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Labour 'will win battle of ideas' Murphy's government thrift call
(about 2 hours later)
Welsh Secretary Paul Murphy has told the Welsh Labour conference the party will "win the battle of ideas" in the run-up to the next general election. Welsh Secretary Paul Murphy has told the Welsh Labour conference that the government has to "tighten its belt" as the recession deepens.
Addressing the last day of the Swansea conference, he insisted the party "won't give up" fighting the recession. Addressing the last day of the Swansea conference, he said it would be wrong to make "deep cuts".
First Minister Rhodri Morgan has already told delegates Labour has used devolution to combat the slump. But he admitted government would have to watch spending "just like families and businesses around the world".
Prime Minister Gordon Brown told party members public investment should be maintained through the recession. Mr Murphy appealed directly to voters with a speech full of references to Labour "values" and "ideas".
Mr Murphy told the conference in the city's Brangwyn Hall that in difficult economic times Labour values "are needed more than ever". He also paid tribute to Welsh Labour leader, Rhodri Morgan, who is due to step down this year, calling him an "immense figure" and a "true statesman".
The Welsh secretary also sought to boost the morale grass-roots members following the party's recent slump in UK opinion polls. His warning on public spending comes as opposition leader David Cameron has been telling the Conservative Spring Forum he plans to "replace Labour's spendaholic government with a new government of thrift".
The economy has been a central theme over the weekend. Put simply, a Tory government would not have taken the action necessary to help people in tough times Paul Murphy
'Hand up' But the Secretary of State for Wales defended Labour's efforts to get to grips with the economic crisis.
First Minister Rhodri Morgan, in his last Welsh conference speech as Welsh Labour leader, praised the assembly government's effort through the recession and preparing the economy for an eventual return to growth. "While Labour is taking action to help families and businesses, the Conservatives remain the do-nothing party, opposing the action Labour is taking to stimulate the economy," he told delegates in Brangwyn Hall.
He attacked what he said was the Tories' hidden agenda of cutting public services and the Plaid Cymru ambition for an independent Wales. "Put simply, a Tory government would not have taken the action necessary to help people in tough times."
But he warned "tough choices" lay ahead because of the perilous state of the public finances. Mr Murphy targeted his speech at the party faithful and around 200 delegates stayed until the conference's final day to hear it.
The prime minister addressed the conference on Friday. He said people should be offered "a hand up" during the economic downturn. "Times change, but one thing remains the same - our basic values: socialist, Welsh, fair, decent," he said.
He said: "You don't cut public investment at a time like this. You support families and businesses through a downturn." 'Battles ahead'
Mr Murphy insisted Labour could still perform well in the upcoming European elections and the next general election.
"We can win by standing up for our record in government," he said.
"So we can be positive about the battles ahead.
"If we are confident, set our minds to it and put in the hard work, we can return two MEPs in June, and we can deliver a fourth term for Labour."
Mr Murphy reserved a section of his speech for an attack on Welsh Labour's coalition partners in the Welsh Assembly Government, Plaid Cymru.
Wales 'owed Rhodri Morgan an enormous debt,' said Mr Murphy
He said: "Now is the worst possible time for Plaid's separatist dream - Wales' isolated nightmare.
"While Plaid immerse themselves in their constitutional obsessions, Welsh Labour AMs, MPs, councillors and MEPs get on with the job of making devolution work for the people of Wales."
On Saturday, Rhodri Morgan used his last speech as leader before stepping down later this year to urge voters to "stick with Labour" during the economic crisis.
He said devolution was "earning its stripes" all over again as the 10-year-old Welsh assembly had "evolved something new for Wales" by bringing together business, public sector and trade union leaders in a series of economic summits.
Mr Murphy offered a glowing appraisal of Mr Morgan's tenure as Welsh Labour leader and First Minister.
'Stick with Labour'
"Rhodri and I have been close friends for nearly a quarter of a century," he said.
"Since becoming our first minister, he has embodied Welsh Labour devolution, and he has established himself as a true statesman who has earned the respect of all Welsh people, irrespective of party allegiance."
"We and the whole of Wales owe him an enormous debt."
The conference, which also saw speeches from Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Deputy Leader Harriet Harman, came to a close with an event called "Fairness not Fear", which drew attention to Labour's campaign against the British National Party.