Brown and his legacy visit Welsh election trail
Gordon Brown joins Labour’s Welsh election campaign trail today, as the party attempts to win votes on the back of its economic record.
Assembly leader Rhodri Morgan has highlighted the 140,000 jobs created since devolution as a key part of his election campaign, claiming Labour has brought economic strength to Wales.
However, his opponents are hoping to capitalise on Labour’s shaky popularity at a national level and highlight Mr Brown’s close relationship with the prime minister.
“As Brown prepares to go solo, we all know his record is Blair’s record. We should never forget that,” urged Jenny Willott, chair of the Welsh Liberal Democrat’s election campaign.
Seemingly likening Tony Blair and Mr Brown to the newly rejuvenated Take That, she continued: “Whenever once popular boy groups split up and go their separate ways there is always a fight over their legacy.
“In this case Gordon Brown cannot escape from his role standing shoulder to shoulder with Blair on Iraq, student fees and ID cards.”
The chancellor supported and funded Mr Blair’s “back catalogue” of Iraq, foundation hospitals, and university tuition and top-up fees, Ms Willott said. “Gordon Brown wrote the cheques for all of Tony Blair’s follies.”
Conservative assembly leader Nick Bourne continued in a similar vein, minus the musical puns. “Along with Tony Blair, Gordon Brown was the chief architect of New Labour. He is part of the problem, not the solution,” he said.
Mr Bourne accused Mr Brown of “robbing” pensioners of their security, taxing families and harming business competitiveness with ‘red tape’.
“His visit is a reminder that whether it’s Gordon Brown, Tony Blair, or Rhodri Morgan, Labour does not have the answers to the problems facing Wales today,” he argued.
Meanwhile Plaid Cymru have been attempting to compete with Labour’s record on jobs, promising to tackle skills shortages across Wales.
If elected, Plaid claim they would create jobs across the country, not just along the M4 and A55 corridor, providing opportunities for older and young workers while maintaining Welsh competitiveness. This would be aided by compulsory education to the age of 18.
Labour is likely to remain the dominant party in the assembly after the May 3rd election but is keen to consolidate its majority. Mr Morgan has been warning of a coalition government containing the Conservatives as a bid to deter voters from the Lib Dems or Plaid Cymru.
