Plaid 'must make tough choices'

Ieuan Wyn Jones says Plaid can deliver its coalition promises

Plaid Cymru leader Ieuan Wyn Jones says his party's priority in the Welsh Assembly Government is to achieve progress rather than preserve power.

He told Plaid's conference in Newport it was in government to bring about change and to provide fresh thinking, even if that meant difficult decisions.

The deputy first minister reviewed nine months of coalition with Labour, and admitted compromises had to be made.

But he stressed forming a coalition with Labour was the right thing to do.

We are now, for the first time in our history able to implement Plaid Cymru policies... and are delivering on the aspirations of generations of Plaid Cymru supporters Ieuan Wyn Jones, Plaid Cymru leader

"Being in government is never easy, and there are difficult choices which have to be made," he told delegates

"There are tough decisions to take - some of which are unpopular," he said.

But he told supporters: "We are now, for the first time in our history able to implement Plaid Cymru policies... and are delivering on the aspirations of generations of Plaid Cymru supporters."

Party members were told that Plaid is becoming an "innovative force in Welsh politics" and people are "noticing the difference Plaid is making through being in government".

He stressed that Plaid could deliver on all the promises made in the One Wales document which formed the basis of its coalition with Labour.

South Wales East AM Mohammed Asghar opened the conference

Mr Jones reaffirmed that the assembly government was sticking to this commitment.

'Mature debate'

He also used 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 said.

"It will be our opportunity, our responsibility to have an intelligent and mature debate that will inspire the people of Wales."

But he said that agreeing to a referendum was not enough, there also had to be a campaign for a Yes vote.

He also berated the Welsh Labour MPs who were "in denial" over this commitment.

He said the agreement not only committed both sides to holding a referendum, but also states that the two parties have agreed "in good faith" to campaign for a successful outcome to the referendum.

"This is what we've signed up to in One Wales, this is the deal - in black and white and it will be delivered."

He stressed, however that the coalition with Labour only applied to assembly politics and not the local elections on 1 May.

Plaid hopes for gains in areas such as Cardiff, Newport, Neath and the valleys in the council elections.

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 it was opened by South Wales East AM Mohammed Asghar.

According to Mr Jones, Plaid has gone to Newport to show that it is a party for the whole of Wales.

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