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Last Updated: Wednesday, 2 May 2007, 07:35 GMT 08:35 UK
Final verdicts of BBC's Wales 60
Welsh assembly building at night
All heading to the Senedd have been under the eye of the Wales 60
The BBC's Wales 60 have spent the election campaign closely watching their would-be Assembly Members trying to battle their way to Cardiff Bay.

The 60 - one for every AM to be elected on Thursday - was selected to represent a broad range of opinion in Wales.

They have been airing their views on BBC Wales throughout. Now, as Wales decides, it is time for the 60 to have their last say as well.

So we asked some for a final verdict on the campaign and the candidates.

Owain Phillips, 19, student, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion: "I'd say that it's been a very interesting and open campaign - the most open contest for years.

"I've heard people in other parts of Wales saying that you wouldn't know that there's an election on - but here in Ceredigion you certainly do. It's been a really fierce battle and there are posters everywhere."

Owain Phillips
Owain Phillips has thoroughly enjoyed the campaign

Kelvin Griffiths, 53, farmer and former police officer, Carmel, Flintshire: "In a word - it's been disappointing. Nobody has got to grips with the real problems facing the country they're just tinkering around the edges. Not one party is putting the country first."

Margaret Teare (and husband Keith), 58, retired market gardener, Llanbrynmair, Powys: "We were on Richard Evans' programme on Radio Wales and had the opportunity to interview all the party leaders. This has helped us for the first time to understand the differences between the parties."

Greg Burke, 18, student, Barry, Vale of Glamorgan: "The parties are all talk and no policy. They will say, 'This party is doing this and this party is going that - vote for us' rather than offering hard policies of their own. There has been a lack of policy."

Andy Rinvolucri , 24, personal carer, Lampeter, Ceredigion: "There have been a lot of petitions on local issues such as plans to move the post office and there are a lot of strong feelings about this.

"I've always been a floating voter and as I've come to see how the assembly could be run, I've changed my mind about politics and seen the importance of taking local opinion into account in developing policies."

Allyson Westbrook-Howell, 45, full-time mother and student, Pentwyn, Cardiff: "On the streets I haven't seen anybody. We've had leaflets from some of the parties. There doesn't seem to be much awareness amongst the public.

Bedwyr Griffiths, 32, carer, Denbigh: "I think there's less apathy than usual locally - there are more posters and placards in fields than have been for years - more people are taking an interest this time I think."

Allyson Westbrook-Howell
Allyson Westbrook-Howell has not seen anybody out campaigning

Lisa Berry, 18, student, Newport: "I don't think it has been very prominent in this area. We've had lots of leaflets through the door but no-one has knocked the door here.

"The election seems to be all about the NHS, which is important, but only one of the parties seems to be saying anything much about what it would do for students."

Jason Lewis, 37, businessman/sales manager, Tredegar, Blaenau Gwent: "I think the politicians have given up on the silent majority. It has not been targeted at the working man. They've not been going after people who don't vote. I struggle to see a clear message from any of them."

Mary Elen Rowlands, 22, administration assistant, Amlwch, Anglesey: "I've enjoyed being part of Wales 60. I joined the group to try and change things and it's been a chance to voice my opinion.

"But I'm angry that the politicians don't listen. I raised a question about Anglesey on the debate programme from Llandudno and no-one on the panel answered me - they just don't want to know about Anglesey."

Ieuan Davies, 52, chauffeur and insurance investigator, Pontprennau, Cardiff: "The only thing I've really noticed is how negative the campaigning has been. The parties have all been saying what's wrong with each other - taking cheap shots at each other.

"The policies seem to be pretty similar and I think they should have concentrated more on their differences - something they haven't done very successfully."






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