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Morgan's vision of stronger Wales | |
(about 3 hours later) | |
First Minister Rhodri Morgan has closed the Welsh Labour conference by setting out how Wales can prosper. | |
In Llandudno he mapped the strategic direction Wales should take, including raising skill and training levels. | |
He told delegates opponents of the assembly had been proved wrong and Wales had shown it handled its affairs "in an open and democratic way". | |
Mr Morgan, who plans to stand down in about 18 months, also cited rising employment as an example of success. | |
He told delegates that the assembly government had demonstrated it can take the big strategic decisions in health, education and the environment. | |
Mr Morgan has held the top job for eight years, but retained it after last year's assembly election only by putting together a coalition with Welsh Labour's traditional opponents, Plaid Cymru. | Mr Morgan has held the top job for eight years, but retained it after last year's assembly election only by putting together a coalition with Welsh Labour's traditional opponents, Plaid Cymru. |
He reported back to his party on a tumultuous 12 months which also saw him taken to hospital for heart treatment as the deal was Plaid was done. | |
The coalition was strongly opposed by some in Labour, but he will say he had to make difficult choices to deliver his party's manifesto. | The coalition was strongly opposed by some in Labour, but he will say he had to make difficult choices to deliver his party's manifesto. |
He pointed to policies on the environment, education and health that are being overseen by Labour ministers in the joint Cabinet. | |
I have been called a 'devosceptic'. No, I am a devorealist Welsh Secretary Paul Murphy, pictured right | I have been called a 'devosceptic'. No, I am a devorealist Welsh Secretary Paul Murphy, pictured right |
On health, Mr Morgan told the conference of ambitious investment in hospitals and other medical facilities. | |
On education, Mr Morgan he outlined how the assembly government planned to tackle the challenges of raising skill levels and training among workers. | |
Mr Morgan, who has announced he will give up the leadership around his 70th birthday in September 2009, pointed to projects - such as new hospitals and railways in the south Wales valleys - that have become a reality. | |
Public services | Public services |
He also believed a decision to make assembly government-owned land available for windfarms was an example of his willingness to tackle difficult questions. | |
The conference saw Gordon Brown make his first visit to Wales since becoming prime minister moving and offered a chance for Labour to rally ahead of May's local elections, when all of Wales' 22 councils are up for grabs. | The conference saw Gordon Brown make his first visit to Wales since becoming prime minister moving and offered a chance for Labour to rally ahead of May's local elections, when all of Wales' 22 councils are up for grabs. |
On Saturday, Welsh Secretary Paul Murphy said the status of the assembly should not be allowed to get in the way of public services. | On Saturday, Welsh Secretary Paul Murphy said the status of the assembly should not be allowed to get in the way of public services. |
"Those are the issues that people care most about and it's delivering those services that should be our priority," he said. | "Those are the issues that people care most about and it's delivering those services that should be our priority," he said. |
"I have been called a 'devosceptic'. No, I am a devorealist." | "I have been called a 'devosceptic'. No, I am a devorealist." |
In a fringe debate on rebuilding support for Labour in the Welsh-speaking communities of west Wales, Counsel General Carwyn Jones said some voters think of Labour as "anti-Welsh". | In a fringe debate on rebuilding support for Labour in the Welsh-speaking communities of west Wales, Counsel General Carwyn Jones said some voters think of Labour as "anti-Welsh". |
The Bridgend AM, a leading contender to take over from Mr Morgan, said: "We are to blame in a way. We allowed Plaid Cymru to say they are the party of Welsh Wales. | The Bridgend AM, a leading contender to take over from Mr Morgan, said: "We are to blame in a way. We allowed Plaid Cymru to say they are the party of Welsh Wales. |
"We were that party until the mid-70s." | "We were that party until the mid-70s." |