 Ieuan Wyn Jones says Plaid can deliver its coalition promises |
Plaid Cymru leader Ieuan Wyn Jones is to tell councils to "shake themselves up" and "develop original ideas". At his party's spring conference in Newport, he will say Plaid needs more local government partners to deliver a "modern, prosperous and just future". Plaid hopes for gains in areas such as Cardiff, Newport, Neath and the valleys in the council elections on 1 May. Mr Jones, deputy first minister in the assembly government, will also review nine months of coalition with Labour. He is expected to tell delegates that the the party's priority in government is to bring about progress rather than merely preserve power.  |  It will be up to us - each and every one of us - to make the case for further powers |
Mr Jones will say in his speech that Plaid is in government to bring about a change and to provide fresh thinking, even if that involves making difficult decisions. Party members will be told Plaid is becoming an "innovative force in Welsh politics" and people are "noticing the difference Plaid is making through being in government". Plaid currently has 173 councillors and says it is confident it can increase that total. This is the first time Plaid has held a conference in Newport, and South Wales East AM Mohammed Asghar will open events. According to MrJones, Plaid has gone to Newport to show that it is a party for the whole of Wales. He is also expected to emphasise that Plaid can deliver on all the promises made in the One Wales document which formed the basis of its coalition with Labour by 2011. This includes new legislative competence orders (LCO) to gain additional law-making rights involving the Welsh language. He will also reaffirm that the government is sticking to its coalition deal commitment to hold a referendum on a full law-making powers for the assembly by 2011. He will use his speech to urge all those who support a Yes campaign to start getting involved in the debate. "It will be up to us - each and every one of us - to make the case for further powers," Mr Jones will say. "It will be our opportunity, our responsibility to have an intelligent and mature debate that will inspire the people of Wales."
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