Kirsty Williams says this is the most important Welsh election since devolution The Welsh Liberal Democrats will promise a “relentless” focus on the economy when they launch their assembly election campaign.
Party leader Kirsty Williams said May’s election was the most important Wales has faced since devolution.
The Lib Dems have failed to improve on six seats at the last three assembly elections.
Their policies include a pledge to offer firms £2,000 for staff training if they hire unemployed young people.
It is part of plan to boost the economy, tackle low skills and create jobs.
Ms Williams will call for a “new era of devolution” when she launches the campaign at Coleg Gwent, Newport, on Tuesday. The call follows last month’s referendum vote in favour of direct law-making powers for the assembly.
Her party would tackle a spending gap between schools in England and Wales, promising to target money at the 80,000 pupils who the Lib Dems say need it most.
Cutting out waste in the NHS would mean more resources get to the frontline, the Lib Dems say.
They promise a “radical overhaul” of the energy efficiency of 12,000 homes by doubling the money available for tackling fuel poverty.
And they would cut “restrictions” on local councils, including the number of ring-fenced grants and statutory duties for authorities.
Ms Williams said: “This election is the most important one that Wales has seen since devolution.
“The Welsh people voted to strengthen devolution in the referendum but they also want it to work better.
“A new era of devolution must now begin. This election is about the kind of government that Wales needs.”
She said the Labour-Plaid Cymru coalition government had left Wales with a weak economy, underfunded schools and an NHS that “costs more but delivers less”.
“It is no wonder that Labour and Plaid are so desperate to avoid talking about their record,” she added.
“And they have turned waste and incompetence into an art form. No more excuses. The Welsh Liberal Democrats believe that Wales deserves better.”
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