We'll push for a bolder Welsh government, say Greens

The Green Party says a vote for it in the Senedd election will "push the new Welsh government to be bolder".

Its leader in Wales, Anthony Slaughter, said the Greens would cut bills and fix the housing crisis.

The party is holding what it calls an action day in Cardiff on Saturday, and says hundreds of activists will be out campaigning.

Polls suggest the Greens may win seats in Cardiff Bay for the first time, and the party says its membership in Wales is now above 8,000.

Slaughter said they could have several Senedd members in the new Welsh Parliament.

"Last year we set out to break through into the Senedd, but recent polls have predicted Greens could win five or more seats on 7 May," he said.

He said there were "hundreds of activists" campaigning to get candidates elected in the Welsh capital.

"A vote for Welsh Greens is a vote to cut bills, fix the housing crisis and push the new Welsh government to be bolder."

The party's leader in England and Wales, Zack Polanski, will also be in Cardiff on Saturday to meet members.

In the evening he will appear at an event at Cardiff Students Union.

The party says more than 400 people have bought tickets.

Earlier this week, Slaughter told BBC Wales about his priorities if there was a need for cooperation between the parties in the new Senedd.

Opinion polls suggest Reform and Plaid Cymru are close to one another in vying for first place, while the Labour Party may lose power after being in charge of the Welsh government since devolution began in 1999.

It is not thought any party will have a majority, so an agreement between two or more of them may be needed.

Appearing on The Phone-In on BBC Radio Wales, Slaughter said reform of the water industry and rent controls could form part of any deal involving the Greens.

"We are not just there to nod things through or just sort of tinker round the edges," he said.

On rent control, he said problems in the housing sector were down to rogue landlords who charged "exorbitant rent for mouldy damp flats" and people who "owned multiple properties".

On water, Slaughter said he was concerned about the "state" of Wales' rivers and coastline, and would look at the ownership model of Welsh Water.

He did not say whether having the Greens in power would mean more money for the health service, but said it needed to be used wisely, and that his party would integrate social care into the NHS and prioritise preventative health.