The Welsh Conservatives have criticised Labour’s latest school term date update, which, as outlined in a written statement, restricts attendance at the Royal Welsh Show for schools and consequently pupils and families outside the Powys area. They have likened this decision to Labour and Plaid Cymru’s controversial plans to reform school holidays.
While these proposed reforms have been postponed, they included plans to move the first week of the summer holiday to October. This decision was widely condemned by the farming industry, as it would overlap with the dates of the Royal Welsh Show, traditionally held during the first week of the school summer holidays. Additionally, the reforms faced strong opposition from every teachers’ union, as well as the tourism and business sectors. Due to the overwhelming backlash, Labour delayed the plans until after the election.
Commenting, Welsh Conservative Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Education, Natasha Asghar MS, said:
“These plans will undoubtedly reduce footfall at the Royal Welsh Show by restricting the number of families who can attend its first two days.
“As the Royal Welsh was a major barrier to Labour and Plaid Cymru implementing their deeply unpopular school holiday reform, making this small change now feels like they are laying the groundwork to implement their original plans to rob our children of their summer holidays in the future.
“The Welsh Government cannot ignore the opposition from every teachers’ union, as well as the farming, tourism and business sectors. We need a rethink on these dates immediately, and the school holiday reform must be scrapped completely not just postponed.”
Also Commenting, Welsh Conservative Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs Samuel Kurtz MS, said:
“The Royal Welsh Show is an event of cultural significance to all of Wales, and any changes that jeopardise that ability for young people to enjoy it should be confined to the bin.
“This decision adds to the narrative that agriculture and rural communities are an afterthought for Labour, and never a priority.”
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