Campaigning over the border: Wales

Plaid Cymru and the Liberal Democrats today kicked off their general election campaigning in Wales.

In the Plaid manifesto released today, leader Leanne Wood promised an extra 1,000 doctors for NHS Wales and more funding for public services in Wales.

Plaid also wants the devolved Welsh government to be funded to the same level per head of population as the Scottish government. This would amount to approximately £1.2bn extra a year.

Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood is pushing for Wales to receive similar desolved powers to Scotland. Image: National Assembly for Wales

Ms Wood spoke particularly about Plaid playing their part in a possible hung parliament in May’s general election.

She said: “The people of Wales face a real choice at the election. All three Westminster parties are committed to slash and burn economics.

“It is likely that there will be another hung parliament after the election. In that scenario, Plaid Cymru could hold the balance of power alongside our colleagues in the SNP.

“Should that happen, Plaid Cymru will seek a rebalancing of power and wealth in the UK. If the people of Wales return a strong team of Plaid Cymru MPs in May, then Wales will be best placed to secure an outcome to improve the prospects of our people and communities.”

Today Nick Clegg also launched the Welsh Liberal Democrat General Election campaign. Speaking ahead of a visit to Panasonic Manufacturing in Cardiff Central, Clegg said: “Liberal Democrats will continue to build a stronger economy and a fairer society for Wales.  We’ll build on our work in Government to deliver economic growth that benefits all of the UK.

Nick Clegg kicked off the Liberal Democrat campaign in Wales today

“The Tories and Labour’s over-reliance on the financial sector in London didn’t deliver for Wales. With our relentless focus on manufacturing and apprenticeships, we are showing a new way doing things.”

Labour and the Conservatives began their campaigning in Wales yesterday.

Like Plaid, Labour have also promised to train an extra 1,000 doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals, paid for by their planned mansion tax on properties worth over £2 million.

First Minister and Welsh Labour leader Carwyn Jones and Shadow Welsh Secretary Owen Smith were in Ammanford yesterday on the campaign trail.

Mr Jones said: “For five years Welsh Labour has had to stand up for Wales against the damaging cuts of the Tory-led Government in Westminster. The respect agenda we were promised by David Cameron was a sham, and Wales has lost out as a result.

“This election gives us the chance to have two Labour Governments working together in the interests of Wales. That is a future we need to fight for over the next few weeks – a future of co-operation, not more cuts and more conflict.”