"Give him the send off he deserves" say Welsh Lib Dems on Blair's last full day in office

10.31.52am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 26th Jun 2007

The Welsh Liberal Democrats today marked Tony Blair's last full day as Prime Minister by saying that after over 10 years of New Labour, the people of Wales deserved a change for the better.

In homage to Plaid Cymru's election advertising campaign and Ieuan Wyn Jones's press statement on the 10th anniversary of New Labour in power, the Welsh Lib Dems said that today was a golden opportunity to "give Blair the send off he deserves" by rejecting a Labour-led Assembly Government.

Jenny Randerson, AM for Cardiff Central and lead Lib Dem negotiator for the All-Wales Accord, said:

"Tony Blair's last day as Prime Minister provides a fitting chance to remind Plaid Cymru that they have the opportunity this week to make a difference.

"Is Plaid really going to prop up a party it described during the election campaign as adopting the aspects of 'deceit and dishonesty, lies and smear'?

"I would urge Ieuan Wyn Jones to remember his comment of May 1st - 'Labour in Wales much like Blair has shown that they are no longer fit to govern.'

"To agree to keep Labour in power will surely be a more welcome leaving present for Blair than the framed picture that the cabinet whip-round resulted in. Is that really the ''send off he deserves' that Plaid promised?

"The All-Wales Accord is a radical programme for government that will drive devolution forward. It offers a real opportunity for a fresh start for Wales. To put it into action in government will be a fitting end to the New Labour era as Tony Blair departs office."

Notes/Nodiadau:

Plaid Cymru press release 01/05/07

Give him the send off he deserves" say Plaid on Blair's 10th Anniversary

01 May 2007

Plaid Cymru today marked the 10th anniversary of New Labour assuming power by launching their final poster advertising campaign of the National Assembly elections. The poster shows a picture of Tony Blair with the caption 'Give Him the Send off He Deserves'. Plaid said that after 10 years of New Labour, the people of Wales deserved change for the better.

Plaid Leader Ieuan Wyn Jones said:

"The 10th anniversary of New Labour assuming power provides a fitting chance to remind the people of Wales that they have the opportunity on Thursday to make a difference. What we have witnessed from Labour during this election is the adoption of the worst aspects of Labour in London, deceit and dishonesty, lies and smear. Labour in Wales much like Blair has shown that they are no longer fit to govern."

"Blair's record has been of widening wealth inequalities; a million manufacturing jobs lost; creeping privatisation of public services; a disastrous war in Iraq which has undermined international law and increased the security threat for people living on these isles; the emergence of spin dominated politics; the reliance on means testing of benefits; the privatisation of public assets such as Royal Mint, The Tote and Air Traffic Control; a taxations system on expenditure not income; tax free status for non domiciled billionaires; a PFI debt burden of over £160bn and rising; a fundamental undermining of civil liberties; a callous attack on public sector jobs; real term pay cuts for public sector workers such as nurses; and a decision to renew Trident at an expected cost of over £70bn."

"For all these reasons, the people of Wales should give Blair the send off he deserves by voting Plaid twice on Thursday."

http://www.plaidcymru.org/content.php?nID=14;ID=233;lID=1

Diwedd/Ends

Release/Rhyddhau: 26/06/2007

Contact/Cyswllt: Dewi Knight 07919915868