Welsh Conservatives launch manifesto for ‘change’
The Welsh Conservatives have unveiled their manifesto for the forthcoming Welsh election, billed as their most comprehensive and ambitious yet.
Billed as a vote for change, the manifesto was launched amid a day of events to mark the official start to the Conservatives’ election campaign, ahead of the poll on May 3rd.
National party leader David Cameron was joined by Welsh assembly leader Nick Bourne and shadow secretary of state for Wales Cheryl Gillian for the launch of the Save the Family charity in Mold.
Meanwhile, Welsh Conservative party chairman Francis Maude joined candidates and members for a campaign rally at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.
Ms Gillian said a vote for Welsh Conservatives was a vote for change and a “brighter, healthier, greener future”. She argued: “The Labour Party has taken Wales for granted for far too long. It is time for change.
“The Conservative party represents the working people of Wales and of Britain. We are committed to improving the quality of life for everyone in Wales and to providing a credible alternative to Labour.”
The party undertook its biggest ever Welsh consultation to produce the 70-page document, with input from professional organisations, trade unions, charities and other bodies.
Commitments include; reforming NHS structures to improve the delivery of care at local level, an opposition to top-up fees, reduced ‘red tape’ for businesses, targets to recycle 40 per cent of domestic waste by 2011 and for 15 per cent of energy to come from renewable sources.
The leader of the Welsh Conservatives in the National assembly Nick Bourne added: “This manifesto sets out how Welsh Conservatives will improve the quality of life for everyone in Wales.
“It is the most ambitious, most comprehensive, most progressive platform for government we have ever produced in Wales.”
The Welsh Liberal Democrats also launched their election campaign earlier this week, trailing their forthcoming manifesto with nine pledges for a “fair, green future”.
Welsh Labour’s manifesto taster was launched last month, promising to build a “fairer, safer and more prosperous Wales”.
Plaid Cymru were the first major party to launch their official manifesto, unveiling its Seven for 07 policies earlier this week.
