to operate." when answering questions about brexit?

It’s not just Brexit then. It’s Brexit combined with Tory incompetence and indifference. A deadly combination.

What a mess.

it begs the question WHY...oh why did Wales vote to leave its biggest market...the EU. From over here in Ireland we seriously scratch our heads in wonder. Meanwhile, Ireland is booming...join the dots guys.

Carole Cadwalladr highlighted the lies that Facebook pushed to Ebbw Vale and most of the rest of South Wales before the Brexit referendum in her TED talk. These particular areas were actual beneficiaries of EU investment but the propaganda campaign was so successful that the locals voted for Brexit overwhelmingly. I have no sympathy for anyone who voted for Brexit, you told everyone else to just get over it. To all of you in Wales who voted for Brexit, I say "just get over it"

Isn't it possible to have your cake and eat it? surprise

A foreign owned company closes, this should not be surprising.

The voters of Neath Port Talbot voted for this -59% voted for Brexit.

Pre-Brexit the EU pumped so much funding into regenerating Wales, and basically kept the Ebbw Vale area on life support, so, yes, it did surprise me that they voted so heavily in favour of leaving and, by implication, bit the hand that fed them.

I live 6 miles from port talbot steel works and know a lot of people who work there,the majority of people who work there voted for Brexit. I’m talking over 90%

We need our own steel, the plant should be upgraded.

To me, this guy is a brilliant analyst of the horrific circumstances in the UK. Had he been at the helm of the British government, lots of grievances and pain could have been avoided.

We need to re-nationalise steel in the UK. Its a critical asset.

Dyson campaigned for Brexit. Won. Then moved to Singapore.

Where will the steel for the military or nuclear industries come from? China? Russia? EU? Steel making is a strategic industry/investment. Throwing supply to “foreign” countries is an own goal as it allows those countries to manipulate the supply/quality/cost to the UK.

The steelworks has always had some form of Government support as the demand for the steel produced declined. Eventually the investment required for the return didn't add up as exporting it was now far more costly due to brexit . Multiply that concept across many UK businesses and it shows where we are today.

I imagine that the majority of steel workers in Port Talbot voted to leave the EU. The closure is probably a consequence of their vote.

Wales voted to leave the EU, but by the narrowest of margins. The Leave campaign worked hardest on working class areas of Wales and in North East England using fear and promises, promises that have never come to fruition. Westminster is not interested in Wales and the poverty it has forced on us; except to force us deeper into poverty. This is deliberate, keep Wales under the thumb with no rights. The British government have plans for a bill that would mean British courts do not have to follow decisions by the European Court of Human Rights. In Europe Wales was afforded at least some protections and fair play. Those protections disappeared overnight after a margin of Britain´s population took the vote. Wales is among the poorest countries on the contient of Europe, while England remains one of the wealthiest, after Germany, and ranks among the wealthiest on the planet. England is not poor, Wales is on the poverty line. The only way to solve this is by breaking away from the clutches of England. But that´s not going to happen while England has us by the throat, choking the life out of us.

I saw this coming from the beginning; When I asked the standard brexiteer about trading with the EU, they just replied with the usual trope; "they need us more than we need them" My reply was "more for EU industry" This has proved to be the case and Gammons have melted away, because the truth may have dawned, the EU is only 22 miles away, and though further the republic is getting rich on the UK's hubris and stupidity

It is very difficult to have any sympathy for Port Talbot. The area voted for Brexit and it was very obvious that this would lead sooner or later to closure. South Wales also lost other new investments thanks to Brexit (Ineos car production).

That is the simple truth. Where do they sell the steel that they produce? UK and where else?

Simple answer, it is brexit and it is still not economically helping

After the referendum, not after Brexit. Steelworkers regretting their vote?

A deal to be announced shortly for US Steel to be the sole supplier of "official" steel for all UK industry... guaranteed 100%

Congratulations. You voted to leave one of the world's most prosperous markets. I'd recommend moving to Spain, but they're getting ready to start kicking Brits out because of, guess what, Brexit.

Wales should look into leaving the UK and joining the EU as an independent country.

