Reform UK’s steel revival plan has ignited controversy after leader Nigel Farage pledged to bring blast furnaces back to Port Talbot. During a visit to the Welsh town, Farage argued that reopening the furnaces would help Wales “reindustrialize to prosper and grow.” However, critics dismissed the proposal as unrealistic. They cited massive costs and industry skepticism.
Farage admitted that restarting the furnaces would not be easy. He estimated costs in the “low billions.” He also suggested using Welsh coal for steel production, though he stressed he was “not forcing people down pits.” Yet, an industry source told said that the old furnaces are beyond repair. They are filled with hundreds of tonnes of solidified iron. Building new ones could cost £3 billion—a major hurdle for Reform UK’s steel revival plan.
Labour’s First Minister Eluned Morgan called the idea “absolute nonsense,” questioning whether Welsh families want a return to mining. Meanwhile, Plaid Cymru and the Conservatives accused Farage of making “empty promises.” Welsh Conservative leader Darren Millar argued that the aging furnaces were losing £1.5 million daily before closure. This situation makes revival economically unviable.
Despite criticism, Farage insisted his party’s ambition was long-term. He said it requires UK government support. He also cast doubt on Tata Steel’s electric arc furnace project. Farage claimed high energy costs would make recycled steel too expensive.
Initially, Farage spoke of reopening the old furnaces before acknowledging it might be “impossible.” Later, he clarified that building new ones could be the only solution. This inconsistency fueled skepticism, with Plaid Cymru’s Heledd Fychan calling the proposal “nonsensical.”
Farage declared Reform’s campaign for the 2026 Senedd elections had begun. They aim for a majority, which is a historic challenge under Wales’ new voting system. He also announced two independent councillors had joined Reform. However, he admitted the party lacks a Welsh leader, calling it a “work in progress.”
Reform UK’s steel revival plan remains a contentious topic, blending economic ambition with practical hurdles. While Farage frames it as a path to self-sufficiency, opponents see it as a political stunt. As debates continue, Port Talbot’s workers await clarity on their industry’s future.
Will Reform UK’s steel revival plan gain traction, or will it collapse under financial and logistical realities? For now, the proposal has succeeded in stirring debate but delivering results may prove far harder.
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