3 Votes for Plaid

Today's Welsh national election is our chance to help change our country for the better. In these challenging times Wales needs a strong and ambitious party in government, not more managed decline as offered by the other political parties. Plaid has shown what needs to be done to protect Wales and it’s now time to do more. Raising standards in schools, allowing teachers to teach, creating new jobs, improving our hospitals and protecting our environment are priorities. Reducing and then abolishing the Severn Bridge tolls and redeveloping and reopening our railways as part of the SE Wales Metro are a necessity. If we want an ambitious Welsh Government to get on with the job, then vote for it. So today vote for Wales - an ambitious Wales, a well-educated Wales, a healthier Wales. Remember to vote Plaid three times - for a better Wales.  The Polls open until 10pm tonight! We can change things for the better.

THE CHANGE THAT WALES NEEDS

Plaid Cymru Leader Leanne Wood

Plaid Cymru Leader Leanne Wood has today said that her party offers the "only real hope" of brining about and end to 17 years of unbroken Labour rule in Wales. Latest poll shows Plaid closing gap with Labour by four points in just two weeks.

Speaking to Radio 4's Today programme this morning, Leanne Wood said that Plaid Cymru goes into the Welsh Assembly elections with the most ambitious, transformative and workable programme for government of any party in Wales, and is ready to lead the change Wales needs.

The last three opinion polls in Wales have put Plaid Cymru in second place, overtaking the Tories, in terms of the number of projected seats, setting up the party as the main challenger to the current Labour government before people in Wales go to the polls on May 5th 2016.

Speaking after the Today programme, Party of Wales leader Leanne Wood said:

"With just ten days remaining until people in Wales go to the polls, Plaid Cymru's message is one of hope.

"If you're fed up of growing waiting times, falling standards in our schools and a stagnant economy, use all your votes to elect a Plaid Cymru government on May 5th.

"The current administration's complacency and poverty of ambition is holding our country back, but it doesn't have to be this way.

"The Party of Wales represents the only real hope of ending 17 years of unbroken Labour rule. With the Tories slipping back to third place, we are the main challenger and have closed the gap with them on the regional list vote by four points in just two weeks.

"The momentum is firmly with Plaid Cymru. We are confident that we have the most ambitious, transformative and workable programme for government of any party in Wales, alongside the strong and united team required to deliver it.

"If people want change, they have to vote for it. This election is the greatest opportunity in the Assembly's history to chart a new course for our nation. I urge everyone in Wales to seize it."

STANDING WITH OUR STEEL COMMUNITIES

Ahead of a crucial meeting of the board of Tata Steel to discuss the future of the company’s Port Talbot site, Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood said:

“This is a difficult day for those working in the steel industry as they wait to hear for a decision on the future of Port Talbot steelworks. Wales has a long tradition of steel production, and the industry could have a good future here with the right support from government.

“It is important is that Tata knows that the whole country is behind the workforce and that there is a great commitment to the steel industry and its workforce here, and I hope that the Welsh Government has communicated that to senior management at the company.

"We have a skilled and experienced steel workforce in Wales and I hope that the Welsh Government will be proactive as it fights for their future.”

Plaid Cymru South Wales West AM Bethan Jenkins said:

“The people of Port Talbot face a difficult wait for news today. Given the gravity of the decision being taken today, the Welsh Government should be proactive in seeking to protect the future of steel production in Wales.

That's why I cannot understand why the Labour Welsh Government has not sent a representative to Mumbai today to make the case for Welsh steel directly to the board. Neither is the Conservative Secretary of State for Wales present. This industry is too important to lose and I hope that both governments have made serious representations to the company.”