Lib Dems defends 'track record'

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Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Mike German said the party's councillors are making a difference to Wales.

During his speech at the party's spring conference in Llandudno, he defended their track record in local government.

Responding to criticism by leader of Welsh Labour Rhodri Morgan, he said: "If he wants to talk about records in local government - bring it on."

He gave no clues to the date he plans to stand down during what is thought to have been his last conference speech.

Mr German referred to his party's track record in the four councils that are Lib-Dem led - Bridgend, Cardiff, Swansea and Wrexham.

"Wherever you go, where the Liberal Democrats have been in leadership positions, there is change.

"Nowhere have I heard anyone say 'I wish I hadn't voted Lib Dem. I wish we still had Labour in power'.

"You know why? Because no-one wants Labour back", said Mr German.

He talked about the Liberal Democrats being "safer, greener and better value" while governing in local government.

We want a referendum sooner rather than later Mike German

The Welsh Liberal Democrats results following the assembly elections in May 2007 were disappointing.

Change was necessary, Mr German told delegates on Saturday, in order to regain momentum and win more votes in the future.

"If we are the change makers in the councils, then we have to be willing to show that willingness to change ourselves.

"All parties need to look closely at themselves after an election, to challenge themselves and look again at their core principles," said Mr German.

He outlined how he is moving forward with change within the party, including a review of campaigning, a review of their constitution and a policies review.

'Welsh party'

Reviews of health and education policy are already under way, and other policy changes are being undertaken to form a new direction before the assembly elections in 2011.

He also acknowledged the need for the party to be perceived as a "Welsh Party".

"We have to reach beyond the border areas where we are strong. Beyond Ceredigion, and reach deeper in to west Wales.

"We used to be the natural party in those areas - we can be again", he said.

While discussing the powers of the assembly, he once again called for a referendum to be called before the next Welsh Assembly election - now known as the Welsh General Election.

"We want a referendum sooner rather than later.

"When people vote in 2011, they should know what they're voting for.

"And don't think that we are going to have a referendum on the same day as the Welsh General Election," said Mr German.

Local government

During an attack on Plaid Cymru, he said the party had been "tucked up by Labour" and claimed it had been "lured by the bait of a referendum" only to be "left high and dry by Labour's self-styled devo-realists".

However, Labour was the main target in his speech, "a century of Labour, but nothing has changed for people in the most deprived communities" he said.

"Labour's way hasn't worked.

"This next election is our opportunity. Toe-toe with Labour. Taking them on in all the big cities", said Mr German.

Meanwhile, Rodney Berman, the leader of the Liberal Democrats at the Welsh Local Government Association, dedicated his speech to conference to the success of his party in delivering services and change in Local Government.

"Prior to 2004, who would have guessed that the Welsh Liberal Democrats would now be providing services to over one million people across Wales - to one third of the population?"

"Labour like to paint a picture that the sky has fallen in on all local authorities where the Welsh Lib Dems booted them out of office.

"But the people who live there know that the only people for whom the sky has fallen in are Labour", said Mr Berman.