Up and Coming: Jones calls for 'end to excuses'

Friday, March 25, 2011

Jones calls for 'end to excuses'

Plaid leader Ieuan Wyn Jones will pledge to "transform Wales"

Plaid Cymru will fight May's assembly election on the economy and with a pledge to lift standards in education, the party's leader will say on Friday.

Plaid would end a "culture of excuses" that Ieuan Wyn Jones said had characterised Labour's time in office.

He will tell the party's spring conference it is "time to transform Wales".

Plaid has attacked Labour's handling of education policy within the two parties' coalition assembly government.

They have shared power since 2007, but there have been signs of unease between the two sides as they part company to fight May's election.

Plaid has criticised Labour's handling of the education portfolio, while some in Labour have attacked Mr Jones's record as Deputy First Minister with responsibility for the economy and transport.

Speaking before the conference, Mr Jones said he had transformed his department and that "a similar transformation is going to be required in education to deliver higher standards".

He would not be drawn on the concessions Plaid will seek if it is involved in coalition talks after May's election.

"We are fighting this election on the manifesto, not the deals afterwards," he said.

“Wales needs a party of government that will keep its word and is true to the values it holds dear”

Ieuan Wyn Jones AM Plaid Cymru leader

He made clear "it's going to be difficult" to strike a deal with the Conservatives or Liberal Democrats. The three parties worked on a so-called rainbow coalition that would have ousted Labour in 2007, but it fell apart after a split among Welsh Lib Dem party chiefs.

Plaid has come under fire from opponents recently over the feasibility of its proposals for a not-for-profit company to fund infrastructure projects.

The company would raise money from financial markets to make up for falling capital budgets.

Mr Jones said the scheme showed Plaid had "innovative plans" for the economy, and was not just complaining about declining public spending.

In his speech to the conference at the Wales Millennium Centre, Mr Jones will say a Plaid government would tackle illiteracy in schools.

He will pledge to renegotiate contracts with doctors and dentists as part of an attempt to give patients more choice over healthcare.

He will describe the election as a "crossroads", adding: "Now is the time to transform Wales into the country we want it to be. We know that people expect nothing less of Plaid Cymru.

"Wales needs a party of government that will keep its word and is true to the values it holds dear."

"Wales also needs a party which is not intent on putting up with things as they are. For Plaid that is not and never has been enough."

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