Labour offers Wales ‘fresh hope’

Carwyn Jones is looking to form a Labour-only administration in Cardiff

Labour will set out plans to make sure devolution delivers when it publishes its Welsh election manifesto.

The party will promise “fresh hope” for Wales and to “fight for jobs” on Thursday.

Having led the assembly government for the first 12 years of devolution, Labour has promised to make devolution its watchword if it regains power.

The manifesto will contain 400 “action points” and follows Welsh Labour’s biggest ever consultation exercise.

Labour has set out its five key election pledges and is campaigning under the slogan “standing up for Wales”.

The focus on “delivery” follows Mr Jones’s speech to the Welsh Labour conference in February where he promised to make it his watchword.

Under Labour, the assembly government will launch a commission to look at the way all public services are delivered.

There will be a first minister’s delivery unit, similar to one created by Tony Blair, to ensure a “whole government” approach to improving services.

Labour intends the first minister to take direct control over some policy areas, including energy.

There will be a review of the way the civil service in Wales operates, with the suggestion of a training college for elite officials.

The direct law-making powers handed to the assembly by last month’s referendum would be used in a social care bill.

Labour will look at whether a not-for-profit company can be set up to take over the Wales and the Borders rail franchise when it is up for renewal in 2018.

Labour will press for “fairer funding” of the assembly government by the Treasury, but will not seek powers to vary income tax.

In his foreword to the manifesto, Mr Jones says: “We will provide Wales with a beacon of hope that stands in contrast to the cuts of the Tory-led UK coalition government.”

He says the party’s values “lead us to support the development of a more equal society”.

“At the heart of our work, Welsh Labour will fight for jobs and we will campaign for recovery.

“Welsh Labour is on the side of our communities. We represent the values of ordinary families right across Wales. Wales is safe with Labour.”

In his manifesto introduction, shadow welsh secretary Peter Hain says the election is an opportunity for voters to send a message to David Cameron and Nick Clegg “that Wales is being treated unfairly and their deep and savage cuts are hurting but not working”.

He says flagship policies from the first decade of devolution – such as free bus passes for older people and free prescriptions for all – “are at risk under the Tories”.

“You must vote for Carwyn Jones and Welsh Labour if we are to keep these safe,” Mr Hains says.

The document will be launched in the target seat of the Vale of Glamorgan.

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