David Chadwick wants to see community ownership “at the very front and centre” of the Government’s industrial investment strategy.

The Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe MP spoke in the Commons during a debate on the Government’s Great British Energy Bill on Tuesday, October 29.

He said: “I hope that people from former mining communities are listening to this debate, because I am sure they will have some choice words to say about a Conservative talking about de-industrialisation.

“In Wales, we will never forget what the Conservatives did to our industries and the jobs and futures they took away from people.

“De-industrialisation has been happening for a very long time across the United Kingdom.

“We are yet to see a real industrial strategy that would restore the wealth, prosperity and jobs that used to exist across our industrial areas.

“Wales stands ready to play its part in powering the United Kingdom once again, but this time Wales would like to experience the tangible benefits from these projects.”

Mr Chadwick said that in his constituency, Llangattock Green Valleys has the ambition to develop plans for a large, community-owned renewable energy scheme to supply premises in the Crickhowell region.

He told MPs: “The scheme will have a mix of technologies, such as solar, hydro, wind and storage, to give a year-round supply of energy.

“It will be developed from the start in consultation with the community. It will be managed by the community and the profits will benefit the community itself.

“We Liberal Democrats are firm believers that this is exactly the model of community ownership that will provide communities with security and prosperity well into the future.”

Mr Chadwick urged MPs to ensure that the Government’s Great British Energy Bill puts the principle of community ownership “at the very front and centre” of what the Government are trying to achieve.