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/6391751.stm
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 3 | Version 4 |
---|---|
Morgan's 'Tory nightmare' warning | Morgan's 'Tory nightmare' warning |
(1 day later) | |
First Minister Rhodri Morgan has warned that voter apathy could see a Tory-led "nightmare alliance" running Wales. | First Minister Rhodri Morgan has warned that voter apathy could see a Tory-led "nightmare alliance" running Wales. |
Mr Morgan said there was a danger in a "naturally anti-Tory country like Wales" of assuming that Conservatives could never be in government. | Mr Morgan said there was a danger in a "naturally anti-Tory country like Wales" of assuming that Conservatives could never be in government. |
He told Welsh Labour's conference that Plaid Cymru and Liberal Democrats could join a "Tory-led triple alliance" after May's assembly elections. | He told Welsh Labour's conference that Plaid Cymru and Liberal Democrats could join a "Tory-led triple alliance" after May's assembly elections. |
Welsh Tory leader Nick Bourne accused Mr Morgan of lacking ideas and vision. | |
Mr Morgan, who wants the elections to be about Welsh issues and Labour achievements in Wales, has warned that "noises off" in Westminster - including the "cash for honours" row - could damage the party's chances. | Mr Morgan, who wants the elections to be about Welsh issues and Labour achievements in Wales, has warned that "noises off" in Westminster - including the "cash for honours" row - could damage the party's chances. |
More grunt up front Rhodri Morgan echoes Welsh rugby coach Gareth Jenkins | More grunt up front Rhodri Morgan echoes Welsh rugby coach Gareth Jenkins |
Labour is a minority government in the assembly, and holds 29 of the 60 seats. | Labour is a minority government in the assembly, and holds 29 of the 60 seats. |
In his closing address to the conference in Llandudno, Mr Morgan urged delegates to ensure Labour supporters voted on 3 May, rather than assuming that Labour would win. | In his closing address to the conference in Llandudno, Mr Morgan urged delegates to ensure Labour supporters voted on 3 May, rather than assuming that Labour would win. |
The first minister said: "What none of us want to see is Labour defeated in the election, not because the people of Wales wanted to put a non-Labour administration in charge of our country but because we couldn't galvanise our voters into turning out. | The first minister said: "What none of us want to see is Labour defeated in the election, not because the people of Wales wanted to put a non-Labour administration in charge of our country but because we couldn't galvanise our voters into turning out. |
"What we don't want to see is thousands of people who forgot to vote on Thursday beseeching Labour on Friday to try and carry on after losing the election. | "What we don't want to see is thousands of people who forgot to vote on Thursday beseeching Labour on Friday to try and carry on after losing the election. |
"'We didn't get round to voting on Thursday because we were sure that everyone else in our street would remember to vote and we're all Labour around here anyway. | "'We didn't get round to voting on Thursday because we were sure that everyone else in our street would remember to vote and we're all Labour around here anyway. |
Rhodri Morgan and his Cabinet will emphasise distinctive Welsh policies | Rhodri Morgan and his Cabinet will emphasise distinctive Welsh policies |
"But unfortunately democracy doesn't work by hand-wringing on Friday. It works by voting on Thursday and by foot slogging and door-knocking in March and April." | "But unfortunately democracy doesn't work by hand-wringing on Friday. It works by voting on Thursday and by foot slogging and door-knocking in March and April." |
He concentrated his fire on the Conservatives. After 10 years out of power, he said they were "as hungry as a starving tigress on the prowl". | He concentrated his fire on the Conservatives. After 10 years out of power, he said they were "as hungry as a starving tigress on the prowl". |
He told the conference: "Voters have to keep the Tories where they belong - out of office and out of power." | He told the conference: "Voters have to keep the Tories where they belong - out of office and out of power." |
Mr Morgan warned his party that the opposition parties made "strange bedfellows," but they were willing to enter a triple alliance - or, as he joked, "a tripe alliance". | Mr Morgan warned his party that the opposition parties made "strange bedfellows," but they were willing to enter a triple alliance - or, as he joked, "a tripe alliance". |
He said that that "nightmare alliance could be running Wales after 3 May" and urged his party's supporters: "If you are Labour, vote Labour". | He said that that "nightmare alliance could be running Wales after 3 May" and urged his party's supporters: "If you are Labour, vote Labour". |
He spoke the day after Prime Minister Tony Blair - making his final speech to the Welsh conference before stepping down this year - told delegates that a vote for any other party could lead to a "rag-bag Tory-led coalition". | He spoke the day after Prime Minister Tony Blair - making his final speech to the Welsh conference before stepping down this year - told delegates that a vote for any other party could lead to a "rag-bag Tory-led coalition". |
Mr Morgan continue the attack by warning against letting the Tories get into power "through the back door". | Mr Morgan continue the attack by warning against letting the Tories get into power "through the back door". |
The conference ended in time for delegates to watch Wales' Six Nations match against France. | The conference ended in time for delegates to watch Wales' Six Nations match against France. |
Mr Morgan, a rugby fanatic, quoted Welsh coach Gareth Jenkins, who has called for "more grunt up front," and urged Labour activists to follow suit. | Mr Morgan, a rugby fanatic, quoted Welsh coach Gareth Jenkins, who has called for "more grunt up front," and urged Labour activists to follow suit. |
Nick Bourne, leader of the Conservatives in the assembly, said Mr Morgan's speech "lacked vision, big ideas and conviction". | |
"It exposed in the clearest possible terms how Rhodri Morgan and Labour have run out of energy and are running out of time," said Mr Bourne. | |
"We heard nothing new from Rhodri Morgan in this speech. While all he can do is talk about the past the Conservative Party is looking to the future." |