PRESS RELEASE : Welsh Conservative concern over hostile second home tactics [November 2022]

The press release issued by the Welsh Conservatives on 29 November 2022.

The Welsh Conservatives have written to North Wales’ Police and Crime Commissioner expressing concern over “hostile” tactics to display opposition to second homes in the area.

It was reported today that holiday homes on Anglesey have been plastered with posters saying ‘Wales is not for sale’ by campaigners who want council tax increased on second homes.

Commenting on her letter, Shadow Minister Janet Finch-Saunders MS, who speaks on housing for Wales’ main opposition party, said:

“I am worried about campaigners are adopting hostile tactics to show their opposition towards second homes in North Wales because the last thing we need is this escalating into what we saw Meibion Glyndwr do in the 1980s.

“Whilst the frustration that house prices are going up in the area, making it harder for locals to buy property, are legitimate, the answer is to build more houses, not trespassing and defacing private property with aggressive campaign material.

“That’s why I have written to the PCC – so we can ensure the law is upheld and that protest remains peaceful and legal. People should not be afraid to sell or buy property because of antagonistic rhetoric from pressure groups.

“There are many issues facing Wales’ housing market, like Labour not building half the homes needed to keep up with demand, so let’s make sure we fix the causes rather than attack the symptoms of the Labour Government’s failure.”