Wales definitely was the turkey who voted for Christmas 🤣. Why oh why did they supported Brex[sh]it, because Welsh communities really benefited from membership of the EU in a number of ways! Wales was a net benefit region from the EU budget, meaning they got back more than they put in. Now all of that is gone😭😭

Thank you someone talking truth who knows the background. If Tata has other plants in E.U. countries one aspect you might add is that it's considerably cheaper for Tata to make U.K. employees redundant than it is in the major E.U. countries. The tories over the years have weakened U.K. employment law and minimum redundancy packages and that may well be a factor too. Another aspect that feeds into climate change is if we close our last plant then we will have to import and that steel will travel further to reach u.k. end users.

Well done for exposing the truth, we'll never move forward otherwise.

The UK never was a large player in international steel production lately. Somewhere ranking no 24, producing about the same as tiny Netherlands (27), and about 1/6 of Germany.

People need to understand that trade isn't imports Vs exports, it is both. In this case, iron ore is imported and turned into steel for export. This situation isn't unique. Britain's position on the Atlantic means that a lot of imports have value added to them before being exported. We can see that trade through Belfast, Liverpool, Bristol and even Heathrow are down because the current situation means companies are having to deal with two sets of regulations and tariffs when before it was one. What is sad is that this disproportionately affects poorer males who are more likely to work in manufacturing. I don't want to get into the ins and outs of leaving the European Union but I do want people to understand how global trade works. The only solution I can see is that those affected are going to have to retrain to work in the service industry.

Arcelor Mital, “We are Steel” we’ll steal your your steel “ 😂😂😂

With the right tools and enough time you can convince anyone of almost anything.

Surely those steel workers can just borrow a small boat and make a living fishing?

Another nail in TORY coffin🙃

most of europe is far far further on towards reaching net zero carbon and they arnt having these problems with industry we are

even the banking city of london jobs are leaving this country is down on its knees

I hope the Welsh Brexit voters feel that the blue British passport makes up for losing their industry. Sorry, but there comes a time when learning lessons is hard. Some changes can never be reversed. Get it right or live with consequences.

Hi I don't want to get into an argument. Can we look at this realistically. The problem with british steel happened many years ago. To make steel we need coal..... I used to work in a steel works that is closed down . We used to use our own coal. And we used to sell steel to places like japan and china, Then we had Margaret thatcher. And the coal mines shut down. Then the cost of making steel double. In one part of southwales we've got the biggest coal stream. That mine was shut. ..... , then we started to import coall from places like china , australia and various other countries. ......which made steel in the u k very expensive. So the steelworks that I worked at was closed down. It was like a train coming down the track. You could see it but nobody would believe it. , Now if you look at it, The conservative party started this, And now the conservative party is finishing it, I m not labour I am not a conservative party freak, If things About this it starts happening many years ago. We still could be making Steel . in this country. We were the best steel nakes in the world, .....But the cost of making it, Double, After the coal mines were closed down. I truly Feel sorry for everybody in the steel Working industry.. we've all lost our jobs, The one thing this man says in the video is true. The u k government does not care about r the steel works, They don't care about welsh people or any, The coal miners and the steel workers Who used to be the back bone of this country? , They blame everything on climate change, Go to other countries and have a look At what they are doing, For instance china, Australia america. They don't give a shit about climate change, One other thing, look at what's going on at the moment. They're trying to blame climate change on the farmers and cows. What's next are they gonna try and stop us breathing or farting............... In wales we've lost too many jobs. This government does not care about people.....Anyway, I hope everybody has a good day.

British Steel, anyone?

EU dictate to us. Yes they do . 14 day cooling off period when buying. Free roaming in EU Mandatory minimum 20 days holidays every year. Unit pricing. Goole it. EU wide standards for hygiene EU wide rules for building site safety gear workers must have. EU wide standard for consumer rights EU erasmus programme. EU common travel area EU free trade EU blue beaches EU sewage dumping EU water standards EU marine safety EU max dri ing hours for HGV drivers I could go on all night.

I'm an remainer ,but lets be fair to those who voted for brexit,on the ballot paper it was a different brexit .🤭🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣why am i laughing,its our youngsters futures that been made incredibly harder .i wish i could put down what's in my heart ,just thinking of all the lies by farage , widdicombe ,mogg and the lier ,and the rest of them , I'd be banned .😔

Real journalism. Good work.

