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Welsh Labour conference: No U-turn over NHS reforms | Welsh Labour conference: No U-turn over NHS reforms |
(about 3 hours later) | |
The Welsh government will not back down over controversial plans to reform the NHS, Carwyn Jones has told the Welsh Labour conference. | |
The first minister told a gathering of the party faithful in Llandudno there will be no change of course. | |
Proposals to close some smaller hospitals and move services from others have sparked protests around Wales. | Proposals to close some smaller hospitals and move services from others have sparked protests around Wales. |
Mr Jones appointed Mark Drakeford as his new health minister last week. | |
The first minister said there will be no change of policy, and "difficult decisions" will have to be made. | |
He also told delegates Labour is in its strongest position since devolution, but the party still needs to change. | |
"Now is the time for us to look to the future," Mr Jones said. | |
"Renewal should always be about the confidence to change and adapt when you are at your strongest," he said. | |
"Now is the time to plan for the future, for our party and our country." | "Now is the time to plan for the future, for our party and our country." |
The first minister also claimed that the Welsh government is "standing up for Wales". | |
He said his party offered a "genuine alternative" to the coalition government in Westminster. | |
He added that Labour officials in power in Wales, both in local authorities and the government, were not afraid to "take difficult decisions". | |
UK Labour leader Ed Miliband will address the spring conference on Sunday. | UK Labour leader Ed Miliband will address the spring conference on Sunday. |
Mr Jones made delivery the watchword of his term in office and told the conference that his government is succeeding in securing people jobs. | |
Jobs Growth Wales is the government's flagship scheme and aims to give unemployed and job ready 16-24-year-olds an opportunity, by offering them a six-month contract with an employer which is paid for by the government. | Jobs Growth Wales is the government's flagship scheme and aims to give unemployed and job ready 16-24-year-olds an opportunity, by offering them a six-month contract with an employer which is paid for by the government. |
The first minister claimed the programme has been "eight times more successful" than the coalition government's corresponding scheme. | |
Vision | Vision |
He said figures show that those who sign up to his scheme are eight times more likely to find employment than those who sign up to the UK government's work programme. | |
Mr Jones has been Welsh Labour leader since the leadership election in 2009, after the resignation of Rhodri Morgan who held the position for nearly a decade. | Mr Jones has been Welsh Labour leader since the leadership election in 2009, after the resignation of Rhodri Morgan who held the position for nearly a decade. |
He led his party to a victory of sorts in the 2011 assembly election, winning 30 of the 60 available seats, then deciding to govern alone as a minority government. | He led his party to a victory of sorts in the 2011 assembly election, winning 30 of the 60 available seats, then deciding to govern alone as a minority government. |
The latest unemployment figures showed a rise of 7,000 claiming out of work benefits in the three months leading up to January, although the total number is lower than it was this time last year. | The latest unemployment figures showed a rise of 7,000 claiming out of work benefits in the three months leading up to January, although the total number is lower than it was this time last year. |
The Welsh government and the Westminster coalition continuously blame each other for the poor performance of the Welsh economy. | The Welsh government and the Westminster coalition continuously blame each other for the poor performance of the Welsh economy. |
Shadow Welsh secretary Owen Smith is the other senior Labour figure on Saturday's agenda. | Shadow Welsh secretary Owen Smith is the other senior Labour figure on Saturday's agenda. |
The Pontypridd MP will explain how Labour's "one nation" slogan applies to Wales. | The Pontypridd MP will explain how Labour's "one nation" slogan applies to Wales. |
New Welsh Health Minister Mark Drakeford is also set to speak on Saturday. | New Welsh Health Minister Mark Drakeford is also set to speak on Saturday. |
Campaigners opposed to Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board's reorganisation plans called off a planned protest at the event. | Campaigners opposed to Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board's reorganisation plans called off a planned protest at the event. |