Up and Coming: Tories 'out of the comfort zone'

Saturday, April 16, 2011

Tories 'out of the comfort zone'

Prime Minister David Cameron and Welsh Conservative assembly group leader Nick Bourne in Cardiff in March

Nick Bourne, pictured with David Cameron, says Labour has run down Wales

Conservatives will set a target to improve the economy when they publish their Welsh assembly election manifesto.

In his introduction to the document, David Cameron says his party has an "ambitious programme for government".

He says the Welsh Tories are a "new voice" with plans to make Wales healthier, happier and more prosperous.

The manifesto says wealth levels should reach 85% of the UK average by 2020 and 100% by 2030.

The Conservatives almost got into government after the 2007 assembly election, until a "rainbow coalition" with the Liberal Democrats and Plaid Cymru fell apart. Labour and Plaid then formed their own coalition.

Tories won 12 of the 60 assembly seats in 2007, although a defection from Plaid Cymru increased their number to 13.

A Tory assembly government would set up a public-private-partnership scheme, called Building Together, to invest in infrastructure projects, including a major school building programme.

It would seek to establish a direct air-link between Wales and north America and pay for the Severn bridge tolls to be frozen for car drivers until 2017.

Conservatives are also planning to scrap business rates for small firms - a pledge that rivals say is unaffordable.

“The Welsh Conservative party wants to be a new voice for Wales and in particular we want to see a more enterprising economy”

David Melding Welsh Conservative policy director

They have also faced questions from opponents about a key pledge to ring-fence the NHS budget.

The manifesto restates the policy, and attacks Labour for deciding to "cut" health spending in Wales.

Universities would be allowed to raise tuition fees to a maximum of £9,000, subject to approval by the assembly government.

The manifesto promises world-class higher education, with a target for Cardiff University to become one of the world's top 50 universities by 2020.

Under the Tories, schools would be funded directly by the assembly government. A new "middle phase" for eight to 13-year-olds would be established to "bridge the gap" between the primary school foundation phase and courses for teenagers.

There is a promise to use the law-making powers won by March's referendum, including in an Enterprise Bill to foster the private sector and a Public Health Improvement Bill that would create a health screening service.

Welsh Conservative election pledgesProtect the NHS budget for four yearsInvest in education to give teachers, parents and governors a greater sayAn armed forces' card with benefits such as free bus travel and NHS priority careScrap business rates for all small businessesProtect flood plains with new 'blue belts' to prevent irresponsible developmentEliminate child poverty by 2020Protect free bus passes and free prescriptions for older peoplePromote the Welsh language with a new charter mark for businesses that encourage its useSource: Welsh Conservatives

Mr Cameron offers a "Welsh Big Society", adding: "Welsh Conservatives are a new voice for Wales, and we are on your side."

Welsh Tory assembly leader Nick Bourne writes: "Labour has run this proud nation down.

"With your help, we can build a brighter, more prosperous Wales in which progress once again comes knocking at every door and communities can thrive."

Party policy director David Melding, a candidate in the south Wales central region, said: "The Welsh Conservative party wants to be a new voice for Wales and in particular we want to see a more enterprising economy.

"We must take more responsibility for generating our opportunities and creating wealth here in Wales and we have a range of policies to do that, starting with the abolition of business rates for all small businesses in Wales."

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