As the old saying has it: you made your bed, now lie in it.

Nigel, Boris, thank you very, very much. So you see again what lies can do, and that's just the beginning.

It’s so sad that people have been hoodwinked to believe in Brexit and now they won’t accept why this had happened my heart goes out to the people of south wales that’s have lots their jobs again shafted by the tories and big business

Remember this phrase: "Brexit means Brexit"! And now it came back to bite you in the butt!!!

Didn't the government give Tata money to stay open a couple of years ago?

Farage, the Tories and the right wing media won’t take responsibility for the mess they created, so is this one of those Brexit benefits they’ve been talking about? My heart goes out to the 2000+ families that will be affected by this closure.

Wales voted for Brexit 🤔

Keeping that plant in operation and in British ownership is a matter of national security. In the event of a war war we would have to be able to produce steel. Unfortunately for us, the Tories don't care about anything that doesn't line their own pockets.

Nice, and an important story. But I really wish you'd not force us to see subtitles. Let people select them if they want. For those of us who prefer to listen rather than read, flashing subtitles are a real distraction.

Careful what you vote for.

ok so Imagine an new British Islands politican party combining Sein fein and scotland SNP, a "Celtic Union" party. advocating for a united republican Ireland, with scotland and wales rejoining the EU on their own, while little England is left on its own.

Where can I find evidence that plants in Europe are not closing

Im in shock, a politician talking sense and supporting his opinion with fact and logic.

Brexit 100%.

When we were in the E.U it always seemed to be that British branches of any industry were clobbered first.

The plant is not closed or closing.

"How Green is my valley", sorry Mr Ford, the valleys Over There look greener.

The core central reality relates to a central Strategic observation made at the time of the Brexit vot, Britain is not a Viable state on its own. It is painfully obviously in a condition of rapid catastrophic collapse. Government there no longer exists. Horrors may result, it is a tragedy.

they can't even hint at net zero, because Sunak and his chums are against that, are moving back on agreements.The truth is simple, devalued pound, uncertain trade as proper checks come online and Cameron onwards selling out protecting our industries for cheap imports. If in the EU, protection would be there. Now if only Port Talbot had reminders of that, like the vast number of nlue plagqes from EU projects. We are punished by the Tories, because we have never mandated Tories as the country of Cymru

Nothing to do with Britain having the most expensive energy in Europe, then?

So, why did all the steel plants close throughout the 80s and 90s?

Greater London, Scotland and Norther Ireland voted to remain because the population there thoroughly understood what the EU membership brought to the country. ESPECIALLY, in the regional areas. Imagine demanding economic prosperity but deciding to shut out the rest of Europe (or Asia) 😂 The leave voters want British only, they got it. Now they know, the British population isn't enough to keep the industry going.

Also the reason it's raining more!

A meme I saw earlier: Definition of a Brexiteer; Someone who bricks up their windows to stop others looking in, then complains because they can't see out.

I seem to remember Farage gleefully stating that “after we Brexit they (the rest of the world) will be queuing up to make deals with us”. Seems to me they are queuing up to leave!!

What utter tosh. This is all due to EU rules restricting TATA due to the furnaces. The UK government could and should have done more but the real problem is our useless assembly.

So, why did Redcar steelworks close in 2015, when Britain was a member of the EU ?

It’s not the largest , it’s Scunthorpe

Liars and scumbags have destroyed our future.

Brexit - the gift that just keeps on giving.

The UK sold out its industry long before Bexit came along. For example, every British car company is foreign owned.

Will the remaining plants be able to supply the coming increase in the arms industry?

Of course it’s Brexit. The UK productivity has been stagnating while it’s been growing in EU states.

😮 *Brexit voters love the benefits of being a benefit scrounger because of Brexit they voted for* 😂

Why do you have that guy's name on the thumbnail? Why is he being given the notoriety he relies on?

shouldn't have listened to nigel and kate hoey sailing up the Thames. 😑

arrogance + ignorance = brexit

Hard Brexit. Make it difficult to trade with your largest closest market. Then act surprised when all of the warnings that were given (project fear lol) actually then come through in reality. Wales also voted for Brexit so the blame has to go round.