Morgan aims to boost Labour fortunes

In a bid to boost support for Labour following last year's election losses, Rhodri Morgan is touring Welsh-speaking areas in the west and north of the country.

 

The first minister is accompanying council and parliamentary candidates after losses to Plaid and the Conservatives in particular in those areas of Wales.

 

Labour lost a share of the vote in May with no assembly constituency seat west of the River Loughor or west of Clwyd.

 

This May will see local elections and the party is determined not to make further losses.

 

During the two-day tour of Carmarthenshire, Aberystwyth, Anglesey, Caernarfon and Bangor, Morgan is meeting a range of local people.

 

"The last assembly elections produced a very disappointing set of results for Labour west of the Loughor and west of the Clwyd," he said.

 

"People felt that we had not listened enough to their concerns. That is something I want to put right," he added.

 

In the last assembly election Plaid gained the Llanelli from Labour and the party also lost to the Conservative's Paul Davies in Pembrokeshire.

 

Morgan said he would listen to people's concerns and hopes for their families and communities during the tour.

 

He also defended Labour's record on the Welsh language, saying his politicians were "champions of the language in their communities".

 

"I will take back what I hear and work with my colleagues to deliver better health, better education, greater wealth and stronger communities," he said.