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Campaign hots up amid new polls Campaign hots up amid new polls
(about 1 hour later)
The Welsh assembly election campaign is accelerating as two new opinion polls were published with similar findings. The Welsh assembly election campaign has accelerated after two new opinion with similar findings were published.
The two polls both suggested Labour may fail to win a majority on 3 May.The two polls both suggested Labour may fail to win a majority on 3 May.
Tory leader David Cameron campaigned on anti-social behaviour in the Vale of Glamorgan and Labour's Rhodri Morgan, in west Wales, focused on the economy.Tory leader David Cameron campaigned on anti-social behaviour in the Vale of Glamorgan and Labour's Rhodri Morgan, in west Wales, focused on the economy.
Plaid Cymru's Ieuan Wyn Jones set out key policies in any future coalition talks and Liberal Democrat Mike German campaigned in Ceredigion.Plaid Cymru's Ieuan Wyn Jones set out key policies in any future coalition talks and Liberal Democrat Mike German campaigned in Ceredigion.
The latest polls came as Downing Street strongly denied press claims Tony Blair would announce his resignation before Scottish, Welsh and English local elections on 3 May.The latest polls came as Downing Street strongly denied press claims Tony Blair would announce his resignation before Scottish, Welsh and English local elections on 3 May.
In a rare comment on his plans, Downing Street said speculation Mr Blair would quit on Tuesday, 1 May, was "wrong".In a rare comment on his plans, Downing Street said speculation Mr Blair would quit on Tuesday, 1 May, was "wrong".
The Welsh polls both suggested that Labour's vote was down on the 40% it achieved at the last assembly election in 2003, when it formed the assembly government with 30 of the 60 seats.The Welsh polls both suggested that Labour's vote was down on the 40% it achieved at the last assembly election in 2003, when it formed the assembly government with 30 of the 60 seats.
If we want to crack crime and anti-social behaviour it's not just something for government David Cameron, Conservative leaderIf we want to crack crime and anti-social behaviour it's not just something for government David Cameron, Conservative leader
A poll for ITV Wales on Thursday by NOP indicated Labour was on 32%, down four points since a similar poll three weeks ago.A poll for ITV Wales on Thursday by NOP indicated Labour was on 32%, down four points since a similar poll three weeks ago.
It put Plaid Cymru on 26% (up 6%), Conservatives 19% (down 4%), and Liberal Democrats on 15%, similar to three weeks ago.It put Plaid Cymru on 26% (up 6%), Conservatives 19% (down 4%), and Liberal Democrats on 15%, similar to three weeks ago.
Another poll for the Western Mail on Friday put Labour at 36% in the 40 first-past-the-post constituencies.Another poll for the Western Mail on Friday put Labour at 36% in the 40 first-past-the-post constituencies.
The poll, by Beaufort Research, put Plaid on 26%, Conservatives 19%, Lib Dems 13% and others 7%.The poll, by Beaufort Research, put Plaid on 26%, Conservatives 19%, Lib Dems 13% and others 7%.
A further 20 AMs will be elected from party lists in the five regions of Wales. The Western Mail poll in the regions put Labour at 35%, Plaid 26%, Conservatives 20%, Lib Dems 12% and others 7%.A further 20 AMs will be elected from party lists in the five regions of Wales. The Western Mail poll in the regions put Labour at 35%, Plaid 26%, Conservatives 20%, Lib Dems 12% and others 7%.
'Crucial commitments'
Mr Cameron said of the polls: "I don't see any point in speculating on polls when we've got an election in under a week".Mr Cameron said of the polls: "I don't see any point in speculating on polls when we've got an election in under a week".
Speaking at a farm near Barry that offers work and training to disaffected youngsters and helps adults and young people with learning difficulties, he said: "The message is that if we want to crack crime and anti-social behaviour it's not just something for government.Speaking at a farm near Barry that offers work and training to disaffected youngsters and helps adults and young people with learning difficulties, he said: "The message is that if we want to crack crime and anti-social behaviour it's not just something for government.
"This voluntary body, this social enterprise, does a fantastic job in taking young people in danger of falling out of school who'll become the Asbo kids of the future and it's actually turning them around now.""This voluntary body, this social enterprise, does a fantastic job in taking young people in danger of falling out of school who'll become the Asbo kids of the future and it's actually turning them around now."
A Plaid-led government is realistic Ieuan Wyn Jones, Plaid Cymru leader If the people of Wales want a stable, Rhodri-led government, they need to vote for it Peter Hain, Labour
Meanwhile, Plaid leader Ieuan Wyn Jones indicated the key policies if he was to enter coalition talks with other parties after next Thursday's Welsh assembly election. Labour Welsh Secretary Peter Hain dismissed the poll findings, which he said his party did not recognise.
At Llandrillo College, Rhyl, Mr Hain said: "If you want Labour to be in power in Wales you need to come out to vote Labour, otherwise you will let the Tories back into power running schools and hospitals with the Lib Dems and Plaid Cymru.
"We've always said, and the polls suggest, that this is a straight choice between a Labour government and a Plaid, Tory and Lib Dem government which will be unstable and put at risk the future of Wales.
"If the people of Wales want a stable, Rhodri-led government, they need to vote for it... we have flatly ruled out any coalition with Plaid.
'Crucial commitments'
"Therefore the choice is a Labour government or a coalition, with all the risks and instability that will bring at a time when Wales is moving forward."
Meanwhile, Plaid leader Ieuan Wyn Jones indicated the "crucial commitments" if he was to enter coalition talks with other parties after next Thursday's Welsh assembly election.
These would be: creating a commission on Welsh Assembly Government-funding from Westminster; a referendum on creating a Scottish-style Parliament by 2011, and cutting business rates by up to 50%.These would be: creating a commission on Welsh Assembly Government-funding from Westminster; a referendum on creating a Scottish-style Parliament by 2011, and cutting business rates by up to 50%.
Mr Jones said these were "crucial" commitments for his party.
He said: "A Plaid-led government is realistic," but added: "How the arrangements happen after 3 May is anyone's guess".He said: "A Plaid-led government is realistic," but added: "How the arrangements happen after 3 May is anyone's guess".
Mr Jones has made clear that Plaid would discuss possible options with any other party if no-one wins a majority next week. Mr Jones has made clear that Plaid would discuss possible options with any other party, but ruled out "propping up a failed Labour administration" or serving under a Conservative first minister.
However, he has ruled out "propping up a failed Labour administration" or serving under a Conservative first minister.
Speaking at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff, he set out 11 priorities for the next assembly term.Speaking at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff, he set out 11 priorities for the next assembly term.
The commission that his party wants on funding Wales would also look at "borrowing and tax-varying powers and replacing council tax with local income tax".The commission that his party wants on funding Wales would also look at "borrowing and tax-varying powers and replacing council tax with local income tax".
As Lib Dems launched their "manifesto for Ceredigion," assembly group leader Mike German said their goals were to protect post offices, safeguard services in Bronglais Hospital and promote jobs and housing so that skills could be retained in the area.
Mr German said he was confident that his party was moving "in the right direction" after the opinion polls, but Lib Dems had a "lot more work to do" to convince undecided voters.
Asked if he was still confident his party could be in a position to tip the balance of power after 3 May, Mr German said: "I think that's a matter for after the election".