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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
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| Labour focusing on council gains | Labour focusing on council gains |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Welsh Labour will focus on campaigning for the local council elections as its spring conference in Llandudno begins. | Welsh Labour will focus on campaigning for the local council elections as its spring conference in Llandudno begins. |
| Party leaders will be particularly keen to regain control of four of the largest Welsh councils on 1 May: Bridgend, Cardiff, Swansea and Wrexham. | Party leaders will be particularly keen to regain control of four of the largest Welsh councils on 1 May: Bridgend, Cardiff, Swansea and Wrexham. |
| First Minister Rhodri Morgan said Labour was delivering "good basic services and low council tax". | |
| It comes as Gordon Brown makes his first visit to Wales as Prime Minister to attend the conference later. | |
| Mr Morgan said he believes Labour can reach voters with a message of improving public services, tackling crime and investing in schools. | |
| He said: "When I look at the transformation of our communities in Wales I am proud of the work of our Labour local government leaders in making things happen." | He said: "When I look at the transformation of our communities in Wales I am proud of the work of our Labour local government leaders in making things happen." |
| The conference follows disappointment for the party at the assembly elections in 2007 when Labour lost seats. | The conference follows disappointment for the party at the assembly elections in 2007 when Labour lost seats. |
| 'Noble aim' | 'Noble aim' |
| Although it remained easily the biggest party, Labour managed to remain in power only through a coalition deal with Plaid Cymru. This upset some in Labour, particularly a number of MPs. | |
| Since Gordon Brown became prime minister, the UK government has been hit by a series of problems, including the decision not to call an election, lost child benefit data, Northern Rock and donations rows. | Since Gordon Brown became prime minister, the UK government has been hit by a series of problems, including the decision not to call an election, lost child benefit data, Northern Rock and donations rows. |
| It is against this backdrop that Mr Morgan will want to focus Labour attention on local council issues. | It is against this backdrop that Mr Morgan will want to focus Labour attention on local council issues. |
| His target is taking the four big councils where the Liberal Democrats are the largest party. | His target is taking the four big councils where the Liberal Democrats are the largest party. |
| Mr Morgan has also launched a scheme to encourage the public to text their ideas on education, public services, the environment and other local issues. The party says these could be adopted by Labour in the election campaign. | Mr Morgan has also launched a scheme to encourage the public to text their ideas on education, public services, the environment and other local issues. The party says these could be adopted by Labour in the election campaign. |
| Labour launched a commission ahead of the conference chaired by Rhondda AM and Deputy Regeneration Minister Leighton Andrews. It will work on economic policies for the next general election. | Labour launched a commission ahead of the conference chaired by Rhondda AM and Deputy Regeneration Minister Leighton Andrews. It will work on economic policies for the next general election. |
| Mr Andrews said: "This policy commission will help frame our vision to the voters of Wales over the next decade. | Mr Andrews said: "This policy commission will help frame our vision to the voters of Wales over the next decade. |
| "It will set out the noble aim not simply of meeting our historic goal of full employment, but of forging a Wales where all of our young people, with work and effort, can build a future based around quality skills and good wages." | "It will set out the noble aim not simply of meeting our historic goal of full employment, but of forging a Wales where all of our young people, with work and effort, can build a future based around quality skills and good wages." |
| The conference will continue in Llandudno throughout the weekend. | The conference will continue in Llandudno throughout the weekend. |