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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Hain's 'bare-knuckle' fight call | Hain's 'bare-knuckle' fight call |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Next May's assembly elections will be a "bare-knuckle fight" with the Conservatives, Welsh Secretary Peter Hain has told the Labour Party. | Next May's assembly elections will be a "bare-knuckle fight" with the Conservatives, Welsh Secretary Peter Hain has told the Labour Party. |
| He was speaking to delegates on the final day of party's annual conference. | He was speaking to delegates on the final day of party's annual conference. |
| He also said a vote for Plaid Cymru or the Liberal Democrats would result in Wales ending up with a Conservative first minister. | He also said a vote for Plaid Cymru or the Liberal Democrats would result in Wales ending up with a Conservative first minister. |
| Neath MP Mr Hain has said he will stand for the post of deputy prime minister when John Prescott steps down. | Neath MP Mr Hain has said he will stand for the post of deputy prime minister when John Prescott steps down. |
| In his speech at the conference in Manchester, Mr Hain poured scorn on the green credentials of Conservative leader David Cameron. | In his speech at the conference in Manchester, Mr Hain poured scorn on the green credentials of Conservative leader David Cameron. |
| He said: "People in Wales have rumbled David Cameron. He boasts he has renewable energy at his London home, but on a visit to Wales denounced the turbines which generate it as 'giant bird-blenders'." | He said: "People in Wales have rumbled David Cameron. He boasts he has renewable energy at his London home, but on a visit to Wales denounced the turbines which generate it as 'giant bird-blenders'." |
| He condemned Mr Cameron's record on devolution, accusing the Conservatives for being the only party to oppose the Government of Wales Bill, which gives greater power to the assembly. | He condemned Mr Cameron's record on devolution, accusing the Conservatives for being the only party to oppose the Government of Wales Bill, which gives greater power to the assembly. |
| 'Second-class MPs' | 'Second-class MPs' |
| He called next May's Welsh assembly elections a "bare-knuckle" fight with the Tories. | He called next May's Welsh assembly elections a "bare-knuckle" fight with the Tories. |
| "Let's work with Rhodri [First Minister Rhodri Morgan] to make sure we win that fight and ensure Labour wins an assembly third term next May. | "Let's work with Rhodri [First Minister Rhodri Morgan] to make sure we win that fight and ensure Labour wins an assembly third term next May. |
| "A vote for the Lib Dems or Plaid at the assembly elections could mean waking up to a Tory-led coalition on May 4," Mr Hain said. | "A vote for the Lib Dems or Plaid at the assembly elections could mean waking up to a Tory-led coalition on May 4," Mr Hain said. |
| Nick Bourne, leader of the Conservatives in the assembly, said Mr Hain's comments showed Labour was "on the ropes in Wales". | Nick Bourne, leader of the Conservatives in the assembly, said Mr Hain's comments showed Labour was "on the ropes in Wales". |
| "Instead of fighting a positive campaign, all he can do is hurl insults at the Conservative Party in the hope of frightening the electorate," he added. | "Instead of fighting a positive campaign, all he can do is hurl insults at the Conservative Party in the hope of frightening the electorate," he added. |
| A Plaid Cymru spokesperson described Mr Hain as "clearly totally out-of-touch with Welsh politics. | |
| "A deal has already been struck between Labour and the Liberal Democrats over a coalition in the assembly between the two parties next year. | |
| "Our part-time Welsh Secretary is too busy fighting his campaign to be deputy leader of the Labour in London, than concentrate on what is happening in Wales.¿ | |
| Mr Hain, aged 56, also warned that Tory proposal to stop Welsh and Scottish MPs voting on English-only matters would create "second-class MPs". | Mr Hain, aged 56, also warned that Tory proposal to stop Welsh and Scottish MPs voting on English-only matters would create "second-class MPs". |
| He adds: "That can only lead in one direction - towards the door marked 'exit' from the United Kingdom." | He adds: "That can only lead in one direction - towards the door marked 'exit' from the United Kingdom." |
| Competition | Competition |
| Mr Hain claimed Labour was the party of devolution. | Mr Hain claimed Labour was the party of devolution. |
| "Our commitment to more devolution in Wales has killed Plaid Cymru's separatist fantasy and ensured it is Labour that is the party that defends the union," he said. | "Our commitment to more devolution in Wales has killed Plaid Cymru's separatist fantasy and ensured it is Labour that is the party that defends the union," he said. |
| The Welsh Secretary formally announced his candidacy for the deputy leader post at the TUC conference in Brighton. | The Welsh Secretary formally announced his candidacy for the deputy leader post at the TUC conference in Brighton. |
| It marks the latest stage in a political journey which has taken him from president of the Young Liberals and anti-apartheid campaigner into the Labour cabinet. | It marks the latest stage in a political journey which has taken him from president of the Young Liberals and anti-apartheid campaigner into the Labour cabinet. |
| He is expected to face competition from several other senior ministers also vying for the job. | He is expected to face competition from several other senior ministers also vying for the job. |