GROWING GREEN JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Whether they are based in Westminster or based in Cardiff, we need our governments to actively develop of an energy strategy that will deliver sustainable secure energy and energy jobs for our communities in the 21st Century - leaving strategic energy planning decisions to a free market - is a no brainer and entirely irresponsible. The concept of Green Jobs and the economic contribution that they can make to our communities and to the Welsh economy is now well recognised by most people.

Across Europe, some countries have made more progress than others - some 250,000 people work in the alternative energy industry in Germany compared as opposed to barely 25,000 here in the UK, clearly more work needs to be done if our communities are going to reap the benefits of green energy jobs and secure energy. A Green Energy Jobs Strategy is an important component to sustainable prosperity, a stable economy and secure energy supplies.

The Plaid driven One Wales Government needs to work towards improving the efficiency of business operations and production processes to reduce CO2 equivalent emissions and to cut down on waste. We need to pursue the development of new cleaner technologies and processes for businesses and promote the use of sustainable infrastructures with regard to energy and waste.

We need new local authority planning guidelines and the introduction of feed-in tariffs to rapidly promote the incorporation of small-scale renewable energy installations in individual buildings and groups of buildings across Wales. To make this happen, we needs an energy strategy that will create realistic job opportunities for our people and take full advantage of the extraordinary natural resources we have available. If this happens, then there is no reason why we should not be amongst the most progressive countries in the field of alternative energy and green jobs.

The Plaid driven One Wales Government has allocated an initial £15m of funding to help Welsh community organisations invest in technology to generate clean, renewable energy – this is good start but more clearly can be done. While this is good news, but we need local plans to develop local energy plans, local energy supplies and welcome the development of community owned and community beneficial sustainable energy plants. We need new local authority planning guidelines and proper feed-in tariffs to rapidly promote the incorporation of small-scale renewable energy installations and much better insulation in individual homes, commercial and public buildings and groups of buildings - this is essential.

If we are going to make any of this happen, we needs a realistic and flexible energy strategy that will allow and encourage the creation of sustainable green energy job opportunities for our people and take full advantage of the extraordinary natural resources we in Wales are blessed with. If this happens, then there is absolutely no reason why Wales should not be amongst the most progressive countries in the field of sustainable alternative energy and sustainable green jobs and the UK can end its dependence on fuel supplies from unstable regions and unsavory regimes.

To make this happen we need more Plaid MP's in Westminster, MP's who will fight for their communities MP's who will make a real difference, instead of merely taking the money and parroting the line of their London based masters. In Wales, there is a real choice, Plaid offers a sensible different choice and we have different priorities - looking after pensioners, protecting our schools and hospitals and making sure our economy comes out of recession. Think Different. Think Plaid

MAKING CHOICES

Only a strong Plaid team of MP's who can act as local champions for their constituents can be trusted to break the Westminster bubble and deliver the best deal for the communities of Wales in a hung or balanced Parliament. Our communities have been particularly ill-served by New Labour and previous more Conservative Governments. The last thing our communities in Wales need is more of the same, it was politics as usual got us into this sleaze ridden mess, as did MP's who sought to further their political careers within their London based parties, at the expense of their constituents needs e.g. Jessica Morden (Newport East) and Wayne David (Caerphilly) to name but two.

We need independently minded MP's who will stand up for their constituents needs and aspirations and the issues that really matter, who will be much more than mere lobby fodder. Whether you live in Amlwych or Chepstow only Plaid MP's can be counted on to put the needs of their communities first. There is a real danger that this Westminster election campaign will turn into an argument between Brown, Clegg and Cameron about who is going to cut the hardest and the deepest, so that they can continue to bail out their banker chums in the City.

It's worth remembering that it was New Labour and the Conservatives who were willing to allow the deregulation of the banks and the subsequent mismanagement of the UK’s finances. It was these same London parties – Labour, the Tories and the Lib Dems – who are more than happy to be bought (sorry funded) by the same big corporations, the same banks and city financiers who helped get us into this economic mess in the first place. This is the real legacy of the cosy Westminster club and you wonder why people feel let down and disillusioned.

However, to coin a phrase it does not have to be this way - there is a real choice available in Wales. Only Plaid can be depended upon to ensure greater support for our pensioners and fairer funding for the Welsh budget to protect jobs, schools and hospitals, with more Plaid MP's we can guarantee that the needs of Wales will count for something, especially within a hung parliament and get a better deal for Wales.

Plaid MP and leader of the Westminster group, Elfyn Llwyd said:

“Plaid MPs are now synonymous with ambitious campaigns motivated by justice and fairness – whether it was the Impeachment campaign against Blair or compensation for miners – there are examples of issues where Plaid has led the way. It is undoubtedly because of Plaid MPs’ repeated efforts to hold the Government to account over the illegality of the immoral Iraq War that the current Chilcot Inquiry is underway – one which we hope will finally get to the truth of the matter. No other party has been consistent over Iraq and now we are the only party to being calling for a phased withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan.

“Plaid is the party that can be trusted to care about business growth, to care about our communities, to care about creating a better future for the people of Wales. But We need an even stronger team in Westminster. My appeal is that people do not waste their vote on May the 6th on yet another Labour, Tory or Lib Dem MP to toe their London party line. Vote for an independent-thinking Plaid MP who puts your area first. “With the likely outcome of a more balanced parliament following this election, we can guarantee that the greater the vote for Plaid – the better the deal for Wales.”

Thats the only real choice on the ballot paper come May 6th...

THINK DIFFERENT - INVEST IN RAIL

The National Assembly’s recent commitment to finish the work on Gaer junction, so that direct trains can run between Newport and Ebbw Vale is to be warmly welcomed, along with a possible new railway station in Ebbw Vale town centre and an hourly service. Much more obviously needs to be done, and despite the threat of potential or immanent cuts, there is much that can be done to improve our rail services.

There is a need for railway station's at Caerleon and Magor and consideration should be given to reopening the line to Usk from Little Mill, There have been improvements at Severn Tunnel Junction, there is room for improvements in facilities and access at Caldicot, Chepstow and Abergavenny Stations, not to mention more frequent stopping services.

We also need get freight off the roads and onto the rails which would along with rail electrification cut both pollution and road congestion. If Government wants to change the way we use public transport when we need a public transport system that’s fit for purpose and fit for us to use.

A CASE OF QUALITY NOT QUANTITY

Plaid MP's have always punched above it weight at Westminster, a real case of quality rather than quantity, something that the Independent (Wednesday 10th February 2010) amongst others has noticed. It was Plaid who drew attention to Blair and Mittal's £2m, and Plaid who began to the process of shining some light in relation to the Cash for Honours scandal. Not to mention the attempt to impeach Tony Blair. The 3 Plaid MP's (Elfyn Llwyd, Adam Price and Hwyel Williams ) have, the Independent noted have had more effect on Parliament than the entire Liberal Democrats, all 62 of them. It will be interesting to see what happens when Plaid doubles it's number of MP's!