Conservative Party to hold spring forum in Wales

Prime Minister David Cameron will address the forum between 4 and 6 March. The event, secured in partnership with Cardiff & Co’s Convention Bureau, is expected to attract around 2,500 delegates.

Conservative Party MP Stephen Phillips said: "This will be the party’s first spring conference since being elected to Government and Cardiff seemed to tick all the right boxes in terms of what we were looking for.

"The Welsh capital has changed beyond recognition over the past decade and its compact city centre lends itself well to this sort of event. The majority of the city’s hotels and attractions are all within walking distance of the conference venue, the SWALEC Stadium, host to last year’s Ashes Test."

Cardiff & Co spokesman Hywel Thomas added: "There has been significant investment in the city region’s hotels and conferences are central to their sustainability and growth. Cardiff & Co, in partnership with the Cardiff Hoteliers’ Association, has recently appointed Heledd Williams to the role of Cardiff Convention Bureau manager to take forward this agenda and attract additional conference business into the city." 

"These are challenging times and after the severe weather conditions in December, this announcement will provide the perfect fillip to the city’s hotel and leisure industry and will be seen as a positive start to the new year".    

The Conservative Party's annual conference, meanwhile, will be held at Manchester Central.