Wales: Education is a key election issue

Election campaigning in Wales is continuing, with the emphasis shifting to schools, families and the economy.

The Welsh Conservatives set out their manifesto for schools, putting the emphasis on classroom discipline, abolishing student fees and strengthening the exams system.

David Davies, education spokesman in the Cardiff assembly and candidate in the Monmouth constituency, said teachers should be given the power to make decisions for themselves.

His party's policies would also allow them to work in an environment free from violence and bureaucracy, Davies said.

"Labour's education policy is like a cup of cappuccino - all froth and bubbles but little substance," he said.

"Mr Blair may say education is at the top of his agenda, but still too many children are leaving school without the decent start they deserve.

"We need a new approach to education in Wales after six years of Labour failure and Labour interference."

Ceredigion

Elsewhere in Wales, the Liberal Democrats are seeking to boost their campaign in the Ceredigion constituency.

The Lib Dems were some 4,000 votes behind Plaid Cymru's Simon Thomas in 2001.

While Thomas will be hopeful of holding on to the seat, the Lib Dems say they are in with a chance.

Local candidate Mark Williams says his campaign so far has gone well.

The Lib Dems point to "apparent complacency from Plaid Cymru".

Campaigning in Aberystwyth on Thursday, Welsh Lib Dem leader Lembit Opik said that after talking to the people in Ceridigion, he believed that "the post-general election political map of Wales will look like a Jaffa Cake – with a smashing orangey bit through the centre".

"We already hold Brecon and Radnorshire and my seat in Montgomeryshire," he said.

"Ceredigion is the missing piece of the geographical jigsaw. With Cardiff Central, the Lib Dems are set to become the second party of Wales.

"I am here to make one message absolutely clear to voters in Ceredigion: in any realistic scenario, Labour and the Conservatives simply can't win this election in Ceredigion.

"The plain truth is that voting for Mark Williams is the only real alternative the nationalists in this election in this seat."

Plaid plans

Meanwhile, Plaid Cymru has set out its plans to reinvigorate the South Wales valleys by creating a 'City of the Valleys'.

There would be a transportation 'super grid', with a public transport service every 10 minutes between the hubs on the grid.

Plaid also backed the development of a major concert hall for the area, a large sports complex, regional arts facilities and a science centre.

"If the area of the South Wales valleys was planned as a city, it could acquire some of the facilities, dynamism and investment that usually characterise more conventional cities of that size elsewhere," said Adam Price, the party's economic spokesman.

"There is so much potential in the Valleys that has not been realised because of their decades of mismanagement under New Labour.

"Plaid Cymru is looking at the valleys in terms of their potential rather than their problems.

"These flagship projects should feature exciting modern architecture - they would be icons of the new Valleys"

Families first

Welsh Labour on Thursday set out its pledges for families, pledging to allow every child to reach their full potential.

"Labour believes we can't fulfil our country's potential unless every child is given the best chance to succeed in life," said paymaster general Dawn Primarolo.

"Today's children are tomorrow's teachers, doctors, scientists and engineers.

"Their success will be determined by how well we prepare them today."