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Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Kirsty Williams will today claim it is her party and not the Conservatives who are true champions of business.

Ms Williams will claim it is a “myth” that the Conservatives embrace business, enterprise and entrepreneurship and argue only the Lib Dems have the ideas and ambition the Welsh economy needs to grow.

Welsh Conservatives accused the Lib Dems of having “persistently propped up a Welsh Labour Government” that is “failing businesses”.

'Here is my truth'

But Ms Williams will today state in a speech at Coleg Cambria, Wrexham: “Here is my truth: It is a myth that Conservatives embrace business. For too long, the Conservatives have got away with one of the biggest myths that exist in politics, and that is that the Tories are the party of business.”

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The Brecon and Radnorshire AM will claim that being the “party of hedge fund managers and tax cuts for your richest donors does not make you the party of business.”

She will say: “The fact is that conservatism regards business as supporting the status quo, but for Liberals, business is about change. It’s about allowing new ideas to challenge old ones, allowing the small to challenge the big.”

'Everyone deserves that same chance'

Making a pitch for the support of Wales entrepreneurs, she will say: “Entrepreneurism and liberalism are at one on so many issues: Believing that no-one owes us a living and that Government shouldn’t get in the way of us making a living; believing that, given the opportunity, we can make a difference through our own individual talents and vision; believing everyone deserves that same chance to succeed regardless of where they come from.

“It’s about wanting to be creative and innovative, supporting people to be their own boss, and letting them thrive in creating opportunities for others.”

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The burden on business

Addressing business concerns, she will say: “I’m yet to speak to a small business owner who doesn’t complain of the weight they feel to be under, which is why the Welsh Liberal Democrats will tear down the barriers that stop businesses from fulfilling their ambitions.

“We’ll empower councils to be flexible with business rates, encouraging them to invest in economic development by letting them keep half of any increases they generate through their own hard work. We will help small business grow by creating a Small Business Administration in a new Welsh Development Bank, bringing independent advice and finance together, giving growing businesses the best chance of success

“We’d slash VAT to specifically support our tourism industry to thrive and create jobs for others. We will revitalise our struggling highs streets by slashing business rates for those buying empty properties, while empowering local people and businesses to drive the regeneration of their local communities and tackle dereliction and decay.”

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'Hollow' words

A Welsh Conservative spokesman said: “Small business owners and hard-working people will see straight through these hollow Lib Dem words. If the Lib Dems were serious about supporting Wales’ businesses, they’d explain why they’ve persistently propped up a Welsh Labour Government failing businesses.

“Since 2010, Conservatives have delivered economic recovery and renewed business confidence; whilst taking more than 158,000 people out of tax altogether in Wales. But businesses need more support from a cosy Cardiff Bay establishment.

“From supporting enhanced business rate relief, to localised access to finance and lower taxes, Welsh Conservatives are the party of workers in Wales.”