Election 2011 : Weak Too

Another exciting week of electioneering in the Welsh election campaign. At least things are finally starting to heat up a little bit. The manifestos have been launched, but undue attention seems to be paid to the spelling and grammar in them rather than the meatier contents. No wonder education is such a key issue.

Over the next week I'll be looking in detail at what each of the four main parties have put forward, as well as the key pledges from the minor and (currently) unrepresented parties. I'll be explaining how I'll be doing this in more detail tomorrow.

Anyway, here's a quick summary of this weeks election events:

Conservatives:

• Attacked Labour-Plaid's economic record, particularly their failure to attract more inward investment compared to Scotland. Nick Bourne said "more imaginative policies pursued in other parts of the UK have been more successful in in raising prosperity levels and creating new employment opportunities."
• Pledges to keep small schools open. On a visit to Ysgol Gynradd Llwyngwril in Gwynedd, Nick Bourne said that the uncertainty felt by pupils and parents was "unacceptable".
• Unveiled a campaign poster, saying that "Labour brought us to the brink of bankruptcy".
• Launched their manifesto, pledging a "new voice" for Wales and concentrating on the economy. They say they believe Wales could equal UK GVA per capita by 2030 and unveiled several pledges relating to business rates, higher education and transport, including a direct Cardiff-North America air link.

Labour:

• Launched their manifesto in Barry, promising "fresh hope" to Wales, more apprenticeships, flexible primary healthcare, more funding for schools and extra PCSO's........but were left red faced when Llafur was misspelled in the Welsh version of their manifesto.

Liberal Democrats:

• Launched their manifesto in Aberaeron, "Wales can do better", promising a "radical and positive programme" and to cut government waste......but were left red-faced when spelling and grammar errors in both English and Welsh were published.
• Have accused Carwyn Jones of "misleading the public" over a £2000 champagne reception and fundraiser held in London.
• Have attacked David Cameron's immigration comments, with Kirsty Williams describing it as "dog whistle politics".

Plaid Cymru:

• Launched their manifesto in Cardiff, entitled "Ambition is Critical".............but were left red-faced when the title was quoted as attributable to Dylan Thomas (an urban legend), when in fact came from a Swansea civil servant.
• Have pledged to cut AM's pay by 10% and freeze it for the Assembly term.
• Helen Mary Jones outlined some of their health and social services policies in the Western Mail, focusing on : community services, abolishing the all-Wales Ambulance Trust, protecting budgets for mental health, reviewing NHS contracts and an annual health check for early disease intervention.

Minor Parties:

BNP candidate for South Wales West, Sion Owens, was arrested after being filmed burning a Qur'an. He didn't face any charges. They also launched their manifesto in Wrexham to a large assembled crowd.

The Green Party launched their manifesto, pledging to phase out nuclear energy and provide more jobs in a low-carbon economy. They also posted an online video targeting Labour 2nd votes on the regional list.