Mark Hannaby The Politics Show Wales

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Liberal Democrats: Left or Right

Welsh Liberal Democrats say their Spring Conference at NEWI in Wrexham is about preparing not only for 2007's Assembly Election, but for a new era in Welsh politics.

The Government of Wales Bill currently going through Parliament would give the National Assembly powers to make laws (known as "Assembly Measures") on a wide range of matters.

With this in mind, the Lib Dems plan to use their Conference to start spelling out how they would use those law making powers.

Policies the conference will be asked to back include replacing Council Tax with a Local Income Tax and introducing a new Welsh Language Act to incorporate utilities which have moved from public to private sector since the current Act was passed.

Members will also be asked to agree opposition to new nuclear power stations in Wales, and to endorse a Dental Action Plan extending the number of dental training places.

Welsh Lib Dem Assembly Leader Mike German AM said: "We are the only party in Wales to debate and agree, in an open forum, the policies that will form our manifesto.

"Party members have their chance this weekend to debate some of the foundations for our 2007 manifesto.

"That is far above any other Welsh party's commitment to democracy and member involvement."

Delegates will have an opportunity to size up their new UK Leader, Sir Menzies (known as Ming) Campbell.

He is expected to address them at Friday evening's rally.

They will be trying to work out whether, under Sir Menzies' leadership, a tax-raising or free market agenda is likely to predominate ... or if he moves the party to the Left or the Right.

Some commentators saw the new Leader's recent endorsement of a plan to part-privatise the Royal Mail as a nod to the Right of his party, something to attract floating voters who might as easily vote for David Cameron's Conservatives as for the Lib Dems.

At a UK level it has been a difficult few months for the Liberal Democrats, having lost a Leader, Charles Kennedy MP, over his struggles with an alcohol problem, and a Home Affairs spokesman, Mark Oaten MP, over a sex scandal.

Despite this the party's mood in Wales seems upbeat.

Lib Dems are still buoyant about having doubled their parliamentary seats at the May 2005 General Election, adding Cardiff Central and Ceredigion to their Montgomeryshire and Brecon and Radnorshire strongholds.

They also control Cardiff, Swansea and Bridgend Councils and help run Wrexham, Conwy and Powys.

Having tasted power in a Cardiff Bay coalition as recently as 2003, the party awaits the 2007 Assembly Election believing they have a real chance of putting their policy ideas into practice in an Assembly Government.

The conference begins on Friday 10 March, and concludes on Sunday 12 March 2006.

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