This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/wales/wales_politics/8078622.stm

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Labour 'shares anger' on expenses Labour 'shares anger' on expenses
(30 minutes later)
Labour has claimed it is the only party that could work effectively for Wales in the EU, Wales and Westminster.Labour has claimed it is the only party that could work effectively for Wales in the EU, Wales and Westminster.
Two before the European elections, lead Welsh Labour candidate Derek Vaughan said he "shared the anger" of people over MPs' expenses.Two before the European elections, lead Welsh Labour candidate Derek Vaughan said he "shared the anger" of people over MPs' expenses.
He also pledged to publish all his receipts if elected as he met residents at the Phoenix Centre in Swansea.He also pledged to publish all his receipts if elected as he met residents at the Phoenix Centre in Swansea.
Mr Vaughan said the Townhill centre was a "fantastic example of a local project funded in Wales with European money".Mr Vaughan said the Townhill centre was a "fantastic example of a local project funded in Wales with European money".
He said Labour was "at the heart of Europe" and could "work together as a team in Westminster and Wales", where Labour was in government.He said Labour was "at the heart of Europe" and could "work together as a team in Westminster and Wales", where Labour was in government.
He also strongly attacked the two parties Labour sees as its main opponents in the election.He also strongly attacked the two parties Labour sees as its main opponents in the election.
Mr Vaughan said "the Tories have pledged to sit with racists and those who deny that global warming is a man-made problem".Mr Vaughan said "the Tories have pledged to sit with racists and those who deny that global warming is a man-made problem".
We should pull together to beat the global economic downturn Derek Vaughan, Labour lead candidateWe should pull together to beat the global economic downturn Derek Vaughan, Labour lead candidate
That was a reference to Conservative plans to leave the centre-right grouping in the European Parliament and set up a rival group which was dismissed by lead Welsh Conservative candidate Kay Swinburne.That was a reference to Conservative plans to leave the centre-right grouping in the European Parliament and set up a rival group which was dismissed by lead Welsh Conservative candidate Kay Swinburne.
She said: "Labour are getting desperate. We have repeatedly said we will not ally with any party that has extreme views."She said: "Labour are getting desperate. We have repeatedly said we will not ally with any party that has extreme views."
InvestmentInvestment
Turning to Plaid Cymru, Mr Vaughan said the rival party "in Europe, as in Wales" was "obsessed with cutting Wales off, with separatism".Turning to Plaid Cymru, Mr Vaughan said the rival party "in Europe, as in Wales" was "obsessed with cutting Wales off, with separatism".
"At times like these we should pull together to beat the global economic downturn," he said."At times like these we should pull together to beat the global economic downturn," he said.
Responding, Plaid lead candidate and MEP Jill Evans said "Labour are in complete meltdown", "looking increasingly desperate" and "grasping at straws".Responding, Plaid lead candidate and MEP Jill Evans said "Labour are in complete meltdown", "looking increasingly desperate" and "grasping at straws".
"Plaid wants to see Wales at the heart of Europe, playing its full role as a modern European nation."Plaid wants to see Wales at the heart of Europe, playing its full role as a modern European nation.
"We have a proven track record of fighting for Wales to win European funding and investment," she added."We have a proven track record of fighting for Wales to win European funding and investment," she added.
Plaid is urging voters to "open up a new chapter" in Welsh politics by putting the party ahead of Labour and the Conservatives in Thursday's poll.Plaid is urging voters to "open up a new chapter" in Welsh politics by putting the party ahead of Labour and the Conservatives in Thursday's poll.
Before heading off to canvass in Llanelli and Garnant, Mr Vaughan said that "what people really want to talk about is the economy, and my goal throughout has been to win more investment for the people of Wales".Before heading off to canvass in Llanelli and Garnant, Mr Vaughan said that "what people really want to talk about is the economy, and my goal throughout has been to win more investment for the people of Wales".
Lisa Stevens, who Labour hopes will win a second Welsh seat for the party in the European Parliament, was campaigning in Cwmbran, Abergavenny, Merthyr Tydfil, Aberdare and Cardiff.Lisa Stevens, who Labour hopes will win a second Welsh seat for the party in the European Parliament, was campaigning in Cwmbran, Abergavenny, Merthyr Tydfil, Aberdare and Cardiff.
She said people wanted to discuss "how schemes like ProACt and ReAct (devised by the Labour-Plaid Welsh Assembly Government) can help their families through financial and employment difficulties".She said people wanted to discuss "how schemes like ProACt and ReAct (devised by the Labour-Plaid Welsh Assembly Government) can help their families through financial and employment difficulties".
'Decency and competence''Decency and competence'
"What most people don't realise is that such projects receive massive European funding - and our focus is to carry on winning for Wales in Europe"."What most people don't realise is that such projects receive massive European funding - and our focus is to carry on winning for Wales in Europe".
Ms Stevens said the "most important priority" was to "answer questions about how we will make ourselves accountable, and how we will fight in Europe to improve the lives of hardworking Welsh people".Ms Stevens said the "most important priority" was to "answer questions about how we will make ourselves accountable, and how we will fight in Europe to improve the lives of hardworking Welsh people".
Campaigning in Cardiff, Liberal Democrat lead candidate Alan Butt Philip said it was "an exciting election and at this stage it really is difficult to predict how the people of Wales will vote".Campaigning in Cardiff, Liberal Democrat lead candidate Alan Butt Philip said it was "an exciting election and at this stage it really is difficult to predict how the people of Wales will vote".
Many voters, he said, were "just looking for decency and competence - and I feel that the Welsh Liberal Democrats and I can thrive in this context".Many voters, he said, were "just looking for decency and competence - and I feel that the Welsh Liberal Democrats and I can thrive in this context".
"We're taking a positive, constructive message to Wales, we're demonstrating our understanding of European policy and our long-standing desire for wholesale reform of politics and voters are engaging with those messages and debates." Welsh Conservative lead candidate Swinburne was meeting voters in Cowbridge in the Vale of Glamorgan.
Dr Swinburne said Conservatives wanted "a Europe working in the interests of Welsh workers and consumers, Welsh businesses, and Welsh farmers, and protecting the Welsh environment".
"We also want Europe to stop obsessing about taking ever more powers for itself and instead concentrate on where it can make a real difference to people's lives," she added.